Techflex - How to use to protect, color code, and add a unique look to

[mklett33 32]

Tech Flex is something that I have always loved using in my installs. It not only helps to protect the wire I find that it has a number of other uses as follows:

 

Color Code Wire

Bundle Similar Wires

Link the Wire to the theme of your iinstall

Refresh otherwise "bad" looking wire

 

In this thread I would like to share my process for covering a wire in techflex as well as some of the techniques I have learned for working with it. In this example I am going to be bundling two RCA cables together to make a 4 channel run that is tied together at one end and seperate at the other.

 

It looks like this when complete:

 

 

 

Lets begin:

 

To start I prepare my wire and tech flex. The wire I am using is KnuKonceptz:

 

 

I find that I have to use .75" Tech Flex for anything RCA's. For other size wiring follow the following chart:

 

8 Gauge - 1/8"

4 Gauge - 3/8"

0 Gauge - 1/2"

 

If you are bundling multiple wires you can measure the diameter and determine the size needed by knowing that techflex expands to 1.5x its original diameter. So 1.00" Techflex could be used for up to 1.50" size wire or bundles of wire.

 

Here is a spool of the 3/4"

 

 

In order to begin sliding the RCA's through I hold them like this. It may help to actually tape them together like this. Also if you are running multiple separate wires through you will want to tape them together temporarily.

 

 

 

 

To begin passing the wire through I bunch up the techflex and then allow it to pass over the wire. Like this:

 

 

This is shown better in the video link that I will post below, but you get the idea. As you work down the length of the wire with the swollen section the techflex will move down the wire. You will have to do this multiple times to cover the length of wire you want to cover.

 

 

Once I got to this point I stopped because i wanted to have the RCA's be able to separate based on the locations of the amps. I did not cut the length of techflex before starting because with the expansion of the techflex itself the length can change. Its best to apply it then cut.

 

 

Now its time to cut the techflex. I have a nice heat knife I use from WireCare.com :: Your Cable Management SuperStore! but you can also heat up an exacto knife and use it. This is shown in the video. You must use one of these methods or the techflex will fray, the ends must be melted to each other. 

 

[mklett33 32]

With the techflex cut I am now going to terminate the end where the RCA's are close to one another.

 

 

I cut a 1.5" length of 1.5" heat shrink, and shrink it to size:

 

 

 

Now we have this end to clean up:

 

 

I put two more lengths of techflex over the separate wires like this:

 

 

And once again cover with a 1.5" length of techflex:

 

 

Now all that is left to do is terminate the seperated ends:

 

 

And here is our finished product! 

 

 

Now there are some added touches we can add to the wire to finalize. Watch the following video to see!

 

[Mark LaFountain 1,054]

very cool.  Never seen this before.  Love it.

[rowdyful7 10]

i will be using this in my next build looks great thanks for sharing this

[Notorious97200 339]

Can't see videos for now.
I will take a look when I get my laptop, home  

[The enD 467]

Someone will pop up your trunk and scream "Snake!"

[Shogen 325]

nice work AGAIN

[///M5 2,833]

I have an old kitchen knife and a propane torch. Cuts the flex nice and clean as well.

One step further that even makes things nicer and easier is to build your own RCA's at the same time. That way the techflex is size appropriately not for the connectors but the wire. Also makes termination nicer since everything is cut to proper length. Really cleans up an install.

[bassahaulic 155]

I plan on using Techflex at some point. Stuff looks so good when used right.


Maybe when I can build a daily driver SQ based system and don't have 12 runs of 1/0, a thousand battery jumpers, RCA's, and shit. . lol 

[gprestonmoto 89]

I have an old kitchen knife and a propane torch. Cuts the flex nice and clean as well.

One step further that even makes things nicer and easier is to build your own RCA's at the same time. That way the techflex is size appropriately not for the connectors but the wire. Also makes termination nicer since everything is cut to proper length. Really cleans up an install.

Glad I'm not the only person that always makes their own RCA's. Thought I was weird or something using RG-6

Edited August 24, 2013 by gprestonmoto