Help with rope light

[alanf]

After finding as much info as I could, I have started building rope light arches. I have segmented them successfully, and can get power to them, but it is not a very good connection. The only thing I haven't tried is tinning the ends before inserting them. Anyone have any tips?

[jrock64]

finish nails.

http://forums.planetchristmas.com/in...&st=&p=&#entry

Joel

[rstehle]

After finding as much info as I could, I have started building rope light arches. I have segmented them successfully, and can get power to them, but it is not a very good connection. The only thing I haven't tried is tinning the ends before inserting them. Anyone have any tips?

I strip the wire back about 1/2" and tin it. Then I cut about 1/16th off at about a 45 deg angle. That leaves kind of a sharp end to be able to stick in. I use a fairly small nail to poke a hole in the end of the rope light right next to one of the main leads. Pull out the nail and insert the tinned wire. Repeat on the other wire then test your connection. I cover the junction with clear shrinkwrap and heat. Seems to give a solid connection that is very stable.

[alanp]

I strip the wire back and solder the power cord to the rope light and wrap in heat shrink and electrical tape, haven't had one problem with it.

[bmcgeeny]

I use small Brass Brads and just solder them to the end of the power cord. I just insert the brad into the wire channel and dab a little clear liquid electrial tape on them. Never had a problem.

[griffixdc]

well if using copper wire soldering the wire to the rope light should be a lot easier since copper absorbs the solder easily so tin the wire end then solder the wire to the rope light while adding a little more solder then it should bond a little better

[alanf]

Thanks tining the ends really helped

[ben&bobbi]

i need to add cords to my rope light star. I get the tinning and/or brad nails. My question is the heat shrink. Is there a better kind that will fit around the rope light and shrink enough to grab the SP-2 cord? i can't imagine it will shrink that much. Maybe possibly doubling the cord back onto itself? i need to check the link above, but it is blocked here at work (of course i am on break!)

[smartalec]

i was going to silicon the area an slide the heatshrink over that, an add more silicon inside the heatshrinkt just before i start it shrinking, so it makes a perfect water tight seal

[Matt_Edwards]

I too use the tinned wire method.
Similar to what Alec to saying I do the following:
For 1/2" rope light, I use 5/8 thin walled heat shrink, cut to 1 3/4" lengths
I smear a little silicon on the last 1/2" section of he rope light
Place the heat shrink on the rope light and shrink only the portion that covers the rope light.
Now stick the silicon nozzle into the other end of the heat shrink and give it real good squeeze
Carefully shrink the remainder of the tube.


You will soon learn if you have added too much silicon;)