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I need to fix a 4-wire video cable for my car's backup camera. I have an accessory plug in my SUV's cargo area but it's not powerful enough for my soldering iron and there's no other power outlet in our communal parking garage to plug into.
Any recommendations for those solderless, heat-shrink style butt connectors that I can use with a lighter? These wires are very thin--maybe 24 or 26 gauge. My plan is to use these splices and then slip another heat shrink tube over the bundle and heat shrink them together to strengthen the cable.
Thanks
Paul
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They make a heat shrink tube with a solder ball in the middle. Use a torch to shrink and melt on one operation. But, if you have torch, conventional soldering works too. Just don't burn down the garage. They also make screw together butt splices. I keep a few in my car for emergencies.
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10-16-2018, 09:01 AM
(This post was last modified: 10-16-2018, 09:05 AM by Cooler.)
Or a Weller butane soldering iron. It works anywhere:
https://www.amazon.com/Weller-Gas-Solder...ering+iron
For about the same price they make a rechargeable version.
https://www.amazon.com/Weller-BL60MP-Sol...ering+iron
Or a 50 foot extension cord for your existing soldering iron.
Or an AC inverter
https://www.amazon.com/Ampeak-400W-Power...er+for+car
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(10-16-2018, 03:52 AM)atgcpaul Wrote: I need to fix a 4-wire video cable for my car's backup camera. I have an accessory plug in my SUV's cargo area but it's not powerful enough for my soldering iron and there's no other power outlet in our communal parking garage to plug into.
Any recommendations for those solderless, heat-shrink style butt connectors that I can use with a lighter? These wires are very thin--maybe 24 or 26 gauge. My plan is to use these splices and then slip another heat shrink tube over the bundle and heat shrink them together to strengthen the cable.
Thanks
Paul
you might want to try these
https://www.google.com/search?q=dolphin+...e&ie=UTF-8
they will take a small wire
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Dolphin connectors work well. If the wires are the right gauge, I would just use waterproof (silicone-filled) wire nuts. There's no reason to get fancy.
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I was going to suggest gel-filled telephone splice connectors (on the hook at the BORG), but those butt splices look good, and they're smaller than the round button type, too.
Tom
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Thanks! I like those Dolphin connectors! I've used those button connectors, too, but they're a little bulky.
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10-16-2018, 11:43 AM
(This post was last modified: 10-16-2018, 11:44 AM by TDKPE.)
Butt connectors may be a bit bulky for slipping a heat-shrink tube over and still getting it to shrink small enough to seal the exposed wires at each end. Unless you stagger the splices, which will help.
Consider using coax sealant tape, which bonds to itself and is waterproof. Similar to rigging tape for sailboats, it has a layer of plastic on one side to keep it from sticking to itself until it's applied. Peel it, pull it tight and wrap, and it should hang tough for a long time.
https://www.amazon.com/Lysignal-Waterpro...0693&psc=1
Tom
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(10-16-2018, 09:38 AM)FS7 Wrote: Dolphin connectors work well. If the wires are the right gauge, I would just use waterproof (silicone-filled) wire nuts. There's no reason to get fancy.
This.
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Spliced the four tiny pairs of wires with the Dolphin crimps and then made them sturdy with some heatshrink tubing. All better now.
Thanks
Paul