using heatshrink

[royalton10]

I had to install a new doorbell button. The wires in the wall barely stick out of wall 1/2" and I look to solder a short piece onto the end of what is there so I can make the connections.

I have never used heat shrink before. Someone told me I can use a lighter or flame to shrink the heat shrink. How reliable is this? Am I better off just using some electrical tape the best I can and go on.

Curious to get some thoughts and insights. Best way to use heat shrink, etc.

Thanks!!

 

[Stuart in MN]

Shrink tube is much better than tape. A heat gun is the best choice for shrinking it, but a lighter will work as well if you're careful - just keep moving it around so you shrink the tube evenly, if you hold the flame in one spot too long it can damage the tube, and melt the insulation on the wire underneath.

There are different sizes of shrink tube, don't use one that's too big as it won't shrink down far enough (it's easy to do a test on a scrap of the tube so you can tell beforehand.) Use one piece for each wire, and then if you want you can put a second larger piece over both to lock it all together.

 

[hammlm]

Heat gun works best, but you could use your wife's hair dryer in a pinch -- high heat, low speed.

 

[Falcon67]

Clean the tip of the soldering iron and gently rub it, or better part of the body of the iron, on the tube to shrink it. Too much will blister it, but easy does it and it'll **** right up.

 

[rquackenbush]

After getting tired of fooling with heat shrink tubing, I tried the liquid electric tape and have been pleased so far. It's not as attractive as a good heat shrink tubing job, but it's supposed to be really good at holding moisture out.

 

[VHF]

I've always ended up burning something trying to use a flame for heat-shrink.

Heat gun works best, but you could use your wife's hair dryer in a pinch -- high heat, low speed.

And you can partly block the air inlets with your hand to generate even higher heat for the shrink wrap! (Although I cannot say what this will due for the longevity of your wife's hair dryer!)

My wife got me a heat gun for Christmas last year so now I can heat-shrink with no problems and not risk burning out her hair dryer!

 

[Steevo]

Heat guns are $12.95 at Harbor Freight (I paid $9.95 on sale).
Mine has lasted 4 years so far, and shrunk a lot of tubing, removed a lot of decals, and burned the $#!t out of my hand a couple of times.
If it failed tomorrow, I got my money's worth from it.

http://www.harborfreight.com/1500-watt-dual-temperature-heat-gun-572-1112-96289.html