Product review, self soldering heat shrink connectors

Mailman · Oct 19, 2021

So a while back I bought a box of self soldering heat shrink connectors in assorted sizes from Amazon.

I tried them for the first time today, I made three wire connections. At first I thought they did a pretty good job, they looked to be tinned over the connection and I really liked the way the heat shrink tubing with the blue hot glue melted down and held the wire securely.

Closer inspection however revealed wires that had no solder on them, so I cut the heat shrink off one of them so I could get a better look. The solder was sketchy at best, only connected here and there.

I am going back to my old dependable soldering iron. I should’ve known, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. I won’t use them again.

Conclusion………..? Spend your money on something else!

gggGary · Oct 19, 2021

"Bob the test guy"
Thanks 4 the heads up.

GLJ · Oct 19, 2021

Mailman said:
I am going back to my old dependable soldering iron.

Old School is dependable.

mrtwowheel · Oct 19, 2021

Good concept, but disappointing. I had a great experience, I think, with a connecting/heat shrink kit that I bought at Menards to connect an old underground feeder line to a new wire for my shed. After lengthening the trench it was just too easy to believe.

Scott

PS I dug the trench at night in the dark with flashlights, just to give the neighbors something to talk about.

Jim · Oct 19, 2021

Tech tip: Dip one end of the wire in some soldering paste (flux), put 'em together and add heat. Works a treat.
Go on... you know you want to try it. :sneaky:

Jim · Oct 19, 2021

Add more heat too. They may just be Chinese junk.... but maybe not...

Mailman · Oct 19, 2021

Jim said:
Tech tip: Dip one end of the wire in some soldering paste (flux), put 'em together and add heat. Works a treat.
Go on... you know you want to try it.

You must be reading my mind. I put that post up and then stopped for dinner. I got to thinking about it and wondered how a little flux paste would work on that. It did melt the solder, it just didn’t flow very well. I haven’t thrown them out yet!

gggGary · Oct 19, 2021

grape minds :sneaky:

mrtwowheel · Oct 19, 2021

What I've learned about solder. I have one hell of a time soldering with lead-free solder. I use the electrical solder with lead from Mexico, there is NO comparison for me. You just may have the problematic lead-free solder in there.

Scott

Jim · Oct 19, 2021

Had a conversation with Bob earlier. Silly me, just assumed the instructions said to use flux. We used solder sleeves in the Air Force. I loved 'em. 'course, those were 4-5 bucks a piece. Raychem I think... :umm:

We were trained to use flux.

jetmechmarty · Oct 20, 2021

Otherwise, I prefer naked butt splices. I heat shrink over them.

Adamc · Oct 20, 2021

jetmechmarty said:
Otherwise, I prefer naked butt splices. I heat shrink over them.

Oooooh You are naughty!!!!

RC4MAN · Oct 20, 2021

I bought some a couple years back, have used them a few times and for the most part they have worked pretty well. Been using a lighter to heat them with.

jetmechmarty · Oct 20, 2021

I expect flux to fix it. I await the proof.

DogBunny · Oct 20, 2021

Good review, and good tip on using flux. I've used them, they're okay. Even if the solder doesn't really melt you still get a decent compression connection.

HOWEVER: If you aren't using open barrel connectors, you are stuck in the dark ages. I made a video that I featured in another thread on open barrel SPLICE connectors, but I also cover other open barrel connectors, and I even touch on Mailman's heat-shrink solder connectors. Here's the video:

gggGary · Oct 20, 2021

That's incredible!
bend.......... cut. :wink2:

Good stuff DB

Adamc · Oct 20, 2021

gggGary said:
That's incredible!
bend.......... cut.
Good stuff DB

Yeah, I liked that bit too: 'Just break this off'.......Fumble Fumble.......'Just cut this off'; If he wasn't filming it would have just snapped right off.

Jan_P · Oct 20, 2021

Might help someone
I have had problems with almost every added or stock connector and when I get fed up as in fault finding
a system and want to ensure a connection
I cut off the connector --strip the wires ---- put on a piece of heat shrink on one wire --- twist them together -- with the wires pointing in the same direction ---- then fold back the one wire --the twisted pair is then sticking out perpendicular to the wires ..this is not good I know that .. Then I have a large soldering iron much larger than for electronics more in the size for tin Smiths ----I put that under the twisted pair and since they are together they dont separate if one fumbles a bit they are still together ..After a while the twist gets warm and on the top side i touch it with a solder wire and feed tin until I can see it wetting the entire twist. flowing out
Then if needed it can be cut down .and then pull over the heat shrink -use a heat gun to shrink it
There will be a uneven spot on the shrink.
But this I find as a working fail safe so far solution Without pliers connectors ..and is in my view not difficult to do
No need for steady hands and perfect eyesight.
And the electrical connection is there.
If one needs to separate I just cut it off with pliers

nj1639 · Oct 20, 2021

^
I started splicing and soldering as you mention Jan, but now overlap the stripped ends and twist them together, no right angle bump after the heat shrink is added. A quick flowing solder is the best.
Now I happily search for crimp connectors to redo.........
Yeah, right.

GLJ · Oct 20, 2021

I was taught to make a Western Union splice and then solder it. After that either good electrical tape or heat shrink tubing. I have never had 1 fail.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Union_splice

Product review, self soldering heat shrink connectors

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