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Terminating C9 Strand


MikeHeather

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Hello:

I purchased a big spool of C9 sockets and plan to create my on custom length strands. What do you do at the dead-end of the strand after cutting it?

Regards,

Mike

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If I don't have a female end ,and the strand is going to the last in line, I use heat shrink tubing filled with hot glue.

First I split the wires at the end, fill two pieces of heat shrink with hot glue and then slide over each wire and make them long enough that they extend about 1/2" past the wire ends.

Shrink down using soldering iron rubbing lightly or a hot air blow dryer.

Once those two wires are covered and heat shrink shrunk, I then fold back over the wires using that extra 1/2" excess, then I slide a larger piece of heat shrink, also filled with hot glue and shrink over that. Then as it cools I pinch the end closed.

Makes for a nice water tight seal on ends that don't have a female receptacle.

If you don't want to use hot glue, automotive clear silicone sealant also works well. I've used both with excellent results.

I WOULD NOT recommend taping or using any kind of tape, tape after a while in the sun can release and come loose, once that happens the two exposed {open} ends of the wires can short if they get wet or moisture across them, even inside the taped area, and even if the tape does happen to remain intact, it's not best suited for this type of application/repair/fix.

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This is the preferred method or add a female vampire plug.

Interesting, I've not tried that method. Guess I need to go find some of that "liquid electrical tape", as that sounds even better than all the work I've been putting into making, and sealing the ends of some of my wires that don't have any female receptacles on the end...

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I use female vampire ends on them. My second choice is cut, split, shorten 1 wire at least an inch, then fold a piece of heat shrink so that it extends down both wires 1 inch. This gives a pretty good water seal, and keeps the ends at least an inch apart. I'll often follow up with a second layer of heat shrink to keep the strands together and protect the first layer.

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I leave them bare and coat the end with peanut butter for the squirrels.

Okay, maybe I don't but I've dreamt of doing that. I put a female end to the string because I never know what I'll be using the string for in the future.

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Thanks everyone. So I've come to the following conclusion:

  • If you have supply of female vampires use them
  • If no vampires, then make one side of the wire shorter than the other and use liquid black tape
  • If no liquid black tape, then use peanut butter. Add bird seed for extra effect.

Cheers

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