Cool butt connectors...

[labatt]

Just saw this link with embedded videos on Navagear.Com ... http://dkc3.digikey.com/PDF/Marketin...orsDSvideo.pdf

Pretty nice stuff.. just for solid core wires though...

[sailaway21]

Those are for splicing telephone wires underground and they work great as such. They eliminate the stripping of the wire, which is nigh on impossible to do on telephone wire anyway! After you've crimped together your nine gazillion wires, you encase all the splices in an exothermic epoxy sealing bag which encases them all in a solid mass of epoxy for sealing and longevity. Don't ask me how I know all about this procedure. And, even if you ask, I'm not going to tell you where I acquired these items for the job.

You'll note that the wire sizes covered are less than 1 mm nominal in size. They will work fine on stranded wire if you twist the ends or leave the ends incased in hteir insulation. Telephone wire is stranded, very finely stranded.

[mike dryver]

3M makes those for truck wire connections for i believe up to four wires. they have a silicon grease inside to water proof the connection. we use them on our fleet here in north east and i can tell you since using them we have had no trouble at all with road salt calcium cloride (this stuff is the worst stuff i've seen in 35 yrs of driving as far as causing corrosion related problems ie wiring, frame degradation etc., but these connectors seem to be inpervious to all that can be thrown at them. so i would imagine they would work quite well in the marine enviroment.

[Maine Sail]

Some concerns around these connectors would be this; (26-19 AWG) !

Seeing as the ABYC E-11 standard says this regarding DC wiring;

"Conductors shall be at least 16 AWG. EXCEPTIONS: 1. 18 AWG conductors may be used if included with other conductors in a sheath and do not extend more than 30 inches (760mm) outside the sheath.” 11.16.1.1.2."

You would certainly have a very difficult time finding a use for those on a boat with 16ga being the minimum unless you meet the 18ga criteria...

[Gryzio]

Interesting and may work for people.

I learned to solder in the early 1980's, learned earlier but really learned in Electronics School.

I guess if I were to use a Butt-Connector I would do the same as when I solder and use a Shrink Wrap to seal the connection.

I really not a Tech Type person, but, usually work during low humidity conditions with electrical. Actually have even played with pulling a vacuum on a system to seal without moisture.

[theartfuldodger]

have tried them and they don't work, there is no moisture seanant, still the best is butt's covered in shrink wrap with sealant