Installed a new fishfinder today, I must have strung those cords through 10x before I got it right! Anyway how do you guys shrink the plastic part on the heat shrink butt connectors? (extending the power cord). I don't have a heat gun, I tried a hair dryer but it didn't work. I ended up just taking a lighter and put the flame close by which seemed ok but there has to be a better way right?

Unless you have a heat gun a lighter is about it.

I use my cigar torch for heat shrinking. If you don't use the correct size heat shrink tube it won't completely seal around the wire no matter how much heat you apply.

I have a heat gun you can borrow if you'd like, send me a PM.

I have a heat gun now, but I've used a propane torch for years when building harnesses. Crimp everything, make sure everything is as it is supposed to be, slide all of the heat shrink tubing in place, and fire up the propane torch. I never had a problem with burning the insulation on the wire. You should be fine.

Heat guns are cheep. Harbor freight sells em for like $10. Well worth it for a kayaker. They weld plastic also.

Yep. This.^^^^

Hey thanks guys for the info. Hoping I don't have to do any welding on the kayak!

I have a heat gun and it does work a little better than a lighter or torch. That being said unless you are gonna use one a lot just use a lighter or borrow someones. Most kayak guys are pretty good about helping or sharing stuff.

Heatgun,Lighter,Propane torch,, I'll grab what is closest to me at the time. I do like the heat gun the most.

From the master himself.

Heatgun goes nowhere near my yak lol. I do thousands of these shrinks each year on guitar builds just use a lighter and the right size itll go fine. I redid all the wiring in my yak with solder and 2 layer heat shrinks.

Really cool that you can post about something as obscure as heat shrink butt connectors and there's all these people who know what to do. Thanks again guys

LOL...No I don't think I'm a master, Just love rigging them out, and blessed to be able to help others and learn along the way.



Rawfish- You are absolutely correct sir. I have always been impressed with the nature of the kayak fishermen here in this group. They share the passion AND the knowledge of rigging. I've always been impressed with how people unselfishly share their knowledge to help each other out.

If I can add one more thing,,, Not all shrink tubing is created equal. Some just protect from contact exposure, The stuff used by boat manufacturers has a sealant that melts and bonds to the wiring, best stuff to use for protection from water intrusion. West Marine sells this and wiring that's also specially tinned for corrosion protection. Especially important when exposed to saltwater use.