Heat shrink connectors

Stoonly

Hi, anyone out there had experience with the self soldering heat shrink connectors. From what I've seen they look ok if used correctly, I can solder, but they look like a good option for joining in hard to reach places like behind the dash, and as we all know our older Volvo's wiring is getting to be a big issue as they age. There also seems to be a lot of suppliers are they all the same?

Thoughts!

past_the_moon

Stoonly Give them a shot on some simple things and see how they go. I used some once. went OK. so easy to think you're a crack-hot solderer until you burn a mark in the carpet or interior … hmmm. Even had professional do that to my car once. so much rubbish solder out there too - that is one area to be sure of your supplier before handing over the cash.

one important fact with old wiring is to never spray it with WD sprays. they make wiring go brittle before too long. keep it soft and flexible with lanolin, or maybe castor oil. CO is safe on all rubbers too.

Major Ledfoot

Maybe it's the Old Fashioned Grumpy Bastard Tech in me, but I prefer to solder wires myself, then heat shrink the tubing over the top of the joint. At least then I know for sure there's no dry joints before shrinking the insulation over the top.

So - no, I haven't used these things, and I doubt that I would.

TL_V70

Major Ledfoot

I 100% agree with Major Ledfoot don't waste your time or money on them. There as useful as Scotch locks

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Stoonly

Hi Major, that's my thoughts exactly, thanks.

johna

I bought some and have used them for a few things. They are easy to use and look like they work well. I don't trust them yet, but for no good reason.

jamesinc

They work fine, but I don't think they are necessary if you are handy with a soldering iron.

Whether you use a heatshrink solder joint or not, you want it to be mechanically strong. The wires take any tension and the solder just stops them unwinding.

VolvoHordz

My go to approach is an uninsulated crimp join and then cover it in glue lined heat shrink. You can even get cable joiner crimps with integrated strain relievers. No particular experience with this specific supplier but something like this - https://jaydeeautocables.com.au/products/brass-splice-terminal-h1859

Slowbrick

I put together a K-Jet to LH2.4 harness with them back in about 2016. The ones that I installed then are still in there now and I havent really had any issue with them. I have since about 2018 moved to the crimp style as they are much faster and get a nice tight lock when used with a crimper with a half decent die. Ive used these for engine work, audio, motorbikes, boats basically everything and im yet to have one let me down that was installed correctly.

I use a Ryobi 18v heatgun and it makes wiring in tight places so easy and simple. They are glue lined so keep out moisture which is a huge problem where I live due to being about 300 metres from the ocean. I would recommend the crimp style over the just solder style for the speed and mechanical strength alone.

This is the style i'm talking about. Havent bought from this seller but these are the connectors: https://rhinotools.com.au/product/heatshrink-butt-connectors-blue/

Stoonly

Thanks everyone, totally agree with all the comments, main reason for asking is wiring in a new sound system and trying to use as much existing loom as possible. so not a lot of room behind the dash, I like the look of the crimped heat shrink Slowbrick, thanks everyone., this is where this forum shines!