Waterproof Solderless Heat Shrink Butt Terminal on sale

Buggs67 · Dec 17, 2023

These connectors are on sale right now at Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T1HYJ9G/ref=twister_B08HLLPW6V?_encoding=UTF8&th=1

Dftodd · Dec 18, 2023

Coworker ordered a couple kits of butt splices from Amazon for our work trucks.

To tell you the truth, I was disappointed. The kit seemed really nice. But the metal they use is way too soft so the crimp is extremely weak.

MAX-24-Dean · Dec 18, 2023

I have quit using amazon except for name brand items where I know the quality before I purchase.
Amazon to me, turned into a real crapshoot with some items being counterfeit or lacking in quality.
The old adage, "you get what you pay for" has started to make me rethink a lot of purchases after having several items in a row not pan out.

CADplans · Dec 18, 2023

I quit buying ANY alkaline battery,, ANY ,, because they are all counterfeit!!

It started on Amazon, then even Energizers from Sam's Club must be counterfeit.
I say that, because now, even Duracell, and Energizer batteries leak!!

I only use Amazon rechargeable now,, more $$$ , but, NO LEAKAGE corrosion!!

So, if all alkaline batteries seem to be counterfeit, ANYTHING can be!!

Eagle1 · Dec 18, 2023

Dftodd said:
Coworker ordered a couple kits of butt splices from Amazon for our work trucks.

To tell you the truth, I was disappointed. The kit seemed really nice. But the metal they use is way too soft so the crimp is extremely weak.

Most of these are not crimp but solder and shrink with a heat gun. Works well but really hard if you get lazy and try a lighter....
Soft metal inside is just a tin solder not crimp sleeve.

Eagle1 · Dec 18, 2023

Camofurever1 · Dec 18, 2023

Eagle1 said:

Is there any flux included in these? The completed solder joint looked like a bad solder joint, like no flux was used in the connection. There were strands of wire that didn't have any solder on them.

LittleBill21 · Dec 18, 2023

these come up a bit, they work fine if your patient, i actually made a video, because everyone said how much they suck and aren't strong.

link to what i used is in the video

etpm · Dec 18, 2023

Camofurever1 said:
Is there any flux included in these? The completed solder joint looked like a bad solder joint, like no flux was used in the connection. There were strands of wire that didn't have any solder on them.

I bought a set of these butt splice waterproof connectors. The metal alloy used of course melts at a very low temperature. As near as I can tell there is no flux. Anyway, before trusting the connectors I tested them. If CLEAN copper wire is used then the alloy wets the wire just fine and the joint is mechanically sound. Oxidized copper wire WILL NOT be wetted and the joint will fail. For making up butt splices with clean wire when all you have is a heat gun or similar these connectors seem to be fine. I will be using them for some joints.
Eric

Dftodd · Dec 19, 2023

Eagle1 said:
Most of these are not crimp but solder and shrink with a heat gun. Works well but really hard if you get lazy and try a lighter....
Soft metal inside is just a tin solder not crimp sleeve.

Your just assuming. The kits we have are crimp with heat shrink on the ends. Not a solder connection.

Eagle1 · Dec 19, 2023

Dftodd said:
Your just assuming. The kits we have are crimp with heat shrink on the ends. Not a solder connection.

True and why I said "most", as usual the assume rule is true for me.

Dftodd · Dec 19, 2023

Eagle1 said:
True and why I said "most", as usual the assume rule is true for me.

I posted because his link above said "Waterproof Solderless" was the same kits my coworker purchased for the work trucks.

I test the crimp before heat shrinking the ends by giving the wires a tug. The last thing I need or want is to get called back by a pi$$Ed off customer because my repair didn't hold.

That's when I discovered that it's super flimsy metal inside those connectors and you only get a half arsed crimp on them.

Eagle1 · Dec 19, 2023

The link goes to the solder type connectors thus my bad assumption

Color	RED BLUE YELLOW WHITE
Gauge	10,12,14,16,18,20,22,24,26
Connector Type	Solder
Contact Material	Tin
Insulation Material	Polyethylene

RjCorazza · Dec 19, 2023

I have never used the connectors being discussed. I prefer old school soldering with heat shrink tubing. Learning to solder at a young age is a skill that has served me well for the last 50 years.

LD1 · Dec 19, 2023

The good name brand ones are worth their price. Molex or Nytex are really good connectors.

I agree that I think some of the confusion is people are trying to crimp the ones designed to be soldered. but yes, there are cheap butt connectors that are designed to be crimped that just suck and the metal is indeed thin. But that hasnt changed.....there were cheap crappy connectors before the heat-shrink ones became more popular and common.

Soldering....as in "old school" is actually not an approved method of repair by many OEM's. Its not without faults. The heating and wicking of the solder can damage insulation, and leave a stiff joint that is prone to breakage with vibration or movement.

Im sure there are gonna be alot of people that say "I have never had any issues with solder and been doing it for 30 years"....well there are gonna be an equal number that can say the same things about butt connectors.

OEM's use crimp fittings. Both can fail if done improperly. But a crimped fitting done properly vs a soldered fitting done properly....the crimped fitting is gonna outlast the soldered one is most scenerios

bdhsfz6 · Dec 19, 2023

Dftodd said:
Coworker ordered a couple kits of butt splices from Amazon for our work trucks.

To tell you the truth, I was disappointed. The kit seemed really nice. But the metal they use is way too soft so the crimp is extremely weak.

I use these connectors and I agree about the weak crimp. This can be minimized if the shrink bonds correctly with the wire insulation but this doesn't always happen.

The product I received does not solder and needs to be crimped. This may be the reason it is on sale.
There is a newer version available:

Amazon.com

LittleBill21 · Dec 19, 2023

bdhsfz6 said:
I use these connectors and I agree about the weak crimp. This can be minimized if the shrink bonds correctly with the wire insulation but this doesn't always happen.

The product I received does not solder and needs to be crimped. This may be the reason it is on sale.
There is a newer version available:

Amazon.com

my youtube video above demonstrates these

D&D · Dec 19, 2023

bdhsfz6 said:
I use these connectors and I agree about the weak crimp. This can be minimized if the shrink bonds correctly with the wire insulation but this doesn't always happen.

The product I received does not solder and needs to be crimped. This may be the reason it is on sale.
There is a newer version available:

Amazon.com

A good crimp tool is also a must have.

https://www.zoro.com/static/cms/product/large/Grainger_TRxx490xxrgbxx3490db.jpg

caver · Dec 19, 2023

At the power plant we used Sta-Kon or Thomas Betts for the small stuff. I think I recall a Panduit box of crimps possibly some other name brands. Our crimp storage was supplied by the local electrical supply house. I bought some amazon crimps and they were slightly stiffer than putty. My favorite crimp tool is the Klein with the dimple.