FW: [Elecraft] Here's faith for you!

Sat Dec 7 14:59:01 2002

I used this method (with electrical tape) for years putting Ape-hanger
handlebars on motorcycles. There are about 10, 16 ga. wires in each
handlebar, for the lights, starter, turnsigs, etc. and the longer bars need
extensions in the middle. It will work for your need here, too.

Strip and DON'T tin the leads as usual, but stagger the cuts, so the missing
insulation is not missed. IE, the red wire has a 1/2 inch stripped, and the
black wire has it's 1/2 inch stripped at least an inch farther down the run.
The mating end is the reverse (the black wire is 1 inch shorter than the
red). In your case, there are two "mating" ends.

Slide the skrink wrap up the PS wire as far as it will go. If the shrink
wrap gets too hot from soldering, it will shrink (d-oh!) and won't move into
position after you finish your splices.

Now, to make the splice, push the wires together along their length. Do not
twist the normal way, just interleave the strands. Twist as necessary to get
the wild hairs to lay down, but don't push the insulation any closer
together than the 1/2 inch. (I wish I had my digital camera handy, this is
soooooooo much easier to photograph than to explain.

Now, solder. The joint shouldn't be any larger than the wire was before the
insulation was removed (even with the two leads in one side). Since the
black splice is separated from the red splice, there is no need for any
insulation besides the shrink-fit, itself.

Even with good smooth joints and fuses, I'd suggest two layers of shrinkfit.
BTW, this is WAY easier with onlt two wires, and without having to cram the
whole shebang through a small hole on a handlebar!

BTW2, The idea to run two separate wires all the way to the power supply is
a better one, but this note answers the question you actually asked<g>.

Dan / WG4S / K2 #2456

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of [email protected]
Sent: Saturday, December 07, 2002 1:31 PM
To: Elecraft Reflector
Subject: [Elecraft] Here's faith for you!

OK, I'm asking this question KNOWING that no one will respond with
hysterical laughter, guffaws etc - that's how much faith I have in this
reflector (I can hear the hysterical hi hi's already!).
I'm merrily soldering away at this beautiful KAT100 tuner and I have a
question. It mentions making a power cord that splits into a Y - so a single
cord can be used both for the K2100 and for the KAT100. This does mean that
you splice a black wire on to the black and splice a red on to the red - so
that the original red is now split into a Y and the original black is split
into a Y, right? Quit laughing.
Now - any time I've spliced wires before and covered them with shrink tube -
they've always looked like crud. Does anybody have a suggestion for making
the splice look really slick and professional? OK, quit rolling on the floor
in convulsive laughter. Remember, I have faith in you guys (and gals).
73/Tim NZ7C

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