Bullet connectors vers duplex plugs

[Doug-in-the-woods]

Last year I spent a small fortune on SSR enclosures, duplex plugs etc.
This year I am contemplating on using insulated bullet connectors M/F instead of duplex plugs and using the male plugs on light strings.
Found some heat shrink bullet terminals but thinking a dab of silcone would maybe do just as good.
For enclosures maybe some 3 inch drain pipe cut into short sections to fit the SSR board (Seans design)
just running this idea by all the in the know folks here.
any comments??

[Doug-in-the-woods]

Vinyl Insulated Bullet Terminals
For Wire sizes 22 gauge to 14 gauge with bullet sizes of 0.156'' and 0.180''
Vinyl bullet connectors are the most economical insulated bullet terminal connector available. The PVC insulation sleeve is securely fastened to the butted seam barrel. The insulation has a flared entry for easier wire insertion. Rated 600 volts maximum, building wire; 1000 volts maximum, signs and fixtures. Industry standard color-coding indicates wire range. Temperature rating: 105° C (221° F). Select Select bullet terminal connector size and quantity from the drop-down box.
100 male = $10.50 100 female = $8.09
cut off the plug on end of light strings and add the male plugs
connect the female to the ssr output wires

[Dan Ross]

You could just get something like this and slip over the spades of the plug, then you wouldn't lose the built in fuse.

http://www.mcminone.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=MCMProducts&category%5Fname=3831319&product%5Fid=28%2D6032

here is a how to: http://computerchristmas.com/christmas/link-how_to/HowToId-94/Last_Mile_-_Connecting_light_string_to_SSR_board

I wouldn't trim the end of the plug like he did in the how to, I would just insulate the bare metal with silicone.

[grages]

You could just get something like this and slip over the spades of the plug, then you wouldn't lose the built in fuse.


I wouldn't trim the end of the plug like he did in the how to, I would just insulate the bare metal with silicone.

How about some rings of heat shrink tube over the exposed portion that isnt covered by the spade connector. Easy to remove if necessary.

[Dan Ross]

That would work also. I was thinking silicone because if you had to fix something in the yard you wouldn't need a heat gun or need to put a torch near the plug.

With my luck I would use my mini torch to shrink the tube and end up melting the plug. :shock:

[Doug-in-the-woods]

After I posted yesterday I got my Mouser and Jameco order w/ catalog.
Started looking for said bullet connectors and saw the spade connectors.
Great idea
Now just need to order parts.

[stempile]

I wouldn't trim the end of the plug like he did in the how to, I would just insulate the bare metal with silicone.

There was a interesting discussion about this at one point... Personally only I trimmed the ends off per suggestion of someone else to get ride of the gap so it looked good for the howto. Last year I wrapped some of the exposed plugs with electrical tape, masking tape would even be fine. Many of them I left alone. The amount of exposed plug isn't much and I didn't want to seal it, just protect things from shorting it out. So depending on where the connection is, on the ground, house or tree you might not have to worry about it. Have not yet decided what I will do this year...

If I do trim the ends it will be faster and since I have no use for these lights out side of this application I don't think it matters...

ms

[Dan Ross]

Could even get a piece of 1" pvc pipe cut it into sections just small enough to cover the plug to help protect it.