TICONN 120Pcs Heat Shrink Wire Connectors, Waterproof Automotive Marine Electrical Terminals Kit, Crimp Connector Assortment, Ring Fork Spade Butt Splices

First impressions and what’s in the kit

I brought the TICONN heat‑shrink connector kit into my shop for a few weeks of mixed automotive and marine wiring: auxiliary lights on a garden tractor, an LED upgrade on a small boat, and a couple of repairs on a utility trailer. Out of the box, the kit is straightforward: a compact case with five connector types—butt splices, ring terminals (stud sizes #10, 1/4", 5/16", 3/8"), male and female quick‑disconnects, and fork terminals (#10)—across the usual red, blue, and yellow sizes for 22–10 AWG. The compartments are well laid out, and the case latch stayed shut in my tool bag. It’s not shop‑grade storage, but it’s functional and easy to work from.

The connectors themselves use tinned copper barrels encased in dual‑wall, adhesive‑lined heat‑shrink tubing rated for a 3:1 shrink ratio. The tubing clarity makes it easy to see the crimp and wire insertion depth—more useful than opaque or heavily tinted sleeves. The adhesive is the “right” kind for field work: it activates consistently with a heat gun and presents as a thin glue bead at each end without excessive oozing.

Crimping experience and tool compatibility

These connectors are at their best when paired with the right crimper. I had the most consistent results using a ratcheting crimper with heat‑shrink‑specific dies (the type with slightly rounded nests that won’t cut into the insulation). With that setup, the barrel compressed evenly and the tubing wasn’t scuffed.

I also tried a common stamped “universal” crimper from a roadside kit. It technically worked on the red and blue sizes, but it took noticeably more finesse to avoid deforming the sleeve, and the crimps were less repeatable. If you only have a basic crimper, you’ll still get passable results, but the risk of an under‑ or over‑crimp goes up. On a high‑end interchangeable‑jaw crimper with insulated terminal dies, the yellow size needed a firm final click to bite into 10–12 AWG; still, it seated reliably.

Bottom line: this kit isn’t finicky, but it does reward proper tooling. For anyone planning more than a handful of connections, a ratcheting crimper is a smart companion purchase.

Heat‑shrink performance and sealing

The 3:1 tubing shrinks quickly and predictably with a heat gun. Technique matters here: I start in the middle, then walk the heat toward each end to avoid trapping air. On jacketed marine‑grade wire, the adhesive formed a clean fillet around the jacket and the connector’s entrance, creating a uniform seal. On PVC‑jacketed automotive wire, the bond was similarly consistent.

To stress the seal, I made several 16 AWG butt splices and submerged them in a bucket for 24 hours, then flexed the joints and cut them open. I didn’t see moisture migration past the adhesive line. I also left a ring‑terminated joint outdoors through rain and a light spring freeze; after a few weeks, the adhesive bond and tubing still looked intact, and continuity remained stable.

I didn’t do a formal flame test, but during heat application there was no charring or bubbling; the tubing remained supple after cooling.

Electrical and mechanical integrity

Electrically, these performed as expected for closed‑barrel, tinned copper connectors. Using 18 AWG stranded wire in red connectors and measuring voltage drop across a butt splice at 5 A, the difference compared to a continuous wire of equal length was negligible on a handheld meter—well within what I’d consider normal for this style. With 12 AWG in yellow connectors at 15 A continuous for a 10‑minute run, the barrel got warm in a controlled, predictable way, with no signs of softening or adhesive creep.

For mechanical tests, I did simple pull checks by hand and with a luggage scale. Properly crimped red butts on 18 AWG held north of 20 lbf without slipping; blue and yellow scaled proportionally with wire size. That’s adequate for general automotive and light marine work. I wouldn’t call the barrels heavy‑duty—premium marine connectors from top-tier brands have a thicker wall and a stiffer feel—but these are far from flimsy when crimped correctly.

Connectors by type

• Butt splices: The workhorse of the kit. Clean, repeatable results and the best seal after shrinking.
• Ring terminals: The assortment of stud sizes is genuinely useful. The barrels are slightly softer than premium options; torque your fasteners sensibly and use star washers if needed.
• Fork terminals: Handy for quick service points. The tines are true; they didn’t splay during tightening.
• Quick‑disconnects (male/female): Mated well with a snug fit. For vibration‑prone applications, I still prefer locking variants, but these did not rattle loose in my tests.

Fit and finish notes

A few practical observations:
- The color coding and size bands are accurate for standard ranges (red 22–16, blue 16–14, yellow 12–10 AWG).
- Wire insertion depth markings aren’t present, so give yourself a visible strand line before crimping.
- The adhesive wets out cleanly on most jackets. If you’re working with silicone or PTFE jackets, expect less adhesion (typical of all adhesive‑lined tubing).
- The plastic case is decent. If you throw it around a jobsite, add a strip of tape over the latch.

Where this kit excels

• Automotive add‑ons: Driving lights, radios, trailer lights, and accessory circuits. The butt and ring selection covers most needs up to 10 AWG.
• Small boats and PWC: Corrosion‑resistant barrels and adhesive‑lined tubing are a big step up from bare crimps with separate heat shrink.
• Around the shop: Quick repairs on garden tractors, yard equipment, and outdoor electronics.

The strength here is versatility. Having ring terminals up to 3/8" and a full spread of butt splices in one box means fewer runs back to the bench. The 3:1 shrink ratio also makes it easier to achieve a tight seal on slightly mismatched jacket diameters.

Where it falls short

• Not a professional heavy‑duty spec: If you’re wiring mission‑critical systems, high‑amp feeds, or you need documented certification for a marine install, there are heavier‑wall, premium connectors with tighter tolerances and third‑party listings.
• Tool sensitivity: You can make these work with a cheap crimper, but consistency drops. Plan on a ratcheting crimper for best results.
• Assortment balance: As with most combo kits, you’ll burn through commonly used red and blue butt splices first. Expect to reorder or supplement those sizes.

Practical tips for best results

• Use the right die: Match red/blue/yellow to the correct nest on a ratcheting crimper made for heat‑shrink connectors.
• Strip length matters: Strip just enough to fill the barrel without stray strands; I aim for 6–7 mm on red/blue and ~8–9 mm on yellow.
• Crimp once, correctly: A single, firm crimp at the center of the barrel is better than multiple light crimps.
• Heat technique: Start at the middle and sweep toward the ends to drive air out and pull adhesive into the joint.
• Strain relief: Where possible, secure the wire within a few inches of the joint to minimize flex fatigue.

Value and alternatives

Price‑to‑performance is the selling point. Premium marine connectors from the marquee brands do feel more substantial, particularly in the yellow size, and they crimp with a reassuring firmness. They also cost significantly more. For general automotive and light‑duty marine work, this TICONN kit covers most bases without making you flinch when you reach for a second connector to redo a questionable crimp.

The verdict

After using the TICONN heat‑shrink connector kit across several small projects, I came away impressed with the overall consistency and sealing performance, and mindful of its limits. The barrels are adequately robust, the adhesive‑lined tubing seals reliably, and the assortment is well chosen for 22–10 AWG work. With a proper ratcheting crimper, the results are clean, durable, and weather‑resistant. If you need the absolute heaviest‑duty terminal for professional, high‑liability installations, step up to a premium line. For everyday automotive, marine, and shop repairs, this kit is a practical, budget‑friendly staple.

Recommendation: I recommend the TICONN kit for DIYers and working technicians who need dependable, waterproof crimps without paying a premium. Pair it with a ratcheting crimper, respect the wire size ranges, and it will deliver solid, repeatable connections for the vast majority of 12V and low‑voltage tasks.