repairing wires with superglue...

fearofweapons · Aug 21, 2018

I have some wires that the PO decided to wedge somewhere they would get worn. The result is a number of them have lost some insulation and now short out on occasion.

My plan was to cut the wires with damaged insulation, slip a heat shrink sleeve on, solder the wire back together then shrink the sleeve over the solder before wrapping the whole bundle ( 5 wires) back up in self amalgamating tape and the refixing away from the rub point.

However I am now wondering if I can, carefully, coat the exposed bits of copper with super glue to create insulation before then wrapping it all up in self amalgamating tape again. I have no idea though if super glue is conductive or not. Also I wonder if it would be too brittle? That part of the wiring loom is fairly stationary normally as it forms part of the wiring loom that goes to the drivers front corner through the engine bay.

So two questions,
1) Does Super Glue conduct electricity ( at 12v )
2) Would it be too brittle to use as an insulating barrier on wires that are normally stationary ?

many thanks

Richard

brian47 · Aug 21, 2018

I don't know the spec on superglue regarding its electrical resistance, but it is somewhat brittle and I would certainly say that it's not a suitable substance for insulating wires.
Stick with the solder and heat shrink sleeving. You can get heat shrink with an adhesive on the inside if you're worried about it slipping. I would also recommend using a larger diameter sleeve to cover the whole joint. Self amalgamating tape is good stuff but it can suffer from attacks by sunlight and also an oily or greasy environment. You can protect such a joint with PVC tape if so required.

Turktowner · Aug 21, 2018

Have a look at these, sorted my Tratter that had the same problem

Amazon product

DanClarke · Aug 21, 2018

Very much doubt it because the removal instructions for superglue is to soak affected area in water. Mind you this is probably more to do with getting skin to soften and break up.
Why not use those low-temp all in 1 joiners & heatshrinks. HERE

dieseldog69 · Aug 21, 2018

DanClarke said:
Very much doubt it because the removal instructions for superglue is to soak affected area in water. Mind you this is probably more to do with getting skin to soften and break up.
Why not use those low-temp all in 1 joiners & heatshrinks. HERE

Beat me to it, they're great, I bought a mixed bag of assorted sizes and have been successfully used on repairs to my flashing beacons and speaker wires so far, very pleased with them.

kevstar · Aug 21, 2018

I use them on boats & outboards never had 1 problem with them in fact yours just reminded me I should order some more

gstuart · Aug 21, 2018

brian47 said:
I don't know the spec on superglue regarding its electrical resistance, but it is somewhat brittle and I would certainly say that it's not a suitable substance for insulating wires.
Stick with the solder and heat shrink sleeving. You can get heat shrink with an adhesive on the inside if you're worried about it slipping. I would also recommend using a larger diameter sleeve to cover the whole joint. Self amalgamating tape is good stuff but it can suffer from attacks by sunlight and also an oily or greasy environment. You can protect such a joint with PVC tape if so required.

Hi mate

Daft question plse , wonder if there’s also a risk of it catching fire if superglue is used around an electrical supply ???

That self adhesive heat shrink is brilliant stuff

The Mad Hat Man · Aug 21, 2018

Anyone want Heatshrink, pm me

Mcclegend · Aug 21, 2018

Hot glue, use it all the time to stick wires to circuit boards and use it like waterproof cables and joints out side. (Have a solar charge controller outside the entire board is submireded in the stuff works fine). But to repair a cable for what you want it would be a bodge.
Best to solder, heat shrink the cores.
Some people like to then use self amalgonating tape but I prefer just insulation tape and then put split tubing.

fearofweapons · Aug 22, 2018

Thanks for all the suggestions and the links to the 'all-in-ones'. I didn't know they existed so will be placing an order for some shortly.
In the end I cut the wires with damaged insulation, soldered the joints and put heat shrink around each wire then wrapped the loom back up in insulation tape. Putting heat shrink on the whole lot would have meant cutting and splicing another 4 wires that didn't need it.
I have now zip tied that part of the loom well away from the pinch / rub point so will see how that goes.

Once again many thanks.

Richard

headintheclouds · Aug 23, 2018

There is something that can be used to mould new insulation around cables. Check out Sugru. A bit like a rubberised putty that sets with a reasonable amount of flexibility.

Cutting, soldering and heatshrink will give a better repair longterm, but Sugru should do a decent job for a while. I bought mine on fleabay.

repairing wires with superglue...

fearofweapons

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brian47

Well-Known Member

Turktowner

Still muckin about

DanClarke

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dieseldog69

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kevstar

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gstuart

D3 Grandad

The Mad Hat Man

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Mcclegend

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fearofweapons

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headintheclouds

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