[TowerTalk] shrink tubing & coax connectors

[AD5VJ Bob]

I have used the heat shrink method
 in fact it still do, it is epoxy coated (very expensive stuff)

We do that with our connectors (that we seal) in the Oil and Gas pumping industry
 - where there is always the environment and at times harsh chemicals to deal with.

What we do is:

using a circuit board vice to firmly hold the connector
during the entire process

attach the cable or wire as prescribed
test connections with a meter to ensure accuracy

fill the back shell of the connector with
 Epoxy Potting Compound
(3M Scotch-Weld DP270)

using an 800 W blow gun - heat the connector and epoxy
as to melt the epoxy into all cracks and crevasses
Let cool for 15 mins or until slightly set

apply three layers of epoxy sealed heat shrink by 
covering the connector back shell completely
(liping over the edge opposite the wire or cable slightly)

cover 1.5 inches of the cable or wire extending from the connector

Moisture will never get to the connections and neither will you :)

Sealing it with RTV would work just as well for most Ham Radio coax connector applications, where usually in our hobby the connector
itself is not worth the cost of the heat shrink with epoxy much less the time spent applying it properly the additional Epoxy and
making the correct measurements.

RTV would be less hassle and less expensive
Works good and lasts a long time

and you can get into the connector to reuse it if you want to two years from now

Bob AD5VJ 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com 
> [mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Larry Essary
> Sent: Tuesday, January 01, 2008 11:35 AM
> To: TowerTalk at contesting.com
> Subject: [TowerTalk] shrink tubing & coax connectors
> 
> Peter...
> 
> For the coaxial cable products that we produce we use a 1200 
> watt heat gun.
> The key is to use adhesive heat shrink and make sure you have 
> heated the heat shrink to the point that the adhesive runs 
> out the ends of the heat shrink.
> This will give you a proper moisture seal.
> 
> Larry - WA5WWH 
> 
> 
> I understand that it is good practice to use shrink tubing to 
> cover the barrel of a crimp-on coax connector.  What wattage 
> heat gun will do a proper job of shrinking the 3/4 inch 
> tubing covering the RG-213 connector's barrel?
> 
> 73 & Happy 2008!
> Peter, AE1T
> _______________________________________________
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