How to make a waterproof wire splice?

[Sasqui]

Here's the situation. I'm building a small hydroponic garden setup and have a float switch to shut a DCC-1 pump off if the water lever gets low. This is to prevent the pump from running dry and destroying it.

The float switch was taken off a burnt out sump pump and the wire connectng is only about 1' long. It's got 3x 14 or 16 gage conductors (one conductor is a ground), and a thick jacket. I plan to connect a long pair of 20 gage wires to it, which will go to two molex connectors (male and female) where the pump and 12v supply will be housed.

How would I connect the float switch wires to the 20 gage wires and create a waterproof seal? I have plenty of heatshrink tubing (all sorts of sizes), but that alone won't be waterproof.

And... I plan on growing spinach and lettuce, really!

 

[brandonwh64]

Vasoline! It works great for connectors to be water proof.

 

[Fourstaff]

Duct tape. It works on anything.

 

[Sasqui]

Vasoline! It works great for connectors to be water proof.

I have some scotch-lok telephone connectors that are filled with something like vaseline, but that's more for moisture than immersion.

Duct tape. It works on anything.

I hope I don't have to resort to that.

I was thinking of slathering silicone over the wires before sliding the heatshrink tubing on and putting the heatgun to it.

 

[de.das.dude]

liquid eletric tape.

nailpolish

 

[Sasqui]

liquid eletric tape

Spot on! I never even heard of it:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Gardner-Bender-4-fl-oz-Liquid-Electrical-Tape-LTB-400/100119178

 

[FreedomEclipse]

some hot glue (get a glue gun)

 

[Sasqui]

some hot glue (get a glue gun)

I have two glue guns... I'm going to get the liquid electrical tape. There is one other spot I know I can use it on!

 

[FreedomEclipse]

I have two glue guns... I'm going to get the liquid electrical tape. There is one other spot I know I can use it on!

but but but... you can pretend that youre so kewl by dual wielding 2 glue guns.

 

[Sasqui]

but but but... you can pretend that youre so kewl by dual wielding 2 glue guns.

 

[erocker]

liquid eletric tape.

My suggestion as well.

 

[Arctucas]

http://www.delcity.net/store/Heat-Shrink-Butt-Connectors/p_805404

You can probably find these at your local auto parts store.

 

[Bo$$]

liquid eletric tape.

really nice find that

 

[de.das.dude]

its pretty well known, infact i came to know about it from here somewhere a long long time ago.

 

[AsRock]

I use this GARDNER-BENDER BLACK ELECTRICAL LIQUID although this is on on RC cars but still..

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FPAN2K/?tag=tec06d-20

liquid eletric tape.

nailpolish

Yeah i use the above one. As long as the wire is not submerged all the time..

 

[de.das.dude]

PS nailpolish works just as well.

 

[Jetster]

heat shrink with rubber linining

 

[Dia01]

Glue filled heatshrink. Aussie link though a product should exist where you are similar.

http://www.cabac.com.au/products/heatshrink/xdw-thinwall-glue-lined

 

[Aquinus]

Once you do find whatever you're going to use would you be willing to throw a picture up so we can see how it turned out? I'm curious how it's going to look when you're done.

 

[Sasqui]

I use this GARDNER-BENDER BLACK ELECTRICAL LIQUID although this is on on RC cars but still..

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FPAN2K/?tag=tec06d-20

Yeah i use the above one. As long as the wire is not submerged all the time..

Once you do find whatever you're going to use would you be willing to throw a picture up so we can see how it turned out? I'm curious how it's going to look when you're done.

First, I've got a large collection of heatshrink tubing, all sizes, and I bought this at Lowes last night:

1-in x 1-ft General Duty Electrical Tape
•Insulate and splice electrical wires with the Gardner Bender 4 fl. oz. black electrical tape
•The waterproof formula resists damage caused by chemicals and UV rays
•Liquid "paint on" application doesn't unravel or deteriorate like traditional electrical tape
•Easy application in small spaces where wrapping tape would be difficult
•Quick and simple to apply on larger splices that would require a lot of tape

So, between the two, it should do the trick! I might be able to mess with it tonight and if I can find the time, I'll post some pics or a video.

 

[lilhasselhoffer]

The liquid electric tape is not a solution. While it is a polymer, it doesn't like wide temperature shifts, and eventually cracks.

The heat shrink tubing is one solution, but you need to take a few precautions. Do each wire individually, do an in-line wire splice, leave 2-3" extra (minimum) on each side of the splices, and heat shrink the wire bundle separate. This method makes a section that still has some flexibility, but is water resistant,

Why not just get connectors that are designed to be water proof? Like these: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ideal-Waterproof-Wire-Connectors-5-Pack-30-062/100564891#.UYPVtUrc5Hg Or maybe these: http://www.amazon.com/Products-62125-Waterproof-Connectors-25-Pack/dp/B000BW0YFS (home depot and amazon links respectively)


Nail polish is too brittle.

Glue gun glue is a redneck solution. It gets the job done, but it isn't exactly going to be an aesthetically pleasing solution.

 

[de.das.dude]

i use epoxy nowadays. it the best. but takes time to set

there is a kind of paint called plasti dip. that is worth a shot. but liquid electric tape works AFAIK

 

[Iceni]

Sounds complicated. I'd have used a wine bottle on string with a PTM switch at the top of the string.... When it gets to the correct level the bottle floats and the switch turns off.

You can do the same in reverse you just need a longer string and the reverse action switch..... When the water gets too low the bottle stops floating and breaks the connection.


That way all electronic components are well out of the reach of liquids.

 

[Sasqui]

Sounds complicated. I'd have used a wine bottle on string with a PTM switch at the top of the string.... When it gets to the correct level the bottle floats and the switch turns off.

You can do the same in reverse you just need a longer string and the reverse action switch.....


That way all electronic components are well out of the reach of liquids.

The float switch I have is quite simple and reliable. The splice won't be underwater and is only handling 12v max 5 amps (limit of the PSU brick).

Now I have to post pics!

 

[Iceni]

If it's just a connector housing your making that needs to be watertight I would use candle wax.

It's cheap remove-able, doesn't degrade easily and you can drop the splice into a connector housing then just pour the wax over the top and let it set.