Adhesive-lined heat shrink butt splice connectors seem to come in 3 popular sizes. 10-12, 14-16 & 18-22 AWG. Are butt splices available that splice between these three sizes? For example, 12 to 16 AWG?
Doubling the smaller wire over to fit the connector doesn’t seem a satisfactory solution for a couple of reasons. 1) A 10-12 AWG connector takes from 10,500 to 6,500 circular mil wires respectively. 16 AWG is 2,600 CM, so I would need to triple over the 16 to get enough cir mil for a proper crimp (2 x 2,600 < 6,500 so 3 x 2,600 > 6,500 CM. 2) I’m not sure the heat shrink designed for 10-12 AWG would contract and seal around the 16 AWG wire.
I have seen this situation a few times where the load has become more efficient and draws fewer amps when upgraded (ex. LED lights). In one case I replaced an old 12V LCD TV with a 120 VAC LED TV/DVD that draws only 30W. I used a small, dedicated 120w continuous inverter that uses 16 AWG wire. The old circuit was generously wired with 12 AWG probably due to the length of the run and current draw or voltage drop sensitivity of the old LCD TV. Not being in a bilge space I used a terminal strip, but like to use waterproof crimp butt splices whenever possible.
Thanks for any advice!
Dan
Doubling the smaller wire over to fit the connector doesn’t seem a satisfactory solution for a couple of reasons. 1) A 10-12 AWG connector takes from 10,500 to 6,500 circular mil wires respectively. 16 AWG is 2,600 CM, so I would need to triple over the 16 to get enough cir mil for a proper crimp (2 x 2,600 < 6,500 so 3 x 2,600 > 6,500 CM. 2) I’m not sure the heat shrink designed for 10-12 AWG would contract and seal around the 16 AWG wire.
I have seen this situation a few times where the load has become more efficient and draws fewer amps when upgraded (ex. LED lights). In one case I replaced an old 12V LCD TV with a 120 VAC LED TV/DVD that draws only 30W. I used a small, dedicated 120w continuous inverter that uses 16 AWG wire. The old circuit was generously wired with 12 AWG probably due to the length of the run and current draw or voltage drop sensitivity of the old LCD TV. Not being in a bilge space I used a terminal strip, but like to use waterproof crimp butt splices whenever possible.
Thanks for any advice!
Dan