Alternatives to heat shrink tubing - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Mint.
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2012, 09:35:26 pm
content: I am currently working on a small repair project. I need to solder a few wires together that have been cut accidentally apart, but I don't have any heat shrink at the moment for insulation. What are some good alternatives?

author: Short Circuit
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2012, 10:02:10 pm
content: Strip a piece of thick wire and use the insulation as a sleeve to slide over the joint.Or use some electricans isolation tape, or engineers' friend #1, ducktape

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2012, 10:02:52 pm
content: if its low volts, how about pvc insulating tape or at higher voltage you could use self amalgamating tape or even choc strip connectors, If its just a temporary repair until you can get the shrink.

author: PeterG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2012, 11:00:18 pm
content: I find all sorts of uses for this stuff.Great to keep on hand for times just like this.http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=NM2834&keywords=electrical+tape&form=KEYWORDRegards

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2012, 11:09:36 pm
content: Quote from: PeterG on February 10, 2012, 11:00:18 pmWow. I have never heard of that stuff before now.

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2012, 01:36:17 am
content: off topic but, if you need compact, easy, fast and economic insulation, you can solder each wire in the group in a way so they are not in one plane, or not touching each other if brought together. my way is illustrated in the pic below (insulate only once). insulating each and all the wires in the group can create bulky joint which is not nice at least to me.

author: sacherjj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2012, 01:48:46 am
content: Quote from: PeterG on February 10, 2012, 11:00:18 pmI was able to find some of that at our local Home Depot. I found it useful to put on solder joints to rotary switches and other uses where it isn't convenient to heat shrink it. I wouldn't push the voltage specs too far, but I was happy with the results as well.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2012, 02:36:36 am
content: Jaycar also sell "self-adhesive heatshrink tape".You just wrap it around the joint,& it shrinks to size,gluing itself together at the same time.Disadvantages are--it is expensive & a bit bulky.I guess this doesn't answer the OP's initial question,as if he can get to somewhere that has this stuff,it will have heatshrink tubing,& he doesn't need an alternative.If just getting to an Electronics shop is the problem,many Auto & Hardware stores carry heatshrink.

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2012, 02:56:21 am
content: Quote from: Mechatrommer on February 11, 2012, 01:36:17 amGreat idea. I will do this myself.

author: Mint.
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2012, 06:04:35 am
content: Quote from: Mechatrommer on February 11, 2012, 01:36:17 amNice one!

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2012, 10:32:16 am
content: Hot glue or hot snot as Dave calls it works quite well on low volts although I have no idea of what it would be like on higher voltage. but on ocasions I have used it as well as silicone sealant to as a get out of trouble on vehicles or plant electrics.

author: nrgeek
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2012, 05:26:10 pm
content: They sell it in about every hardware store, walmart, kmart, radio shack, harbor freight, auto parts stores, etc etc in the USA not hard to find!Goes by different brand names but all the same!quote author=IanB link=topic=6865.msg90122#msg90122 date=1328915376]Quote from: PeterG on February 10, 2012, 11:00:18 pmWow. I have never heard of that stuff before now.

author: siliconmix
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2012, 02:25:37 pm
content: why is heat shrink so expensive ?

author: Dieselrunner88
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2012, 02:47:59 pm
content: Raychem Adhesive lined Polyolefin Heat Shrink TubingI buy this stuff from amazon $10-$15 us for 48" it has hot glue lining to stick to the wire.as for alternatives. scrap rubber hose or silicone is usually what I use.