T&T: Heat shrink wire - terminals, fuel sight guage

[Chester Brummett]

Received a number of comments on terminating wire in wet environments.  I had
not thought about all the options for heat shrink tube and terminals.



First, heat shrink tube.



Going to the Ancor (Marinco) site, they list their heat activated adhesive
heat shrink tube as "cross linked polyolefin, shrink ratio 1/3".



West Marine catalog  (using 1" size for reference), $10.29 (black) or $12.00
(red) for a package of two six inch pieces for heavy duty, battery cable. Note
the 08 WM catalog (page 433) has an error if you check the part number against
the Ancor site, WM catalog list this item as 6' (feet) which I thought was out
of line.  The Ancor site shows the part number as 6"(inches).



McMaster Carr  http://www.mcmaster.com/  has identical description on their
adhesive heat shrink tube (catalog pages 782 - 786):  1.1 inch size, thick
wall, part number 7270K83, 48 inch piece at $20.31.



Same description, 3/8 size (suitable for 12 gauge wire and lugs), West Marine
$23.99 for package of 5, 12 inch pieces.



Above item from DeFender, $16.49



McMaster Carr:  part number 7861K44, package of 14, 6 inch pieces, $18.32



Now on the water proof ring terminals.



Skip the details, go to McMaster Carr catalog page 730.  Part number 703K72
(12 guage wire, #8 hole), $5.48 for package of 10.  They also list "sure
connect" with enclosed solder, part number 9983K25 for $9.60, package of 10.



Above prices are less than half the West Marine prices, I think they are the
same item; just from the industrial supply catalog rather than a marine
catalog. Description is the same as the Ancor site.



Fuel site guage:



Two years ago, I replaced the original (at that time 4 years old) "clear"
vinyl tubing installed for fuel sight gauges with a product called Tygon Ultra
Chemical resistant PVC tubing (McMaster Carr part number 5046K15).  The
original hose had started to "yellow" at around 6 months, at 2 years was
almost impossible to see fuel level.  After two years I can report that this
replacement hose is as clear as the day I installed it.



I have no affiliation with McMaster Carr other than a satisfied customer.  If
I place a telephone order before noon, their standard shipping has the item at
my front door the following day (Atlanta warehouse to Orlando).  They do take
personal orders, credit cards, no minimum.

Chet
DeFever 49, Cygnet
Daytona Beach, FL