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I have 2, 2-foot pieces of flexwatt that I woulk like to splice together to make 1 4 foot peice. By doing this I could control all 4 feet with just one dimmer. I want to use it on a rack I just built for babies. I was thinking of using "jumper" wires to connect the copper strips. Or could I lay them side-by-side, cut away the milar to make copper meet copper, then solder together?

Here is a dumb question, but I have only soldered copper water pipe. Is this the same solder as for electic? If not, what should I use?

Any ideas/suggestions on HOW to best do this is appreciated.

I just wanted to check to see if anyone has done this before. Thanks for the help.

I just did this same thing and used regular rosin core solder as you would for most electronic connections. I used jumper wires to connect to 3 foot sections. I can't give you long term results as it's still being tested in my shop.
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Cool. Thanks. How long were your jumper wires? Did you do more than 2 pieces together? I am glad it is working. I am going to try it. But it sounds like the solder for pipes is different than for electric. Correct? Thanks again.

Marco

Yes the two solders are different. you will need the "electronics solder" the plumbing solder has more flux core to it and will not bond well and takes alot to do so .

As hook stated you can make jumper wires to them or you can also cut & peel back the laminate over the conductors of the flexwatt and solder them directly together ( ilike this best )

1- cut and peel back the layer of laminate on each conductor of the flexwatt
2- use the soldering iron to melt a smalle puddle of solder onto the conductor
3-place the next pc of flexwat with the exposed conductor on top of the first pc
4- heat the the conductor up of the second pc this will cause the solder to liquify and bond the two conductors
5- then once this is done solder the top conductor over the top overlapping the solder joint onto the lower conductor and allow itto heat and flow evenly out over the two.

once both sides are done the the same i like to use "tool dip" over electrical tap as its a better bonding materials onto the laminate as electrical tape can heat and loose its ability to bond well as the adhesive dries out.
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The link below has good examples on how to wire flexwatt. I use the soldering method myself (easier for me) and several heavy coats of liquid electrical tape (lowes, radio shack, etc) to cover and seal the joints. Then any joint that might ever have anthing actually touch it also gets covered with real electrical tape mostly for abrasion protection.
http://www.arbreptiles.com/cages/flexwire.shtml

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Astronomy Picture of the Day

Use jumper wires. And *make sure* you use electronics solder (radio shack, etc). It generally uses a rosin core and won't eat your electronics like acid core does.
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Astronomy Picture of the Day

Thanks for all the advice. I am going to give it a try and hope for the best. Later