Nav Lights

Ryan Werden

Ryan Werden

Well-known member
I'm wiring up my nav lights and was curious to know if any of you have used the heat shrink connectors or did you just tape it up? Any other options?
 
Heat shrink are good. There is a type that even has a waterproof goop inside that work even better. I thinh Ancor has a whole marine line.

Charlie
 
I have used them with no problems so fa. About a year ago I started soldering the connections and splices, painting them with liquid electrical tape then covering them with heat shrink tubing.
 
I've just used tape. Put my system in about 5 years ago and have not had a problem.
That said, shrink tubing is some good stuff. If I have to rewire again, I will probably use it.
 
I use the heat shrink one's with the goop inside. I get mine at Autozone.

Good luck.

Ed L.
 
along with the goopy heat shrink there are also some quick crimps by 3m with silicone inside. They have a clear body and blue top. they work excellent and i highly recommend them. I use them for hooking up rear lights, never had one to fail, corode etc. You can find them at any parts store.
 
Because moisture and condensation can cause corrosion I like the solid electrical connection that you can only get by soldering. I've used the crimp on connectors before but always go back to using my little butane powered soldering iron then letting it cool and then slip the heat shrink over it. I will use the electrical tape if I have to I find it usually lasts OK I like to put a fair amount of tension on it though.

Bill G.
 
I went to the 3m site and found those connectors they are actually called IDC'S insulation displacement connectors. The ones with the blue middle have gas and oil resistant silicone inside. 3m.jpg
 
Heck yeah. If you've got anything to do with salt water and you want them to work when you need them, you better use the heat shrink. I spread liquid electric tape on first, then slide the heat shrink over, then torch it and blow it out before it burns the wire up. Works great for me. Same method on the trailer lights.

Ed.
 
ive had real bad luck with the product leslie reccomended from 3m we call them scotch lock connectors in the businness they tend too cut through the wire as they make a connection id use the crimp connectors with the built in heat srink then go over the pair with more of the goop inside shrink tubing just my 02
 
Thanks for the info. The 3m connectors would be to big to fit in the hole I've drilled out for the bow nav light. I think I'll try the liquid elec. tape and then heat shrink it up.

Never would have thought to look at an autozone or parts store. Save's me a trip to the boat shop where I end up buying other stuff...
 
Ryan, Look for "Dual wall" or adhesive lined shrink tubing. In real critical areas I prefer to remove the plastic insulators from the crimp on terminals or butt connectors and crimp them with a pliers that crimps them with a U shape and then cover them with the dual wall tubing. Without the plastic insulator the crimp is very positive and the adhesive in the dual wall flows onto the terminals or connector and wire. For the butt connectors push them out of their sleeve with a piece of welding rod if you can't buy the uninsulated ones. For the terminal eyes grip the eye with a pliers and pull on the plastic with your fingers or a pliers. Barring that use a good telegraph wrap and solder for joining wires and cover with the dual wall. Don't be too Scotch with the shrink tubing.

I still use plastic insulated connectors and butt connectors for most applications but for anything that stays wet (bilge pump wiring etc.) or needs to work all the time (nav lights and electronics) and is exposed to the elements I use the above method. I kinda gave up on the liquid elec. tape since the advent of the dual wall tubing, but found it to work almost as well when using the single wall tubing.

My .02 worth

Eric
 
no offense meant too eric butt use proper crimping tools not pliers the connection will look like two stacked V 's with wire sandwitched between rather than flat on flat just a word from been there again no offense to eric the may have meant crimpers but better safe than sorry
 
Reading my post I see I wasn't clear. What I do is use crimp connectors, liquid electric tape slopped over that, then heat shrink slid over that and torched. No problems so far.

Ed.
 
the best connection you can ever have is a solid one. tinning the connections is the best option but sometimes space limits you and there are other options. i've tried every single one here and had sucess with all of them. any time you crimp anything make sure you use the proper tool and proper size connectors for the wire gage. if there is acid,saltwater, or other corrosives be sure to use proper lubrication. with that said have you ever noticed the electrical connections under the hood of your car has white lithium grease. water doesn't break it down and it never seizes or sticks. good luck
 
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