Heat shrink - what do you use to supply the heat?

[polo1]

As per the title, just curious :smilewinkgrin:

 

[Engineer54]

E54,
Do you really use a naked flame?
Not a criticism, it's just I was taught never to use a naked flame always some indirect form of heat!

On the heavy stuff, ...Always!! Flame is adjusted to suit the type of heat shrink in use!! You'd need a very powerful heat gun to shrink some of the heavy duty heat shrinks, and you'd be there all day doing the job too.
You can control the rate and speed of the shrinking far better with a blow torch too. Like most things in this game, there is always a knack/technique to be learned, and this would be one of them. A slightly different technique would be used on MV/HV termination/jointing shrinkable kits...

 

[Knobhead]

Heat shrink on MV cables is an art!

The stress relief has to be “just so” otherwise the termination/joint will fail!

 

[polo1]

Thanks all - interesting contributions. As you might imagine, the question arose during a good practice "discussion". Mini gas torch on standard h/s is my technique.

Regards.

 

[telectrix]

i just align the joint behind my arse and fart. perfect.

 

[Geordie Spark]

Heat shrink on MV cables is an art!

The stress relief has to be “just so” otherwise the termination/joint will fail!

Jack Daniels and a spliff or two shared with Tidyboiler does the job for me every time. :54::sifone:

 

[Bobster]

Use my zippo, blowtorch or heatgun.

On occasion I have been known to use an oxy acetylene torch on an orange flame.

 

[telectrix]

i struggle to get a signal on my orange phone, let alone a flame.

 

[amo]

lighter never fails me. being a non smoker its always topped up ready to go

 

[markythesparky]

If I knew I was going to use heat shrink I would usually have a vindaloo the night before, then just fart on it the next day!

 

[shanky887614]

lighter never fails me. being a non smoker its always topped up ready to go

your right there. i got misguided by a plumber while i was at college. some good came from it though as i got a fair bit of soldering practise

 

[monjoor]

Heat gun without a doubt. Very quick & evenly heated heatshrink.

 

[grantr37]

a flame master gas powered soldering pen with the flame adapter...

 

[Marvo]

E54,
Do you really use a naked flame?
Not a criticism, it's just I was taught never to use a naked flame always some indirect form of heat!

Lol, I also use a Sintra type mini blowtorch on site but obviously avoid burning or carbonising the plastic. It's always occurred to me it might not be good practice but I've never had any failures so it's something I've never really looked into. In the workshop we have small and large heat guns for heatshrink we use when building panels but on site it's usually not so easy to get power and it's only occasional pieces of heatshrink so the mini blowtorch is far more convenient.

 

[tidyboiler]

Jack Daniels and a spliff or two shared with Tidyboiler does the job for me every time. :54::sifone:

:sunny:
arty::sifone:

 

[Engineer54]

Blow torch does sound a bit harsh for shrinking heat shrink, how about the term ''gas gun'' ?? lol!! Either way there is no better method of controlled shrinking of heavy duty heat shrink, be it for LV or MV/HV...

By the way, this is the variable setting heat gun that i have, and that is generally used by the electrical contractors on the projects that i have been involved on. It's a Leister unit, and no i didn't buy it, too bloody expensive ...lets just say it was a used gift from the contractor!! lol!! Mine has the optional flat air nozzle. As powerful as this heat gun is on it's highest setting, it's no match for a standard gas gun on heavy duty heat shrink...

Strangely enough, it was the same unit that the swimming pool liner guys used to weld the joints on my pool liner in Cyprus.