Sometimes you have to be a magician.... or smart. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: eTobey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2024, 04:26:28 pm
content: I had a big smile on my face, after i executed my idea, that actually worked quite well.Made a coax probe, and needed an additional shrinking tube on it (over the red piece), but it couldnt be put on, as there was that pin in the way. And that pin was quite a bit of struggle to put there.Maybe someone else will run into this problem one day, and this would help.Spot the magic that i applied. (with the tongue at the right angle)

author: Zoli
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2024, 04:32:25 pm
content: Yes, some heat shrink tubing can be re-extended and shrinked back a couple of times(max I've done is 3).Note: don't try with Teflon.

author: eTobey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2024, 04:50:48 pm
content: Dont try what with Teflon?

author: Zoli
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2024, 05:14:30 pm
content: Quote from: eTobey on December 30, 2024, 04:50:48 pmExpand and re-shrink the Teflon heat shrink; an example:http://cdn.techflex.com/assets/pdfs/catalog/hfa.pdf. With the usual Polyolefin works, up to 3 times.

author: eTobey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2024, 05:32:32 pm
content: Wow. Never knew that there were other shrink tubes. Are there any other?

author: Zoli
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2024, 05:37:09 pm
content: Quote from: eTobey on December 30, 2024, 05:32:32 pmCheck the offer on Digikey:https://www.digikey.com/en/products/filter/heat-shrink-tubing/483Note: good job to observe the possibility.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2024, 05:50:04 pm
content: Quote from: eTobey on December 30, 2024, 05:32:32 pmTons more.Polyolefin (which is really a broad family of compounds) is the most common. PVC is common for battery packs. Teflon is for "common" high temperature use. You can also get Viton and other polymers.The wildest selection of exotic heat shrink materials I have found, by far, is from Daburn, a company perhaps better known for the large selection of exotic wires and cables they sell:https://www.daburn.com/shrinkabletubing.aspxPEEK heat shrink is fascinating; it's a normally quite rigid plastic, used for its high and low temperature tolerance, chemical resistance, low outgassing, and resistance to radiation. It's also very expensive (e.g. around $2 for a 7"/160mm zip tie, in a pack of 100). Imagine my surprise when I found Daburn selling it as heat shrink!

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2024, 05:52:15 pm
content: Quote from: eTobey on December 30, 2024, 04:26:28 pmNice!4:1 heatshrink is amazing, by the way. Would easily fit over the SMA connector there.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2024, 06:14:45 pm
content: I am thinking that if you can't do heat shrink it might be better to tie it up with some lace and put liquid rubber on it.I strongly suggest not to make a habbit out of this, because heat shrink can burst. I saw it once, the heat shrink split like a ripe banana and fell off!!!! It can literately split open if you mess with it too much!and it did not happen immediately, it looked great, and a while later I see it is burst.and this was 3m brand from DKNow I always consider what can happen if it bursts. If I have to do anything I will cut it off and put a new one, even if it means workI think people over estimate its reliability

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2024, 10:37:27 pm
content: Other optionsSilicone tape:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000592790143.htmlSelf bonding rubber tape:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000664188993.htmlCloth harness tape:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003892664824.htmlHot glue

author: eTobey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2024, 11:30:10 pm
content: What advantage would a cloth harness tape have againts electrical tape?I can imagine it can burn, if you got the wrong quality.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2024, 11:51:06 pm
content: Electrical tape tends to degrade with time and the adhesive gets nasty and difficult to clean.PVC/Vinyl electrical tape is rated to ~100C. The cloth harness stuff is theoretically rated to 150C.The self fusing rubber even higher (180C), and the silicone the highest (260C)Silicone and rubber have good water resistance, though in this case it doesn't matter.The silicone tape can crack, not sure if its environment or poor quality tape. At least it won't leave any residue.

author: eTobey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2024, 06:46:42 am
content: Quote from: thm_w on December 30, 2024, 11:51:06 pmThat sounds, like electrical tape should never be used for electrics. I guess its a matter of "it depends"?Found a great overview here:https://no.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=ideas-and-advice/electrical-insulation-tape-guide&srsltid=AfmBOorCtw_WK0YGwQVvQ7OJ1onEJMhj6XD-m-X_lJY7912lwzZh_Lq1

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2024, 07:06:47 am
content: Is that a coaxial fishing hook?

author: eTobey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2024, 07:12:23 am
content: Quote from: SiliconWizard on December 31, 2024, 07:06:47 amDont be silly. Its easy to see, that it is a coaxial harpune! I dont go for small fish.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2025, 07:47:26 pm
content: Quote from: thm_w on December 30, 2024, 11:51:06 pmThe really good stuff doesn’t. But unfortunately that isn’t what most people (including electricians) actually buy, since the good stuff is a lot more expensive.

author: Njk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2025, 02:53:42 am
content: The old trick is to put a PVC tube in acetone for less than a minute. It swells there and becomes very flexible so it's easy to pull it over whatever you want. In less than a minute it shrinks back and becomes hard on the next couple of days

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2025, 01:13:38 am
content: Quote from: tooki on January 15, 2025, 07:47:26 pmProbably, but don't want to keep track of whats what.Looks like 3M super 33 is the recommended type, rubber-resin adhesive:https://www.reddit.com/r/askanelectrician/comments/rcld9r/what_kind_of_electrical_tape_to_real_electricians/~$6 per roll.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2025, 06:50:22 pm
content: Quote from: thm_w on January 17, 2025, 01:13:38 amBeware that for $6, you only get a little bitty roll. It comes in many roll sizes, so make sure to compare width and length when shopping around.

author: m98
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2025, 10:45:34 am
content: Nitto 21A is cheap and pretty aging resistant, probably as good as the 3M stuff.

author: eTobey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2025, 08:46:45 pm
content: I got some from Tesa. Its feels pretty good. It is not that easy to get it of the roll, so i guess it will stick together well for quite some time. Also it cant be easily ripped apart.

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2025, 12:18:10 am
content: Quote from: eTobey on December 31, 2024, 07:12:23 amYeah, try catching a big fish with that one and let me know how it goes.