luvdunhill Posted August 28, 2009 Report Posted August 28, 2009 Well, Pars once said that finding connectors it the (one of the) most boring part of DIY. Well, I can only say that finding a suitable multi-conductor cable might be a very close second. Here's what I'm looking for: total diameter 0.195" - 0.265" 6 conductor 400V will be the maximum potential carried, so I suppose 200V jacket is fine. I'm not sure the maximum conductor diameter, as I cannot find this stated specifically for the Switchcraft EN3 series Here's the "datasheet", perhaps someone else can find it. Switchcraft The funny thing is that they give 14awg ratings here: http://www.alliedelec.com/Images/Products/Datasheets/BM/SWITCHCRAFT/SWITCHCRAFT_INTERCONNECT-WIRE-AND-CABLE_9320142.PDF but, there is no way that will fit, so I'm a bit confused...
Pars Posted August 28, 2009 Report Posted August 28, 2009 Did I say that? I would take a look at Belden or Alpha or Carol multiconductor cable, or I would also consider just making your own out of SPC of appropriate gauge(s) and maybe some techflex. The teflon SPC should be good for 600V (300V mil-spec) or more. You will also have a problem finding anyone who will sell this by the foot I would think. As far as the connectors go, my .pdf plug-in is having problems opening Mouser's catalog pages, and Switchcraft's datasheet is also a problem. Don't the connector pn's specify the pin gauge?
n_maher Posted August 28, 2009 Report Posted August 28, 2009 It's going to take a big connector to fit 6 of anything larger than say ~18ga. Unfortunately the Amphenol C16-M connectors that I used on Monkey's beta22 are only rated for 250V so I'm not sure they'd work. If push comes to shove just go DUAL MONOS on its ass and do two 3-wire cables. That has to be like, at least twice as good, right? As far as the cable goes I'd just braid your own.
Looser101 Posted August 28, 2009 Report Posted August 28, 2009 16 gauge for 2 and 3 pin connectors 20 gauge for 4 pins and up http://www.switchcraft.com/products/pdf_files/connector-28c_schematic.pdf
spritzer Posted August 28, 2009 Report Posted August 28, 2009 I hear that the Neutrik SpeakCon's are excellent for umbilical cables...
luvdunhill Posted August 28, 2009 Author Report Posted August 28, 2009 Unfortunately, I'd rather not use a new connector, as I need a PCB mount version of relatively low cost... well, that and the PCB is nearly done and I don't want to have to mess with changing it Remember, I need the total diameter to be < 0.265" to fit the cable gland. Looks like I'll just make my own then. I'm wondering if 22 awg might even be too big... stupid "datasheet". I guess I'll track some 22 awg down and just see how that fits and go from there. Just found a really good deal on the Teflon Belden wire I use for hook-up though, so that's a plus.
luvdunhill Posted August 28, 2009 Author Report Posted August 28, 2009 16 gauge for 2 and 3 pin connectors 20 gauge for 4 pins and up http://www.switchcraft.com/products/pdf_files/connector-28c_schematic.pdf I think that is the gauge of the pins themselves. Anyways, why publish ratings of the 8 pin version with 14 awg wire if it cannot even fit the connectors? http://www.alliedelec.com/Images/Products/Datasheets/BM/SWITCHCRAFT/SWITCHCRAFT_INTERCONNECT-WIRE-AND-CABLE_9320142.PDF
spritzer Posted August 28, 2009 Report Posted August 28, 2009 It's certainly the size of the pins, not what wire they would accept. "Contact Size #20". If you are using the solder cups version then I'd guess 16AWG would work but it's only guesswork. What current are you looking at here? Ohh and the Speakon thing was just a jab at SP.
luvdunhill Posted August 28, 2009 Author Report Posted August 28, 2009 It's certainly the size of the pins, not what wire they would accept. "Contact Size #20". If you are using the solder cups version then I'd guess 16AWG would work but it's only guesswork. What current are you looking at here? Ohh and the Speakon thing was just a jab at SP. 1.5A max. no, it's really small, 16AWG is much, much to big. That's the strange thing, why isn't it on the datasheet? Anyways, I'll check tonite and see if 22 awg will fit and go from there. Nice connectors by the way.
spritzer Posted August 28, 2009 Report Posted August 28, 2009 22AWG should be the way to go then but it is strange that they don't have it on the datasheet. It really is one of those things that a designer would like to know... Perhaps there is some general spec sheet for this line of connectors where this could be found?
luvdunhill Posted September 1, 2009 Author Report Posted September 1, 2009 Got my Belden wire today, and it's the real deal. I expected it to be on a spool though.. oh well. Has anyone tried to tightly twist a pair of wires (i.e. heaters, and in fact 2 pair in this case) inside a multistranded umbilical? I wonder how this will work...
spritzer Posted September 2, 2009 Report Posted September 2, 2009 I did something similar for the ES-1 umbilical. I used some PVC wire for the filaments, twisted it with an electric drill and then separated the two pairs from the DC by wrapping it in teflon tape inside the umbilical. This seems to work ok with next to no hum in the "good" channel.
n_maher Posted September 2, 2009 Report Posted September 2, 2009 Has anyone tried to tightly twist a pair of wires (i.e. heaters, and in fact 2 pair in this case) inside a multistranded umbilical? I wonder how this will work... Yes, I've done something similar to that. It can be a bit of a pain if you're trying to house it all inside sleeving but it should be doable.
luvdunhill Posted September 2, 2009 Author Report Posted September 2, 2009 yeah, I was more worried how the cable would "feel" or "lay" with two pair of twisted wire inside... I'll try it out in the next couple days and report back.
n_maher Posted September 2, 2009 Report Posted September 2, 2009 I'm assuming you're using the 18ga stuff, right? If so I have some 5/16" NMF that might be big enough to fit the mess inside. Just let me know how much you need if you want to try and pretty it up. I have a spool...
luvdunhill Posted September 2, 2009 Author Report Posted September 2, 2009 I'm assuming you're using the 18ga stuff, right? If so I have some 5/16" NMF that might be big enough to fit the mess inside. Just let me know how much you need if you want to try and pretty it up. I have a spool... 18ga won't fit. The largest that will fit is 22awg. I think it will work out, we'll see soon.
swt61 Posted September 3, 2009 Report Posted September 3, 2009 That looks nice! You should be careful laying it out on your new smoking jacket though, it could snag.
luvdunhill Posted September 4, 2009 Author Report Posted September 4, 2009 Thanks guys! Total, the cable was about $40, including the chassis jacks. The connectors are available just about anywhere, but here are the Mouser part numbers for the ones I used: 502-EN3C6M 502-EN3C6F 502-EN3P6M 502-EN3P6F ... and more pics:
Fitz Posted September 4, 2009 Report Posted September 4, 2009 That Panavise has had a few fights with your soldering iron, huh?
spritzer Posted September 4, 2009 Report Posted September 4, 2009 So we can make you build umbilicals for us now...?
swt61 Posted September 4, 2009 Report Posted September 4, 2009 That Panavise has had a few fights with your soldering iron, huh? I was thinking it looked pretty good, considering the amount of work it's seen. Marc's house should be on a DIY field trip tour. You really can't describe the awesome stuff he has laying around everywhere. Some seriously cool shit!
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