Suggestion on What to use on battery Terminals

[Ravage457]

Is their a specific size of heat shrink that has to be used?

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Jesus,
It depends on the size of the terminal you are trying to insulate. It will likely be somewhere between 1/2" and 1".

[Jon Stratis]

If you look at the specs for heat shrink, it'll specify an inside diameter both before and after shrinking. You'll want to get some that is big enough to fit over everything, including the nut and bolt, but that will shrink down to a snug fit without splitting. I've seen students use the wrong heat shrink a few times... it looks good, then they put the heat gun on it, and it splits because it tries to shrink too small for the wire it's around!

[Ravage457]

Originally Posted by Jon Stratis

If you look at the specs for heat shrink, it'll specify an inside diameter both before and after shrinking. You'll want to get some that is big enough to fit over everything, including the nut and bolt, but that will shrink down to a snug fit without splitting. I've seen students use the wrong heat shrink a few times... it looks good, then they put the heat gun on it, and it splits because it tries to shrink too small for the wire it's around!

Thanks Jon Stratis, i will keep that in mind so that it won't happen and end up ripping it

[trilogy2826]

Originally Posted by Jon Stratis

... it splits because it tries to shrink too small for the wire it's around!

Another couple factors to consider to prevent the nototrious heatshrink split:

1. Buy good heatshrink. The ES200 line from Tyco (http://www.strancoproducts.com/downl...ta%20Sheet.pdf) has an amazing 4:1 shrink ratio and is pretty rock solid

2. When cutting the HS from a longer length, make sure the cut is straight and contiguous. Any aberration along the cut will likely cause a tear. This commonly happens when cutting a larger diameter HS with a pair of side cutters, where you can't cut across the width with one full cut. We typically use a pair of stout scissors or, odd as it sounds, a heavy duty paper cutter (good for getting precise lengths).

[Ravage457]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

Jesus,
It depends on the size of the terminal you are trying to insulate. It will likely be somewhere between 1/2" and 1".

Thank you Mr. Al Skierkiewicz for the advice and suggestion

Thanks again Chief Delphi Community for the advice and input, it greatly appreciated, as i have so much to learn