CXA1304 only glows dimly

8/10 · Mar 2, 2015

So, I woke up this morning and as usual the first thing I do is skip over to my growcab to see how the plants are doing. I was immediately aware that the light had changed and looking up at the lamp I can see that a whole string of 5 cxa1304 are only glowing dimly. What could be the issue here?

5 x CXA1304
1 x Meanwell LPC 35-700

alesh · Mar 2, 2015

You should post more info, such as which version of 1304 you're using and how are they wired.

8/10 · Mar 2, 2015

It turns out there was a bad connection... I have used a number of connectors, I donæt know what theyre called but it is essentially steel tube inside a crimp plastic tube... You put the wires into each end, then squeeze the steel tube and crimp the plastic with heat afterwards. Turns out they suck big time!

How do you guys go about splicing two wires?

AquariusPanta · Mar 2, 2015

8/10 said:
It turns out there was a bad connection... I have used a number of connectors, I donæt know what theyre called but it is essentially steel tube inside a crimp plastic tube... You put the wires into each end, then squeeze the steel tube and crimp the plastic with heat afterwards. Turns out they suck big time!

How do you guys go about splicing two wires?

I personally like soldering wires together but I believe a bunch of folks here on RIU use Wago connectors to connect wires together.

Some situations call for different measures. I'm sure I'll start using Wago connectors eventually.

Mechmike · Mar 2, 2015

8/10 said:
It turns out there was a bad connection... I have used a number of connectors, I donæt know what theyre called but it is essentially steel tube inside a crimp plastic tube... You put the wires into each end, then squeeze the steel tube and crimp the plastic with heat afterwards. Turns out they suck big time!

How do you guys go about splicing two wires?

Those are called butt connectors.
To make a solid solder connection you will need some heart shrink tubing. Cut about 1/2" of the heat shrink and slide it over one of the two wire ends before stripping the wire ends back about 7/16" and twist them together and solder them. Once they have cooled a little bend over the soldered connection to be parallel with the wire and slide the heat shrink tubing so it covers the soldered connection and heat it with either a heat gun or a small flame. You will now have a solid and secure connection.

AquariusPanta · Mar 2, 2015

Mechmike said:
Those are called butt connectors.
To make a solid solder connection you will need some heart shrink tubing. Cut about 1/2" of the heat shrink and slide it over one of the two wire ends before stripping the wire ends back about 7/16" and twist them together and solder them. Once they have cooled a little bend over the soldered connection to be parallel with the wire and slide the heat shrink tubing so it covers the soldered connection and heat it with either a heat gun or a small flame. You will now have a solid and secure connection.

I use thick electric tape as a heat shrink alternative :shock:

.

What do you think about that approach?

Mechmike · Mar 2, 2015

AquariusPanta said:
I use thick electric tape as a heat shrink alternative .

What do you think about that approach?

Tape is less than ideal because it eventually loses adhesion and doesn't fully seal the connection. The stretchy silicone tape that sticks to itself is a better alternative but heat shrink is the best solution.

8/10 · Mar 2, 2015

Wago connectors, noted.

Also, Mechmike, I have used some heat shrink tubes, however, after soldering the wires a strand of wire pierces the tubing almost every time... I guess I could try some bigger heat shrinks. I like how it works, tho.

I did order these from ebay, I'm gonna give them a try. Not ideal with the awkward in/out from the same angle, though.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-pcs-UY2-Scotchlok-Connector-With-Grease-Filling-Butt-Wire-Tap-Splice-/400847484494

Mechmike · Mar 2, 2015

8/10 said:
Wago connectors, noted.

Also, Mechmike, I have used some heat shrink tubes, however, after soldering the wires a strand of wire pierces the tubing almost every time... I guess I could try some bigger heat shrinks. I like how it works, tho.

I did order these from ebay, I'm gonna give them a try. Not ideal with the awkward in/out from the same angle, though.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-pcs-UY2-Scotchlok-Connector-With-Grease-Filling-Butt-Wire-Tap-Splice-/400847484494

I have had that problem when I haven't made a clean twist of the wire ends before soldering. It's true that some heat shrink is pretty thin but thicker walled stuff exists. I found some at Lowes.

SupraSPL · Mar 2, 2015

I use crimp connectors because they are cheap and versatile, force polarity etc, BUT it can be hard to get a solid crimp with plastic coated connectors and a solid connection is critical for constant current LED strings. I use bare connectors so I can see and verify that it is a solid crimp and then cover with heat shrink tubing. It can be time consuming for large builds and there are much faster easier methods. Wago lever nuts and wall nuts are awesome for most applications.

CXA1304 only glows dimly

8/10

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alesh

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8/10

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AquariusPanta

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Mechmike

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AquariusPanta

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Mechmike

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8/10

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Mechmike

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SupraSPL

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