Looking for a better atomizer insulator....

[Diagasa]

I have been using atomizer connectors from Liberty Flights and I always seem to tear the silicone bushings when I put them back together after soldering. I remove the silicone insulator prior to soldering and then I replace them once the parts have had a good chance to cool. Out of the last three I have used, I have mangled the insulators.... Is there a better solution that the stock insulators that come with the atomizer connectors?

I have contemplated using a this heat shrink tubing and a small bit of liquid silicone in a squeeze tube but they both fail.... I also want to try hot glue as well..... I plan on trying to set the center atomizer pin in place and then gluing around it with hot glue. Will this work or am I just too rough.....

Thanks, Diagasa

Since my last failures, I have put a dead stop to all of my mod building because I can't make a working atty connector. If none has a good answer I will just start buying pre soldered connectors.

 

[slimest]

I don't remove these insulators before soldering. Solder with 60W iron at max. temperature. Use low-melting solder (thin wire for SMD boards) and active flux. No problems yet.
If I want a very reliable connector with long life additionaly put epoxy compound to hold inner part of connector in place (not inside silicone insulator but thick coat between connector and liquid.

 

[MickeyRat]

I pull the center and leave the isolator in the outer part. After soldering, I sand down any really high or rough spots. Then wiggle everything back in. Since I started doing this, it works fine every time.

 

[ScroungerLee]

When reassembling use something for lubrication. I just use saliva.

Lee

 

[Dudeman]

When reassembling use something for lubrication. I just use saliva.

Lee

A drop or two of juice works well.

 

[Diagasa]

Any advice on getting the silicone insulators back in?

 

[Dudeman]

Any advice on getting the silicone insulators back in?

A lot of patience. I use a nail that's a slightly smaller diameter than the positive post to help wiggle them in.

 

[emus]

I have used heat shrink tubing for months w/ no failures. After shrinking the tube encapsulates post and I trim excess w/ razor. It helps to have a raised solder blob for contacting all carto/atty center post.

I would not trust glue as insulator; if it fails it could get toasty.

 

[nicotime]

Any advice on getting the silicone insulators back in?

Collapse one side of the grommet inward to make it form a doubled "C" shape...then grab the inside of the C with pointed tweezers...stick it in the hole and release.

Silicone tubing like R/C fuel lines work great also...slide the tubing over the center piece halfway up over the widest part...remember you need insulation on both the X and Y axis....start it in the hole then press it straight in by screwing an old atty on...and trim it if necessary. I usually needed to drill the hole in the connector bigger to account for the thicker walled tubing...just be sure not to drill the hole bigger than the center's flange....also make sure you deburr the hole.