Connecting stranded copper wire to stainless thread

General project help for Adafruit customers

Moderators: adafruit_support_bill, adafruit

Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.
Locked
User avatar
ericsnis
 
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Jun 23, 2016 4:18 pm

Connecting stranded copper wire to stainless thread

Post by ericsnis »

I am having a problem with an old project where I needed to connect one lead from a JST extension cable for a battery to stainless thread. The connection was made using a silver plated crimp bead for jewelry making. I put both wires inside the crimp bead then smash it down. I did this since the stainless thread just won't solder.

Image


This has worked okay initially except there is no strain relief so the wire breaks where the insulation on the JST extension ends. I've had to repair the connection twice and now it broke again. I was thinking of heat shrink tubing but I don't think there is anything thin enough to shrink to the stainless thread. I have something that starts at 1/16" and shrinks to about 1/32".

1. Is there a way to add strain relief to this kind of connection?
2. Is there a better way of connecting stranded copper wire to stainless thread?

Here are the crimp tubes https://www.joann.com/silver-plated-met ... 01889.html
The JST PH 2-pin extension https://www.adafruit.com/product/3814
Stainless medium gauge conductive thread https://www.adafruit.com/product/641

User avatar
adafruit_support_bill
 
Posts: 88037
Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2009 10:11 am

Re: Connecting stranded copper wire to stainless thread

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

Crimp beads are the best way I have found to make connections to the stainless thread. Shrink tube should work for the strain relief. It doesn't have to shrink completely tight to the thread to relieve the stress on the crimp-joint. As long as it grips the wire or crimp-bead you should be OK. If it slides around a bit, you can add a drop or two of glue around the joint before shrinking the tube.

User avatar
ericsnis
 
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Jun 23, 2016 4:18 pm

Re: Connecting stranded copper wire to stainless thread

Post by ericsnis »

Okay, I'll give that a try.

Locked
Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.

Return to “General Project help”