Looking for waterproof connectors

[raptorjr]

I wonder if anyone have a good suggestion on waterproof connections? Preferably with different number of pins, like 2,3,4 or 5 pins. I want to use them for outdoor sensors, and sometimes as power supply connection for outdoor sensors.

I found these: https://www.ebay.com/itm/12-Sets-2-Pin-Waterproof-Wire-Connector-Plug-Electrical-Connection/401442407633?epid=10009606705&hash=item5d77d504d1:g:GS8AAOSwLjxaXPq8&vxp=mtr

They are available with different amount of pins, but they turned out to be pretty useless. So I'm looking for some better solution and hope that I can get some suggestions.

[JohnRob]

Hi,

The connectors you referenced look like Delphi 150 type connectors. What about them makes them useless? They work for vehicle use.

[raptorjr]

@johnrob I found it hard to make it waterproof where the cables go into the connector. If I have 3 or 4 pin connector it gets very wide so I need a wide pice of shrink plastic(or what is it called in english). But if I use that wide it won’t seal the cable going in since those are often pretty small.

Also I found it hard to get the pins inside the connector to stay in place after mounting. Many times the pins don’t align exactly with the female and instead get pushed inside into the connector. So the don’t get any contact with the female. Then I need to use a plier to pull the pin out and try again.

[RWoerz]

@raptorjr
Electricians use an anti-corrosive grease like stuff in areas of high humidity. You might try smearing the connector inside and out with that and then heat shrink the whole thing. Clean up the outside with alcohol and finish up with electrical tape.

Plain old heavy axle grease may also do the trick. Just don't leave any voids, pack it solid.

[dbemowsk]

@rwoerz Isn't electrical tape a bit overkill if you are using heat shrink tube already?I use heat shrink to avoid the use of electrical tape because over time the tape will come loose and leave a sticky residue.

[NeverDie]

Irrigation connectors

[JohnRob]

Not sure why the pins do not stay in place. Perhaps they are knock offs.

You need not seal the back of the connectors, the yellow inserts held by the back of the pin acts as a seal. The Delphi Versions have been used for under vehicle for years with no environmental issue. The location is partially protected (i.e. on top of the fuel tank etc).

See attached

I would say the irrigation connectors mentioned by NeverDie sounds good, but I'm not familiar with them.

[NeverDie]

@johnrob said in Looking for waterproof connectors:

I would say the irrigation connectors mentioned by NeverDie sounds good, but I'm not familiar with them.

Notionally like this:
http://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/King-Innovation-Irrigation-Wire-Connectors-p/20230.htm?gclid=CjwKCAjw8r_XBRBkEiwAjWGLlFCRiMOUdiQFyWu3IlfZf37Q0HVMKMlJpznWBDS4Tsx_nhG8TP-bsxoC_nEQAvD_BwE

Home Depot sells something similar.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/DryConn-GTSR-Direct-Bury-Grease-Tube-with-Strain-Relief-with-Orange-Nut-Wire-Connector-25-Pack-per-Bag-20205/205346936?cm_mmc=Shopping|VF|G|0|G-VF-PLA|&gclid=CjwKCAjw8r_XBRBkEiwAjWGLlK0rpiAXrNyxJLAb5BUgWzB4PYbSokNnIWKOV9GEEzJgHVJGlZkneBoCkFEQAvD_BwE&dclid=CJfgy6CE9doCFQdGXgodp2YATQ

[raptorjr]

@johnrob Yes, could be some bad knockoff of the original. Maybe should try another seller.

[ninkasi]

@raptorjr said in Looking for waterproof connectors:

I wonder if anyone have a good suggestion on waterproof connections? Preferably with different number of pins, like 2,3,4 or 5 pins. I want to use them for outdoor sensors, and sometimes as power supply connection for outdoor sensors.

I found these: https://www.ebay.com/itm/12-Sets-2-Pin-Waterproof-Wire-Connector-Plug-Electrical-Connection/401442407633?epid=10009606705&hash=item5d77d504d1:g:GS8AAOSwLjxaXPq8&vxp=mtr

They are available with different amount of pins, but they turned out to be pretty useless. So I'm looking for some better solution and hope that I can get some suggestions.

No such beastie as waterproof, only water resistant to different levels. Soldering joints is of course best, but I'll admit that plug/sockets are really convenient.... If you can protect the connection itself you can use pretty much anything - I'm a fan of RJ12 or RJ45 plugs/sockets for sensors I might be moving around a lot. To make it all waterproof - sorry, water resistant - you can wrap it with heat shrink tape. If it's going to go under water, silicon sealant or even hot glue can do the trick - but I'd consider putting the join inside a water resistant box and sealing that instead.

[NeverDie]

@ninkasi said in Looking for waterproof connectors:

hot glue

I've tried ordinary hot glue and didn't find it to be very water resistant at all. That said, maybe some of the polyurethane hot glues would do better.

I think there really is waterproof, but it's pricey. Some of the potting epoxies for electronics offer it. Similar to: https://www.amazon.com/3M-Scotch-Weld-Epoxy-Potting-Compound/dp/B000X5G6O6

There's a guy who puts his sensors into cave streams for scientific research. He has a very nice blog describing it. I don't recall off the top of my head which epoxy he uses, but he swears by it.

[boozz]

@ninkasi
@raptorjr

Consider the use of resQ tape. Not sure if this is available world-wide, but the use of it is very versatile.

I've used heat shrink with and without the glue layer inside. Works for some time, but water gets in. Only the resQ tape has proven to keep the joints (cable entries of the connectors) watertight!

See this video:

ResQ-tape EN Self fusing silicone tape – 02:21
— AGROCENTER

BR,

Boozz