@@scaler1817 So there isn't a big lump in the middle from each part laying on each other. More importantly, if by chance the heat shrink that was placed on each individual joint were to tear, being at different lengths there wouldn't be a short.. Also there is less chance of tearing if they aren't stacked on top of each other grinding away and through the insulation/heatshrink...
The exact same thing happened to me as I was trimming my hedges. My opinion is that the extention cord is just too expensive to throw away so I'm thrilled that I found your safe way to repair it. Thank you so much and I will be a subscriber because I want to know how to repair things the safe and proper way!!👍🏼😊
I was cleaning out cupboard . Had a subwoofer I needed throw away as had the same thing now .. I thought. If I cut it then I definitely throw it plus none the loons where I live can use it if they see in bin . I had hoover near me lots of stuff . So I start to cut wire then I stop .I then realise was my hoover . I'm a mad man . My hoover was fine as well before that .
This was SIMPLE AF I have to repair an electric recliner and this was super easy to follow. I also took a stage craft class in college where we had to make stuff and wire electrical connections
So many people make cold joints that will fail. I would recommend butt splices. I've never had one fail after years. Otherwise the same method with the shrink tube. I always keep an assortment of sizes for different jobs. Having been an electrician for forty years I've worked on a lot of older solder joints and they can last longer than the wire but as I said many people don't do a good solder joint and I prefer the butt splice method myself even though I have the solder equipment. If it's a long cord with the damage in the middle I'd simply put a male cord cap on one and a female on the other essentially making two cords. That's the only acceptable method with osha inspections. And for a senior it's often a pain having to deal with say a hundred foot cord. Use a short cord when needed and two for a longer distance.
Great instructional video. Yes, I'm interested in seeing the plug end replaced. I have a hair dryer I love which only sometimes works. The insulation isn't damaged but I think the wiring is compromised near the plug because sometimes it powers on/off when I stabilize with that part of the cord. Thanks in advance!
I also hacked my extension cord while hedge trimming. I was going to use butt plugs and electrical tape. The “expert” at ACE recommended it that way. Saw your video, followed your steps and learned how to solder all in one. Thanks again, saved me some $$$&
What I did, was just cut the six odd feet of cord and replace the receptacle. I used an Eagle 1-15 receptacle - it looks like a little yellow barrel and properly fits into the; trimmer/weed whacker/leaf blower since it has no ground slot. I used the six odd foot cord for a switched extension box for my electric drill. This is a really great video, you have here. It really makes more sense since most people don't tinker with things like me. Also, wow that trimmer looks hella dangerous, looks like a reliable old Black and Decker. :3
Thank you for this video. I did just that, went through the cord with the trimmer....... I won't do it again. And I was just gonna use electrical tape- now I know better 🙂
Hi Jessi - I've never had to replace the tips, so I don't really have a recommendation one way or the other. Most of these cheaper soldering irons have the same tip setup/arrangement. I think these tips would fit: amzn.to/3SzAZuy Good luck!
I tried repairing a 12 gauge cord on a Tablesaw and couldn’t wrap the wires so had to push them together. The second problem was holding them while soldering.I recommend buying a little articulated clamp designed for this. The third and most important issue was a hot or powerful enough iron. I used a small iron like yours on the first attempt with no luck. Bought a 30 watt and still didn’t work. Other videos recommend 60 watts or higher for 12 gauge wire. Also rosin base flux and the right size and kind of solder. Some contain acid which can deteriorate the repair over time. Still a great video.
Oh no! I just fixed my 3 month old carpet cleaner using the acid solder = what do I need to watch for? The cord is short enough - my pup cost me 2 inches fixing it. I was wishing I'd gone the flux route as I didn't get as smooth a solder as I'd like to have, but I'm also years out of practice! Perhaps a higher watt iron might have made the difference ...
Very good video but it's missing one piece of information I wish I understood. Does it matter how much bigger the heat shrink is than the wire it's going over? My heat shrink is not much bigger and I don't know if that's going to be a problem
Hello, great video! Is it possible, if it isn't already the case, to make a video where the damage is near the end connecter? also, can a hair dryer work instead of a heat gun? Thanks in advance.
If the damage is near the end, it’s usually best to simply replace the end with a new one. New ends are cheap and plentiful at your local hardware store. Hair dryers will typically not get hot enough to activate heat shrink. You can use a lighter, but be VERY careful. Good luck!
WOW !! Thanks for sharing this! I just today jacked up my AWESOME extension cord and I was so mad at me!! Want to know, what kind solder are you using? Also, what size of shrink tubing are you using and what is its shrink ratio? Thanks!!!
Sorry for the late reply! Hopefully you have repaired your extension cord already, but if not - I like the 3:1 ratio shrink wrap, with adhesive lining. I just have an assortment that I use for projects like this, and generally grab the smallest size that will still fit over the solder area. As for solder, I use basic rosin core solder. Here are some links to both: 🛒 Solder: amzn.to/3Vl7S0C 🛒 Heat Shrink: amzn.to/4b4LP4s Good luck!
@@AmplifyDIY You are so precious, thank you! I ended up buying a box of assorted sizes of the shrink wrap in 2:1 and by accident bought ROSIN CORE SOLDER! Lucky me!. Will the 2:1 still work okay or should I return it? I haven't opened it.
@@sherryroberts7716 2:1 will be fine - does it have adhesive lining? If it does, go ahead and use it. If does not, then I'd return it and get adhesive lined 3:1. Good luck!
Thanks so much for the video and keeping it simple, especially for those of us who are novices. I am repairing a damaged DeLonghi extension cord to a portable AC. Upon removing the outer insulation, I came across nylon threads in addition to the inner wires. I'm not sure what to do with the threads, any suggestions?
This video just make easier my desition I'm going to buy a new extension cord. Nothing wrong with the video but would be more expensive to buy all the tools and consumables than the actual cost of the new cord.
I’m an occasional do-it-yourselfer. Hence, my preference for electric tools. Never had this happened to me until I was using a hedge trimmer. Thanks for the video. Cost is about the same to buy a new extension cord. But I hate the environmental impact of throwing away a perfectly good cord.
Thanks so much, I'm going to use this to repair my automatic recliner chair cord. It got caught on a piece of metal under the chair and frayed the cord. Thank you, the chair was an expensive purchase.
Thanks for the video. One question....does the heat shrink (on the small wires) provide sufficient insulation? Or should I wrap with electrical tape as well? Thanks.
This is very useful! I have a vacuum with a damaged cord that I will try to fix. I don't know if I need to get a heat gun for one repair. Is there anything else I could do?
If you are VERY careful you can use a simple lighter to shrink the tubing rather than a heat gun. Just hold the heat shrink over the top of the flame, about 2-3 inches above it. Go slowly, and be very careful that you don't get the heat shrink tubing too hot (it'll start to melt) or let it catch fire. Good luck!
You can ... but I don't recommend it. Extension cords are generally only manufactured to be the maximum length that their internal conductors will allow at the rated amperage. So be careful, and pay attention to the load you are putting on the extension cord. The longer the cord, the more resistance. Extra resistance causes more current draw, more heat, tripped breakers, and in extreme cases can lead to fire etc.
Hi Jerome - this is a cord coiling technique I learned from the Essential Craftsman. It's a fantastic way to coil up a cord that saves time and space, and makes it impossible to tangle. Here's his video on the subject: th-cam.com/video/EwaGcPmtTsQ/w-d-xo.html
My had the exact same accident with her hedge trimmers. Lol! What size is the larger shrink tube for the cable itself. Is it 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch? I checked the comments and didn't see this one. I did hit the like button! Thanks!
Solder provides a MUCH more secure and durable connection between the conductors than just twisting them together or crimping them together does. For an extension cord, it's absolutely the right way to do it.
Great video! Been in the electrical field for only a couple of years now and I definitely would’ve just used butt connectors and black electrical tape lol but this is way better.
Instead of a heat gun could you use a hair blow dryer, or does the hair blow dryer not get hot enough. Thank you for your video. I just got a brand new vacuum cleaner and of course the power wire is not long enough for my 850 square feet of living space. I have a very long power wire from another vacuum cleaner that I’ll add to my new vacuum.
Hi D - a hair dryer is usually not going to get hot enough. Also: be careful when extending an appliance cord. A vacuum pulls a fair bit of current, and the internal resistance of the wire can cause it to get hot, which is potentially dangerous. I would only add just enough length to reach what you need to, not another full cord. Good luck!
Thank you so much for the great advice! Right now I’m having trouble finding a small quantity of the adhesive shrink wrap. I don’t think I will need 270 pieces! 😜. Thank you again!
Thanks for the video. Could this also be used for a long extension cable which risks to get wet? (e.g. lawnmower cable, pressure jet washer cable, or underground cable for garden lights, etc)? An idea of the waterproof rating it provides (e.g. IP68, IP67, etc) would also be very useful. Thanks.
Hi Rakmob - In wet locations, I would tend not to trust a repair like this... however: It's really a question of risk vs cost. For example, if I am going to be burying a cable and if it fails I'll have to go through the trouble of digging it back up, I would not put in a repaired cable. However, on something like a lawnmower I'd be more willing to trust a repaired cable, as if it ever fails dealing with fixing it is pretty simple. If you do decide to use a repair like this somewhere like that, I strongly encourage you to use heat shrink that includes hot glue on the inside, which will make a nice watertight seal. If you can't find heat shrink that already has glue on it, then you can always cover all your joints with actual hot glue first, then when you put heat shrink over them it'll do the same thing. Good luck!
@@AmplifyDIY Hi, Thanks for your reply. Are there any advantages/disadvantages to use black, coloured or transparent heat shrink tubing? And which shrink ratio is best, most secure or usually adequate 4:1, 3:1, 2:1 ?
There is another really good tutorial here on you tube dedicated entirely to soldering. He uses Silicone in his solders to make them waterproof. Just search: Soldering technics.
Personally as an IT guy, I would love to see you repair a male or female electrical connector. I would also like to see you install different types of outlets, such as the ones with USB ports or other special varieties.
Hi Porfirio - I did not, but you can. If you are looking for a water-tight seal, look for heat shrink that has hot glue in it already. As it shrinks it melts the glue which then makes a water-tight seal. Good luck!
Hi FaithRox - no, you *really* should not use electrical tape for something like this. Heatshrink is pretty cheap and readily available, and is a *much* safer option. Good luck!
That's why I am here. 3 ext cords with hedge trimmers. In all my years chasing cords. I think is the most dangerous tool. I'm always dragging edges, weed eater, circular saws around. This thing got 3 of my cords.
I have a DNC CCTV cable that i need to repair, it's now in 2 pieces and i have tried to rejoin them by stripping back the red and yellow wires and soldering them back together but i get no video on my screen. Any idea should rejoin them so that they work?
I would start by doing a continuity test with a multi tester on each of the leads to determine which one(s) is not making good contact. Is it possible that your soldering is fine, but there are other problems with the cable such as a bad connector?
A well demonstrated repair, well explained. Would like to ahve seen the court used after repair and see it light up something but well done otherwise.!
Great video ! Any yes, I would really like to know how to repair a frayed cord where the fray is right near the plug. I have several of these cords, and somehow my appliances only want to fray right near the plug. I subscribed to your channel. I like your attitude too, on top of the great content :)
My daughter didn’t know she could just replace the plug end and bought a whole new cord for her bissell crossswave. She ordered the right part number and style but the new cord does NOT have the green ground wire. What can we do to still use it? It was bought online and more costly to probably send back than anything else. If it’s possible i will buy the 3 wire plug end but do I really have to? Do we need the green connected? Or just close it off? Please any advice appreciated
Hi Shawn - the temp required is dependent on the type of solder you use. I've generally found that for most of the little jobs I do like this one 650ºF works well. Good luck!
Pro Tip: Slice the outer cord 3in in line instead of removing it to expose the wires, just fold it back out of the way. You can then cover the repaired wires with it and not have that bumpy lumpy repair and get extra insulation to boot.
In theory, yes, but keep in mind the power levels in a welding cable are MUCH higher than a typical extension cord. You'd want to beef up every aspect of the repair as I showed it here.... make sure your solder joints are incredibly solid, double or triple up your heat-shrink insulation, etc.
Yeah, you do need to be a little careful about that. You may also be putting too much heat into the solder joints. They should be hot enough to create a good connection, but you don't need to really cook them forever on the soldering iron. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the step by step repair. I do have an old canister vacuum that needs a cord repair. The repair needed is where the cord is coming out of the vacuum . It is most likely due to tugging at the cord that caused it to pull away & have those colorful wires inside showing now. I like to fix it while searcbing for a new one. How would I fix that? The vacuum is fine and I still have quite a few bags left for it. Plus , I have searched around for a new one and they mostly sell bagless types which is messier to deal with (I have a Eureka Airspeed for 5 years and the hose came off that recently). Many new vacuum parts are made of plastic too. So I was thinking that I need to cut 2 - lengths of that heatshrinking black tube & cut it down its length so that it's filet open. Then slide as much of it into the vacuum & overlap the other end over some of the cord n use the heat gun on it. Then use the 2nd length to do the same but making sure that it overlaps the filet-open end of the first? Can you make a video demonstrating the steps to doing such a repair? Thanks.
Thanks for the feedback! I would not recommend cutting open heat shrink tubing in the manner you described. When you heat it up, it will never actually tighten down and shrink around everything like you expect. Most likely to finish the repair correctly, you will need to disassemble the portion of the vacuum that the power cord goes into, and repair the cord after removing it completely from the vacuum. Good luck!
Great video, thanks! One question though. Why would you mention what to do if you don't have a heat gun, but not fail to mention, what to do if you don't have a sortering gun? 😅
Unfortunately, the only other way to deal with this would be by wrapping it in electrical tape... which is a pretty bad idea. It won't last, and is a sketchy way to do the repair. Cutting the whole cord and re-sheathing with durable heat shrink is the only way I recommend doing it. Good luck!
You can use this same technique to repair power cords to home appliances, power tools, etc.
Is it still ok if u don't sauder the wires.
Thx for the video man. The instructions were simple. Would it work tho on Washing machine cable, especially burnt?
I would recommend cutting the inner wires at different lengths so that each joint is at a slightly different place.
This is a good idea.
Is this so that the temperature is regulated more?
@@scaler1817 So there isn't a big lump in the middle from each part laying on each other. More importantly, if by chance the heat shrink that was placed on each individual joint were to tear, being at different lengths there wouldn't be a short..
Also there is less chance of tearing if they aren't stacked on top of each other grinding away and through the insulation/heatshrink...
Mukesh Thaker
Thank you! And ...
Practice makes perfect 😉
it's called staggering
The exact same thing happened to me as I was trimming my hedges. My opinion is that the extention cord is just too expensive to throw away so I'm thrilled that I found your safe way to repair it. Thank you so much and I will be a subscriber because I want to know how to repair things the safe and proper way!!👍🏼😊
Me too day before yesterday with hedge trimmers 😂
Me as well.. today. I knew I was going to do it Eventually lol!
I literally just fixed my cord for my sewing machine because of your video ❤️ Surprised myself with what I can do 😁
Great job!
I was cleaning out cupboard . Had a subwoofer I needed throw away as had the same thing now .. I thought. If I cut it then I definitely throw it plus none the loons where I live can use it if they see in bin . I had hoover near me lots of stuff . So I start to cut wire then I stop .I then realise was my hoover . I'm a mad man . My hoover was fine as well before that .
Thank you for demonstrating the soldering. It gave me confidence to do it (successfully).
Great job, Tracey!
This was SIMPLE AF I have to repair an electric recliner and this was super easy to follow. I also took a stage craft class in college where we had to make stuff and wire electrical connections
So many people make cold joints that will fail. I would recommend butt splices. I've never had one fail after years. Otherwise the same method with the shrink tube. I always keep an assortment of sizes for different jobs. Having been an electrician for forty years I've worked on a lot of older solder joints and they can last longer than the wire but as I said many people don't do a good solder joint and I prefer the butt splice method myself even though I have the solder equipment. If it's a long cord with the damage in the middle I'd simply put a male cord cap on one and a female on the other essentially making two cords. That's the only acceptable method with osha inspections. And for a senior it's often a pain having to deal with say a hundred foot cord. Use a short cord when needed and two for a longer distance.
I did the same exact thing several months ago and saved my cord.. thanks for the video!
Nice work, Toni!
Great instructional video. Yes, I'm interested in seeing the plug end replaced. I have a hair dryer I love which only sometimes works. The insulation isn't damaged but I think the wiring is compromised near the plug because sometimes it powers on/off when I stabilize with that part of the cord. Thanks in advance!
Stay tuned, Erika! I’m working on a follow-up demonstrating exactly what you need. Thanks for watching!
Me too
Thanks for the well explained repair to the cord!
I also hacked my extension cord while hedge trimming. I was going to use butt plugs and electrical tape. The “expert” at ACE recommended it that way. Saw your video, followed your steps and learned how to solder all in one. Thanks again, saved me some $$$&
Thanks for saving my life. Lol my father was an electrician before he passed. This is a reminder of what he told me.
Sorry to hear your father has passed. Hopefully he taught you a lot as my father did.
What I did, was just cut the six odd feet of cord and replace the receptacle. I used an Eagle 1-15 receptacle - it looks like a little yellow barrel and properly fits into the; trimmer/weed whacker/leaf blower since it has no ground slot.
I used the six odd foot cord for a switched extension box for my electric drill. This is a really great video, you have here. It really makes more sense since most people don't tinker with things like me. Also, wow that trimmer looks hella dangerous, looks like a reliable old Black and Decker. :3
You are right - that trimmer is a throwback to the '80's when there were fewer lawyers around. Thanks for watching!
Just did the same dam thing! hedge trimmers suck. thanks for the video.
What size was the big piece of heat shrink that covered all?
Thanks
Great video... I needed one last one to confirm the best way to repair my extension cord !
No frills. Fixed the right way. Thank you.
Thank you for this video. I did just that, went through the cord with the trimmer....... I won't do it again. And I was just gonna use electrical tape- now I know better 🙂
Thanks. Great demonstration
I have that soldering iron too. What replacement tips would you recommend?
Hi Jessi - I've never had to replace the tips, so I don't really have a recommendation one way or the other. Most of these cheaper soldering irons have the same tip setup/arrangement. I think these tips would fit: amzn.to/3SzAZuy
Good luck!
I tried repairing a 12 gauge cord on a Tablesaw and couldn’t wrap the wires so had to push them together. The second problem was holding them while soldering.I recommend buying a little articulated clamp designed for this. The third and most important issue was a hot or powerful enough iron. I used a small iron like yours on the first attempt with no luck. Bought a 30 watt and still didn’t work. Other videos recommend 60 watts or higher for 12 gauge wire. Also rosin base flux and the right size and kind of solder. Some contain acid which can deteriorate the repair over time. Still a great video.
Excellent tips, Kent! Thank you!
Oh no! I just fixed my 3 month old carpet cleaner using the acid solder = what do I need to watch for? The cord is short enough - my pup cost me 2 inches fixing it. I was wishing I'd gone the flux route as I didn't get as smooth a solder as I'd like to have, but I'm also years out of practice! Perhaps a higher watt iron might have made the difference ...
Very good video but it's missing one piece of information I wish I understood. Does it matter how much bigger the heat shrink is than the wire it's going over? My heat shrink is not much bigger and I don't know if that's going to be a problem
Hi John - as long as the heat shrink fits over the repair, it's fine. A little tight is better than not tight enough. Good luck!
Well explained!
Hello, great video! Is it possible, if it isn't already the case, to make a video where the damage is near the end connecter? also, can a hair dryer work instead of a heat gun? Thanks in advance.
If the damage is near the end, it’s usually best to simply replace the end with a new one. New ends are cheap and plentiful at your local hardware store.
Hair dryers will typically not get hot enough to activate heat shrink. You can use a lighter, but be VERY careful.
Good luck!
Watched a handful of "repair cord" videos, this is the best.
Thanks, Reid!
WOW !! Thanks for sharing this! I just today jacked up my AWESOME extension cord and I was so mad at me!! Want to know, what kind solder are you using? Also, what size of shrink tubing are you using and what is its shrink ratio? Thanks!!!
Sorry for the late reply! Hopefully you have repaired your extension cord already, but if not - I like the 3:1 ratio shrink wrap, with adhesive lining. I just have an assortment that I use for projects like this, and generally grab the smallest size that will still fit over the solder area. As for solder, I use basic rosin core solder. Here are some links to both:
🛒 Solder: amzn.to/3Vl7S0C
🛒 Heat Shrink: amzn.to/4b4LP4s
Good luck!
@@AmplifyDIY You are so precious, thank you! I ended up buying a box of assorted sizes of the shrink wrap in 2:1 and by accident bought ROSIN CORE SOLDER! Lucky me!. Will the 2:1 still work okay or should I return it? I haven't opened it.
@@sherryroberts7716 2:1 will be fine - does it have adhesive lining? If it does, go ahead and use it. If does not, then I'd return it and get adhesive lined 3:1. Good luck!
@@AmplifyDIY You're the best, thanks!
@@AmplifyDIY Wish I'd seen this before I bought the non adhesive shrink tubes ...
Just what I needed, thank you!
Happy to help!
Very good solder technique. Stager them so less bulge, and less chance for another short. If an old cut trim back to good, shinny wire or use flux.
Best video I found on this
Thanks for the feedback...very helpful
Great video! Thank you, I’ll try to repair mine today.
Good luck!
Thanks so much for the video and keeping it simple, especially for those of us who are novices. I am repairing a damaged DeLonghi extension cord to a portable AC. Upon removing the outer insulation, I came across nylon threads in addition to the inner wires. I'm not sure what to do with the threads, any suggestions?
I would just trim the inner nylon threads back to the point they are out of the way of the repair area. Good luck!
Those threads are there so you could easily pull back on the insulation without wire cutters.
This video just make easier my desition I'm going to buy a new extension cord. Nothing wrong with the video but would be more expensive to buy all the tools and consumables than the actual cost of the new cord.
Thank you for showing me how to make this repair easy.
Could you please do a video on replacing the end connector.? Cheers
Hi Lynelle - I actually already did one just replacing the plug: th-cam.com/video/ZYGjOAyfT3Y/w-d-xo.html Enjoy!
Same exact problem on my 129 dollar extension cord. Not even a few months use... Thanks
I’m an occasional do-it-yourselfer. Hence, my preference for electric tools. Never had this happened to me until I was using a hedge trimmer.
Thanks for the video. Cost is about the same to buy a new extension cord. But I hate the environmental impact of throwing away a perfectly good cord.
Thanks so much, I'm going to use this to repair my automatic recliner chair cord. It got caught on a piece of metal under the chair and frayed the cord. Thank you, the chair was an expensive purchase.
Heya Anonymous - your situation is a perfect example of when to use this technique. Good luck!
@@AmplifyDIY tysm!
Brilliant! Thank you.
Thanks for the video. One question....does the heat shrink (on the small wires) provide sufficient insulation? Or should I wrap with electrical tape as well? Thanks.
The heat shrink provides plenty of insulation. I don't think it needs additional electrical tape. Great question, and thanks for watching!
excellent explanation...thank you for sharing knowledge with us.
Thank you for the feedback, and for watching!
This is an excellent video. I am a prolific cord cutter so you have saved me $$$.
That was awesome!!! Thank u! God bless u!
Thanks, KB!
Very helpful! Thanks!
Great video!!!
I'm glad I'm not the only one that has done that!
It's like the teeth of these things are drawn directly to the cable that feeds them....
Cool. Great way to learn soldering as well.
Great video. To the point and well explained. Thank you
Thank you!
Great video. Hedge trimmer just ate our extension cord this afternoon.
You answered everything I would ask, except the sizes
What specific questions do you have about sizes? I'm happy to try to answer here....
Thanks for the feedback, and for watching!
This is very useful! I have a vacuum with a damaged cord that I will try to fix. I don't know if I need to get a heat gun for one repair. Is there anything else I could do?
If you are VERY careful you can use a simple lighter to shrink the tubing rather than a heat gun. Just hold the heat shrink over the top of the flame, about 2-3 inches above it. Go slowly, and be very careful that you don't get the heat shrink tubing too hot (it'll start to melt) or let it catch fire. Good luck!
Thank You so much Mr Amplify your videois aswm and very helpful. Now i can repair my extention cord that my dog chewd on.
Thanks
Can this method be used to double or tripple the length of the extension cord by combining them?
You can ... but I don't recommend it. Extension cords are generally only manufactured to be the maximum length that their internal conductors will allow at the rated amperage. So be careful, and pay attention to the load you are putting on the extension cord. The longer the cord, the more resistance. Extra resistance causes more current draw, more heat, tripped breakers, and in extreme cases can lead to fire etc.
What is that loop you are doing with the electrical cord at the end of the video at 6:37 ?
Hi Jerome - this is a cord coiling technique I learned from the Essential Craftsman. It's a fantastic way to coil up a cord that saves time and space, and makes it impossible to tangle. Here's his video on the subject: th-cam.com/video/EwaGcPmtTsQ/w-d-xo.html
My had the exact same accident with her hedge trimmers. Lol! What size is the larger shrink tube for the cable itself. Is it 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch? I checked the comments and didn't see this one. I did hit the like button! Thanks!
It was hard to see in the video but he used 1/2 heat shrink. I believe the wire gauge of the inside would be 16 gauge heat shrink.
Is the soldering step necessary? What does it do?
Solder provides a MUCH more secure and durable connection between the conductors than just twisting them together or crimping them together does. For an extension cord, it's absolutely the right way to do it.
Great video! Been in the electrical field for only a couple of years now and I definitely would’ve just used butt connectors and black electrical tape lol but this is way better.
excellent video.. well made clear and concise... thanks
Glad it was helpful, Thomas!
@@AmplifyDIY Thanks for taking time out to respond.... appreciate it very much... keep up the good work.
Thank you for your help
Thank you for saving me from myself. Great instructions.
That shrink tubing doesn't look very thick, is that supposed to insulate as well as the insulation of the wire? How water tight is it?
Hi George - it's actually quite thick, and filled with a heat-activated glue which forms a completely waterproof seal. Great questions!
@@AmplifyDIY Ah, great info.
Instead of a heat gun could you use a hair blow dryer, or does the hair blow dryer not get hot enough. Thank you for your video. I just got a brand new vacuum cleaner and of course the power wire is not long enough for my 850 square feet of living space. I have a very long power wire from another vacuum cleaner that I’ll add to my new vacuum.
Hi D - a hair dryer is usually not going to get hot enough. Also: be careful when extending an appliance cord. A vacuum pulls a fair bit of current, and the internal resistance of the wire can cause it to get hot, which is potentially dangerous. I would only add just enough length to reach what you need to, not another full cord. Good luck!
Thank you so much for the great advice! Right now I’m having trouble finding a small quantity of the adhesive shrink wrap. I don’t think I will need 270 pieces! 😜. Thank you again!
@@d.eileen1336 My local Home Depot and Lowes sell small quantities of heat shrink, in various sizes. Good luck!
@@AmplifyDIY WOW THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE INFO. Thank you much!
Thanks! very helpful video!
thank you AmplifyDIY perfect example of done quick easy and simple thank you.
I gave a thumbs up and you've got a new subscriber!!.
Thanks, Tk!
@@AmplifyDIY all good!!
Thanks for the video. Could this also be used for a long extension cable which risks to get wet? (e.g. lawnmower cable, pressure jet washer cable, or underground cable for garden lights, etc)?
An idea of the waterproof rating it provides (e.g. IP68, IP67, etc) would also be very useful. Thanks.
Hi Rakmob - In wet locations, I would tend not to trust a repair like this... however: It's really a question of risk vs cost. For example, if I am going to be burying a cable and if it fails I'll have to go through the trouble of digging it back up, I would not put in a repaired cable. However, on something like a lawnmower I'd be more willing to trust a repaired cable, as if it ever fails dealing with fixing it is pretty simple. If you do decide to use a repair like this somewhere like that, I strongly encourage you to use heat shrink that includes hot glue on the inside, which will make a nice watertight seal. If you can't find heat shrink that already has glue on it, then you can always cover all your joints with actual hot glue first, then when you put heat shrink over them it'll do the same thing. Good luck!
@@AmplifyDIY Hi, Thanks for your reply. Are there any advantages/disadvantages to use black, coloured or transparent heat shrink tubing? And which shrink ratio is best, most secure or usually adequate 4:1, 3:1, 2:1 ?
There is another really good tutorial here on you tube dedicated entirely to soldering. He uses Silicone in his solders to make them waterproof. Just search: Soldering technics.
yes how do you replace a male or female end connector? thanks
Awesome video & real professional !
Personally as an IT guy, I would love to see you repair a male or female electrical connector. I would also like to see you install different types of outlets, such as the ones with USB ports or other special varieties.
Added to my list. Thanks!
Thank you for the awesome video! Very helpful. I have some shopping to do, it seems.
Glad it was helpful!
Can you add silicone under the last shrink wrap to make it water proof?
Hi Porfirio - I did not, but you can. If you are looking for a water-tight seal, look for heat shrink that has hot glue in it already. As it shrinks it melts the glue which then makes a water-tight seal. Good luck!
Would electrical tape suffice rather than heat shrink for the repair?
Hi FaithRox - no, you *really* should not use electrical tape for something like this. Heatshrink is pretty cheap and readily available, and is a *much* safer option. Good luck!
That's why I am here. 3 ext cords with hedge trimmers. In all my years chasing cords. I think is the most dangerous tool. I'm always dragging edges, weed eater, circular saws around. This thing got 3 of my cords.
Thanks good info
nice video
Nice shop
I have a DNC CCTV cable that i need to repair, it's now in 2 pieces and i have tried to rejoin them by stripping back the red and yellow wires and soldering them back together but i get no video on my screen.
Any idea should rejoin them so that they work?
I would start by doing a continuity test with a multi tester on each of the leads to determine which one(s) is not making good contact. Is it possible that your soldering is fine, but there are other problems with the cable such as a bad connector?
My lawnmower ate my cord. Have to go buy a few things, then I'm going to fix it.
Thank you so much.
Can this be done without the soldering?
Hi Jen - in my opinion, it cannot be done *safely* without soldering. Good luck!
A well demonstrated repair, well explained. Would like to ahve seen the court used after repair and see it light up something but well done otherwise.!
Hi JIWA - I did show it being used to power the same trimmer that damaged it, starting at 6:08. Thanks for watching!
Great video ! Any yes, I would really like to know how to repair a frayed cord where the fray is right near the plug. I have several of these cords, and somehow my appliances only want to fray right near the plug. I subscribed to your channel. I like your attitude too, on top of the great content :)
Just replace the plug end, you can buy male or female ends.
My daughter didn’t know she could just replace the plug end and bought a whole new cord for her bissell crossswave. She ordered the right part number and style but the new cord does NOT have the green ground wire. What can we do to still use it? It was bought online and more costly to probably send back than anything else. If it’s possible i will buy the 3 wire plug end but do I really have to? Do we need the green connected? Or just close it off? Please any advice appreciated
Great video, thanks !!!!
Glad you liked it!
I'm gonna go ahead and guess this doesn't work only on extension cord and use this knowledge for other cables too, thanks.
on the soldier iron it has a temp gauage that can be adjusted - what is the temp to fix a wires on an extension cord?
Hi Shawn - the temp required is dependent on the type of solder you use. I've generally found that for most of the little jobs I do like this one 650ºF works well. Good luck!
Pro Tip: Slice the outer cord 3in in line instead of removing it to expose the wires, just fold it back out of the way. You can then cover the repaired wires with it and not have that bumpy lumpy repair and get extra insulation to boot.
As long as you still cover the entire repair with heat shrink, and preferably the kind with glue in it, this is a great idea. Thanks!
Could I do this with 2/0 welding cable?
In theory, yes, but keep in mind the power levels in a welding cable are MUCH higher than a typical extension cord. You'd want to beef up every aspect of the repair as I showed it here.... make sure your solder joints are incredibly solid, double or triple up your heat-shrink insulation, etc.
Could also cut that section out completely and put and new end on it then no patched cable!
Very good 💯
Thank you! Cheers!
ty sir!
Bassett hound chewed thru 3 extension cords, circular saw cord, battery charger cord, and my trailer wires.
Oof. Bad dog. Probably still a good dog, though. :)
I always find my heat shrink closes up from the solder heat unless i keep it 2"+ or so away from the connection.
Yeah, you do need to be a little careful about that. You may also be putting too much heat into the solder joints. They should be hot enough to create a good connection, but you don't need to really cook them forever on the soldering iron. Thanks for watching!
Dude your a genius !! Cut my chainsaw cable in half on its virgin mission and thought all was lost !
Thanks for the step by step repair.
I do have an old canister vacuum that needs a cord repair. The repair needed is where the cord is coming out of the vacuum . It is most likely due to tugging at the cord that caused it to pull away & have those colorful wires inside showing now. I like to fix it while searcbing for a new one.
How would I fix that? The vacuum is fine and I still have quite a few bags left for it.
Plus , I have searched around for a new one and they mostly sell bagless types which is messier to deal with (I have a Eureka Airspeed for 5 years and the hose came off that recently). Many new vacuum parts are made of plastic too.
So I was thinking that I need to cut 2 - lengths of that heatshrinking black tube & cut it down its length so that it's filet open. Then slide as much of it into the vacuum & overlap the other end over some of the cord n use the heat gun on it. Then use the 2nd length to do the same but making sure that it overlaps the filet-open end of the first?
Can you make a video demonstrating the steps to doing such a repair? Thanks.
Thanks for the feedback! I would not recommend cutting open heat shrink tubing in the manner you described. When you heat it up, it will never actually tighten down and shrink around everything like you expect. Most likely to finish the repair correctly, you will need to disassemble the portion of the vacuum that the power cord goes into, and repair the cord after removing it completely from the vacuum. Good luck!
Maybe she should stick to the old fashion hedge clippers. Lmao.
Great video, thanks! One question though. Why would you mention what to do if you don't have a heat gun, but not fail to mention, what to do if you don't have a sortering gun? 😅
If you don’t have a soldering iron, you’ll need one to do this repair correctly. See the video description for a link to inexpensive ones.
Thanks
at 5:47 . any other solution to fix that in if I don't want to cut the whole cord into two?
Unfortunately, the only other way to deal with this would be by wrapping it in electrical tape... which is a pretty bad idea. It won't last, and is a sketchy way to do the repair. Cutting the whole cord and re-sheathing with durable heat shrink is the only way I recommend doing it. Good luck!
You should have staggered the connections of the hot/neutral/ground wires so they are not all at the same spot
This is a great idea. Thanks, ItsAlive111!
Could you recommend a decent soldering kid. Amazon confuses me. I never know if I end up getting cheap crap.
lol I did exactly this with the same hedge trimmer! also it messed up my trimmer :(
Love the EC T-shirt 😂