170PCS Solder Seal Wire Connector Kit, Qibaok Heat Shrink Butt Terminal Waterproof Insulated Electrical Butt Splice for Automotive Marine Boat Truck Stereo Wire Joint

Anyone that has been doing any kind of electronic wiring knows, soldering is the best way to complete a clean, good looking install. Having been doing automobile wiring as a hobby for 25 years, I have seen and used it all; from home wire tie caps (BAD IDEA!), the "Twist and Electrical Tape" Method, crimp connections, all the way up to traditional soldering. While soldering will always be the best product, it is a pain in the you know what and can be a difficult skill to pick up. I've been doing it for years, and still have problems. Add in to the fact that having a soldering iron plugged in while doing a car stereo installation can be a bad idea, and you can see why a vast majority of folks choose to skip it in favor of a quicker solution.That being said, I was ordering supplies for an install I was planning on a 2011 Camaro, installing an aftermarket touchscreen head unit. Being that my supply drawers are dwindling, I was on Amazon looking for crimp connectors and shrink tubing when I ran across these puppies. Let me say, I wish I had these on about 99% of the projects I have done over the years! They are super easy to use. Cut and Strip both wires you are joining. Slide one over one end of the wire, ensuring that you expose the wiring. Cleanly twist both wires together. Slide connector over the union. Center the solder ring [the metal one in the middle]. Using a heat source, such as a heat gun or butane mini-torch (I used a Dremel Mini-Torch/Soldering Iron that I bought here. Start at the sides and move slowly but delibrately from one side to the other. The plastic ends will melt first, and the clear plastic will shrink. The solder ring will take longer to begin to melt, so ensure you don't burn through the plastic trying to get the ring to melt. Just keep moving the torch and it will melt. You will see the ring begin to bubble and it will melt along the union evenly. Once you've done the entire connector, let it sit for approx 1 minute to cool and harden. I used a soldering jig that I bought here. It will turn from clear to cloudy. Then you're done!It took me approx 1/4 of the time that it would have taken me to do the soldering traditional way. Now, its not the old school way, and I will see what the test of time reveals, but as it stands, I plan on buying a few more sets of these. This is the first product that I have reviewed that I 100% approve! The only drawback will be learning a new method, but once you get it down, nada.Pros:-EASY TO USE-SUPER QUICK-SOLID , PROFESSIONAL LOOKING CONNECTIONS-CHEAP FOR THE VALUE THAT YOU GETCons:-USEFUL APPLICATION COULD BE LIMITED IN TIGHT SPACES (ALTHOUGH YOU COULD BEND THE JOINT AFTER THE SOLDER MELTS, JUST BE AWARE THAT IT WILL BE EXTREMELY HOT AND COULD SPLIT OPEN.-NO REAL DIRECTION ON WHAT COLOR TO USE ON WHAT GAUGE, TRIAL AND ERROR

I use these all the time at work, putting harnesses back together after taking out aftermarket products. They work great and the added benefit of having solder inside to seep into the connection is an added plus.The only downside of using these compared to your standard crimp heat and set wire connector is you have to hold it while your heating it. I have gotten pretty good at not burning my fingers but at first it was a little annoying. If you do not hold it the plastic will melt and stretch and you will have to redo it. Generally if that happens you want to cut the ends off your wire and re-strip it as the solder had already worked its way in.

Messed up my first one because I didn’t let it cool off long enough before I did a test pull on it. It once I figured out the process, it was easy to use. Made about 10-12 splices on my Jeep for some new lights. Once the soldier inside melts it flows very quickly and the rest of the casing seals up just like heat shrink. Very impressed with this kit and glad I decided to try them out. Only reason for a 4 instead of a 5 is if you’re using a lighter instead of a legit heat gun (which I don’t own yet), it will put off some fumes and it blackens the clear plastic so it is difficult to see if the solder melted enough to make a good splice. But once it cools and hardens up, it is a solid connection and I could pull the splices apart!

I’m replacing all of the incandescent lights with LED’s on my camper and these connectors are super-easy, and strong. $10 for 170 connectors and next day delivery from Amazon Prime can’t be beat.TIP: slipping the connector over one of your wires before stripping the insulation makes it easy to put on. Also, use a cone-tip on your heat gun. That will let you melt the solder first, then move out to the shrink wrap.

I've been using regular heatshrink connectors for years, but I recently saw a commercial on these solder wire connectors and it made so much sense to start using these. No more crimping and hoping I got a good tight fitting, and no more pull testing. I just insert both ends of stripped wire ends, heat, and done. Perfect connection every time. The only thing I would say negative is, why didnt they come out with these earlier. They are genius!

There the best. Just tie your wires your best. look it up on youtube. A few 5 min videos you'll be ok and make sure the plastic melt together for the best waterproofing. Slow heat till all the air is out then you can heat the solder last. Air will make a blowout.

I needed to repair several broken wires where they enter the door of my Jeep Cherokee - years of opening and closing the door and flexing the wires caused them to break. These are easier than soldering and heat shrinking or taping the wires, and they make a secure joint. I don't know how they will last over time, but they work well for now.

These are a great idea and perform. However, the plastic burning point is so near that which the solder melts that it is a delicate struggle to ensure that the heat intensity and distance is correct to get the solder to melt while not "exploding" the clear shrink wrap and having to start over.