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any alternatives to heat shrink tubing?

Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2005 1:15 am
by nyrblue35
twice now my left rear turn signal has gone out. the wiring was frayed when i bought the bike(didnt realize) and the first time i fixed it i didnt do a good enough job. this time around i used wire nuts, electrical tape to hold them in place and heat shrink tubing over the wiring. problem is though its still up under the rear fender not that well protected. dont know what even happened to the cloth type of sheathing that was on there b4 like the right side, it wasnt there when i bought the bike.


is this something i can pick up at a electrical/plumbing store? i just want some type of protection i can wrap around it w/out having to remove the wiring to slide it in. dealing with my sissy bar is the biggest pain i dont want to go through again. :wink:

Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2005 4:54 am
by ZooTech
LIQUID ELECTRICAL TAPE

If it were me I'd have to tear it apart and use solder and heat shrink, but this'll do if you're lazy :wink: .

I would not, however, under any circumstances use wire nuts. Those are meant for stationary fixtures like homes and whatnot. I installed car audio professionally for two years and can't remember how many repairs I did from shade-tree installers using those things (and other inappropriate stuff, but we won't go into that now :shock: ).

Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2005 10:20 am
by nyrblue35
ZooTech wrote:LIQUID ELECTRICAL TAPE

If it were me I'd have to tear it apart and use solder and heat shrink, but this'll do if you're lazy :wink: .

I would not, however, under any circumstances use wire nuts. Those are meant for stationary fixtures like homes and whatnot. I installed car audio professionally for two years and can't remember how many repairs I did from shade-tree installers using those things (and other inappropriate stuff, but we won't go into that now :shock: ).
that stuff looks pretty good but can you use it on say a 10 inch length of wiring? it says its used for "wire ends" and terminals. i thought this might be like something you kinda paint on and it sorta hardens or provides a sealant on the whole length if that makes any sense.
also, is this a common product in hardware or electrical stores? thanks for the reply

Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2005 11:00 am
by TechTMW
Fix the problem the right way. Solder and heat shrink tubing!!!

Ya I know it's a PIA, but you are going to keep having this problem if you don't do it right ... the wire's just too exposed in that area.

Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2005 6:12 am
by Borris
I'm just posting my 2-cents as an example:

I added about 30 led lights to my Kenworth last spring. When I ran the wire, I soldered every joint and probably over did it with the shrink tubing.

A friend of mine added lights to his Peterbuilt and used PLAIN buttconnectors and wirenuts to save time.

We both live in western NY. and in the winter drive on alot of salted roads. He has to do alot of repairs to his lights, I have done none.