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Subject:Re: Heatshrink wire connectors
From:Zoran Mladen
Date:Mon, 7 Oct 2013 11:55:59 -0700

Where did you get your heat shrink?� I got mine from an electrical supply house.� It has a liquid inside.� When you heat them, the liquid melts, completely makes the connection waterproof, and you see some of it on each end oozing out and then turning into a rubberized material.� When it comes to electrical connectors and other pieces, always spend the extra money...well worth it.
�
To answer your initial question...I use either a blow torch or a soldering gun with the appropriate attachment to shrink.� It goes very quickly.� With the torch, I make passes at the heat shrink or else it will completely melt...maybe four or five passes and it is sealed.
�
Z
 

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 From: David M <covrambles@YAHOO.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM 
Sent: Monday, October 7, 2013 12:23 PM
Subject: Heatshrink wire connectors
  

To reinstall my headlight I finally found some connectors that would work (3M ones from Walmart were useless) at Harbor Freight Tools. These are the kind that the wires slip in at each end you crimp them on and then heat-shrink the covering.
Well all went well till the last step. Exactly how much heat do these require and for how long? (no mention on package). I used my daughters hair-dryer on the highest heat setting about one inch away for 5 minutes until I could smell burning. The center part shrank but the ends, where the shrinkage is really needed did not shrink at all. So both ends are now open to moisture. Anyone have a clue? This replacement of the 9004 socket is turning into a major project.

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