Engine Room Heat-Shrink Question-gctid806029

[Flynny94]

Out of an abundance of caution, I figured I should bounce this question off someone before I start my next project.

I need to replace some butt connectors on the fuel tank sender wires in the engine room of my 285 Cierra. The connections are inches from the engine and fuel tank. What is the safest way to make waterproof connections here? Obviously not an open flame with heat-shrink connectors (seems like a good way to get a Darwin Award), but is a heat gun safe? Should I avoid heat-shrink all-together and wrap the connections in tape or something?

I figure a heat gun is probably fine as long as I'm careful with where I direct the heat, but I just wanted to double check!

[Ruffryder]

Heat shrink with heat gun

[TenMile]

Worked for years as a telephone repairman. We used Scotchloks all the time. The are grease filled and waterproof. No need for a heat gun.



Lots of different types:

[ronbo404]

I would use liquid electrical tape to seal the connection

Ron

[Douggy]

heat shrink marine connectors with heat gun but if your worried about explosive fumes then ventilate the area well.

[builderdude]

"Douggy" post=806110 wrote:
heat shrink marine connectors with heat gun but if your worried about explosive fumes then ventilate the area well.

+1

And as you've stated directing the heat source away from anything "fuel" is good thinking.

[Flynny94]

"builderdude" post=806119 wrote:

"Douggy" post=806110 wrote:
heat shrink marine connectors with heat gun but if your worried about explosive fumes then ventilate the area well.

+1

And as you've stated directing the heat source away from anything "fuel" is good thinking.

That's the plan. I'll have the engine area hatch wide open with the blower running, so that should be plenty of ventilation.

Thanks guys!

[Car2n]

I did some heat shrinking with a lighter about a foot away from my gas tank last weekend. Didn't even think about it,,, until now. LOL

(hatch was wide open all day)

[2850Bounty]

I would suggest using "bare" butt connectors (no plastic insulation covers) with heat shrink tubing pushed onto the wire prior.

A heat gun would be good!

Steer clear of the connectors with heat-shrink-tubing insulation covers installed on them!

Even a high quality crimp tool can damage the heat-shrink-tubing causing separation when the heat is applied.

.

[SomeSailor]

"TenMile" post=806040 wrote:
Worked for years as a telephone repairman. We used Scotchloks all the time. The are grease filled and waterproof. No need for a heat gun.

Scotchloks are designed only for solid wire and only very light gauge wire at that. They're generally not recommended for marine use. They also only work on wires that are the same size. A properly sized simple crimp connector will work. Heat shrink will seal it up and give it mechanical support. That would be my recommendation.