PVC Heat Shrink Tubing for RC Battery Packs — Protect, Insulate & Identify Your Cells
If you've ever had a battery pack with a torn wrapper, exposed cells, or a loose sleeve rattling around inside your RC car, drone, or boat, you know how quickly a small cosmetic issue can become a safety concern. This PVC heat shrink tubing is designed for hobbyists, RC builders, and electronics technicians who need a reliable, clean-fitting sleeve to wrap and protect LiPo, NiMH, and NiCd battery packs of all sizes.
Each piece is sold as a 1-meter (≈39.4") length of PVC heat shrink tubing. Flat widths range from 60mm (≈2.4") to 625mm (≈24.6"), with the corresponding recovered inner diameter (Φ) listed for each size — for example, the 60mm flat width recovers to approximately Φ38mm (≈1.5"). Colors available include Black, Blue, Green, Red, Transparent, Silver Grey, Fruit Green, Yellow, Purple, White, Blue Thickened, and Transparent Thickened. Thickened variants offer additional wall strength for packs that see heavy mechanical stress.
Typical use cases include rewrapping RC car battery packs after cell replacement, sleeving drone LiPo packs for identification by color, protecting NiMH sub-C cell assemblies in power tools, and bundling wire harnesses or cable looms in automotive and marine builds. The wide size range makes this tubing suitable for everything from small 2S LiPo sticks to large multi-cell NiCd torpedo packs.
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Compatible with LiPo, LiIon, NiMH, NiCd, and A123 battery pack formats. Verify flat width against your pack circumference before ordering — see FAQ below for sizing guidance.
✅ Key Features of These PVC Heat Shrink Battery Pack Sleeves
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📐Wide Size Range — Flat widths from 60mm to 625mm cover everything from compact 2S LiPo sticks to large NiCd torpedo packs, with the recovered inner diameter (Φ) clearly listed for each variant.
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🎨Multiple Color Options — Available in Black, Blue, Green, Red, Transparent, Silver Grey, Fruit Green, Yellow, Purple, White, and thickened variants, making it easy to color-code battery packs by chemistry, voltage, or capacity.
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🔥Clean Heat-Activated Shrink — Shrinks uniformly with a standard heat gun at approximately 90–120°C, conforming tightly to irregular pack shapes without bubbling or splitting.
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🛡️Insulating & Abrasion-Resistant — PVC construction provides electrical insulation and surface protection, reducing the risk of shorts from exposed cell contacts or chafing against chassis rails.
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✂️Cut-to-Length Flexibility — Each 1M piece can be trimmed to any shorter length before or after shrinking, minimizing waste and allowing precise fitment on non-standard pack dimensions.
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💪Thickened Variants Available — Blue Thickened and Transparent Thickened options offer increased wall thickness for packs subject to mechanical impact, vibration, or repeated handling in competitive RC applications.
📐 Technical Specifications — PVC Heat Shrink Tubing
| Material |
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) |
| Shrink Ratio |
Typically 2:1 (recovers to approximately half original diameter) |
| Flat Width Range |
60mm (≈2.4") to 625mm (≈24.6") |
| Inner Diameter (Φ) Range |
Φ38mm (≈1.5") to Φ398mm (≈15.7") — see variant options |
| Length per Piece |
1 meter (≈39.4") |
| Activation Temperature |
Typically 90–120°C (194–248°F) |
| Available Colors |
Black, Blue, Green, Red, Transparent, Silver Grey, Fruit Green, Yellow, Purple, White, Blue Thickened, Transparent Thickened |
| Wall Thickness (Standard) |
See variant options — thickened variants available for select sizes |
| Compatibility |
LiPo, LiIon, NiMH, NiCd, A123 battery packs; wire harnesses; cable looms |
| Quantity per Order |
1 piece (1 meter length) |
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Sizing note: The flat width listed is the tubing measured flat before shrinking. To find the right size, measure your battery pack's circumference and divide by 2. If your pack circumference is 120mm, select the 60mm flat-width tube. When in doubt, size up — you can always trim excess length, but you cannot stretch tubing that is too small.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose the right flat width for my battery pack?
Measure the circumference of your battery pack, then divide by 2 to get the required flat width. For example, a pack with a 76mm circumference needs approximately a 38mm flat-width tube — which corresponds to the 60mm flat / Φ38mm variant listed here. When in doubt, size up slightly — PVC shrink tubing typically shrinks 40–50% in diameter when heat is applied, so a slightly larger tube will still conform well.
What shrink ratio does this PVC tubing have?
PVC heat shrink tubing generally has a 2:1 shrink ratio, meaning it shrinks to approximately half its original diameter when heated. The listed inner diameter (Φ) reflects the recovered size after shrinking. For example, the 60mm flat-width tube recovers to approximately Φ38mm inner diameter.
Is this tubing safe for LiPo, NiMH, and NiCd battery packs?
Yes. This PVC heat shrink tubing is commonly used to wrap and protect LiPo, NiMH, and NiCd RC battery packs. It provides insulation, abrasion resistance, and a secure fit. Always use a heat gun at a controlled temperature — typically 90–120°C — and keep it moving to avoid overheating battery cells beneath the sleeve.
Can I use this tubing outdoors or in wet conditions?
PVC heat shrink tubing generally offers good moisture resistance and is suitable for light outdoor use in RC vehicles, boats, and drones. It is not rated for continuous submersion. For harsh outdoor or marine environments, a dual-wall adhesive-lined tubing would provide a more fully sealed result.
What tool do I need to shrink this tubing?
A standard heat gun is recommended. Most PVC heat shrink tubing activates at around 90–120°C (194–248°F). Keep the heat gun moving evenly around the tube to avoid scorching or uneven shrinkage. A hair dryer is generally not hot enough for reliable results on larger diameter tubing.
Does the color affect performance or electrical properties?
No — color is purely cosmetic. All standard color variants share the same material properties and shrink ratio. Transparent tubing allows you to see labels, cell markings, or capacity ratings underneath, while opaque colors like Black or Blue provide a cleaner finished appearance. Thickened variants (Blue Thickened, Transparent Thickened) offer increased wall thickness regardless of color.
Can I cut this tubing to a custom length?
Yes. Each piece is sold in 1-meter (≈39.4") lengths and can be cut to any shorter length with scissors or a utility knife before or after shrinking. For longer packs, multiple pieces can be overlapped slightly at the seam. Cutting before shrinking is generally easier for precise fitment.
🛒 Select your width and color above, then add to cart — ships from our US warehouse.
