[TD in DC]

http://www.calcentron.com/Pages/fusi...at_shrink.html

This would be used for splicing in a length of wire into a 12V power source.

I have a professional heat gun.

Where does this rank in terms of low profile permanent connectors in protected, dry environments (never below 0 degrees and never about 120 degrees)?

[edevinney]

I don't like it. Solder should be applied by heating the work, letting that melt the solder and having it wick into the joint. This method heats the solder first, I would fear a cold joint.

A decent crimp connection would be better IMO.

[VaSteve]

Seems like a pain in the ass. You have to hold all three parts (both wires and this butt splice) in place and hit it with heat. I'm not really sure what kind of heat gun you have or it requires but the only thing I can think of is one of those paint stripping guns that get really hot. I don't think I'd want to use this where I think you're planning to use it....inside the car, close to carpet, plastic and leather.

Inside the car, I'm with Ed, just crimp it in...save yourself the hassle.

[edevinney]

Originally Posted by edevinney

A decent crimp connection would be better IMO.

** Where decent means not one of those blue thingies that you clip & crimp into an existing wire to tap. The blade in those damages the wire.

[Rob in VA]

Butt Connectors. Paging Dr. PK...

[TD in DC]

I was told that these connectors are used in for aircraft, and that the solder is a relatively low temp solder that will not result in cold joints. Also, I don't see how this would be any more difficult than normal soldering. You can just get some thermal shielding, or even a board, and place the wire over the shielding. The tubing is transparent, so you can see how your work is progressing, and apparently the tubing begins to shrink first so it helps to keep the wiring in place. I have never used it before, but was tempted.

[87turbolook911]

What in the world are you installing into the new car???

I just use traditional butt connectors....never had one fail. Just use a good crimper and crimp it correctly.

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by TD in DC

I was told that these connectors are used in for aircraft...I have never used it before, but was tempted.

Translation: "I already bought it."

[thomschoon]

Solder usually melts around 190C, there are some heat shrink tubings that can handle that temp so it kind of makes sense, except for the price per joint. I wonder who actually makes the stuff

[APKhaos]

I was told that these connectors are used in for aircraft, and that the solder is a relatively low temp solder that will not result in cold joints.

Mil Spec says soldered joints are verboten in harness wiring. Soldering creates conditions that can lead to joint degradation and wire failure due to work hardening. I $hit you not. Crimped connectors are the standard approach, and have been for decades.

Maybe the specs are different for general aviation, but AFAIK commercial and military are still crimp-only for harness wiring.

All that said, I've committed quite a few 'twisted wires wrapped in black electrical tape' splices in various cars with consistent success.
Think of all the fun I missed worrying over the hundreds of splicing/joining options that COULD have been used.