Electrical Duct Tape is NOT Electrical Tape!

[jzak]

Wish I could go back in time and tell the previous owner that duct tape is not a viable alternative to electrical tape. Ten years latter its a rotted mess causing a short.

 

[Belizean]

Is it, electrical tape much better ? The reason I ask is around here with the heat and humidity, it seems that the electrical tape turns into a hot gooey mess after a decade. Have not used duct tape either though and it degrades also I know. Especially in the sun.

 

[jzak]

Is it, electrical tape much better ? The reason I ask is around here with the heat and humidity, it seems that the electrical tape turns into a hot gooey mess after a decade. Have not used duct tape either though and it degrades also I know. Especially in the sun.

I've never had electrical tape literally disintegrate in my hands.

 

[Belizean]

I've never had electrical tape literally disintegrate in my hands.

I agree on that. Like a dust when it breaks down.

 

[TSB8C]

Yep. Duck tape gets dry, brittle, and falls into dust. Electrical tape get gooey and looses its stickiness and starts to come off. The best approach is heat shrink tubing where possible. Wherever I can, I solder wire joints/splices and use heat shrink tuning over the connections.

 

[Belizean]

Yeah I’ve been doing the heat shrink tubing for a while now also.

 

[jzak]

Yep. Duck tape gets dry, brittle, and falls into dust. Electrical tape get gooey and looses its stickiness and starts to come off. The best approach is heat shrink tubing where possible. Wherever I can, I solder wire joints/splices and use heat shrink tuning over the connections.

I think it also depends on the brand of electrical tape. You get that pack of 5 for $.99 at Harbor Freight, it's gunna start breaking down soon. I've used 3M electrical tape on spliced wires in my CJ5 , and 10 years later it's still holding tight. Unlike duct tape which turns to dust after a few months exposed to the elements.

 

[TSB8C]

Yep - Quality make a difference as well.

 

[TeamRush]

Ironically, no one told AMC this fact.

The factory splice on the 'Run' ignition wire splice (module, choke & alternator) had duct tape on it from the factory.

 

[CJ]

Ironically, no one told AMC this fact.

The factory splice on the 'Run' ignition wire splice (module, choke & alternator) had duct tape on it from the factory.

Yep, I remember my '72 had duct tape on the external wire between the coil and condenser.