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How to make an interconnect Step by Step With Pics - Page 11

post #151 of 1002
7/15/04 at 3:29pm
"Step3: Reference Pic 3
Now you will see 4 wires. Pick 2 of them and designate them as ground and then the other 2 are left and right. Cut the insulation off the ground wires and solder them to the part of the plug that corresponds to ground, usually the part of the connector that has the most surface area and has threading on it for the cover to screw on to."

Just a quick question here-- I haven't read through this entire thread-- in the picture, there are two blue wires and two white wires. I understand to solder the blue ones to the ground, and then one white to the left and the other to the right. But when I'm doing the other end of the cable, how do I know which white wire I soldered to left and which wire I soldered to right? i.e. what would happen if I soldered one particular wire to left at the first end of the cable, and then mistakenly soldered the other end of that particular wire to right at the other end? How can I prevent from doing something like that?

thanks in advance,
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post #152 of 1002
7/15/04 at 4:06pm
Quote:
But when I'm doing the other end of the cable, how do I know which white wire I soldered to left and which wire I soldered to right?
[obiwan]Use the multimeter, Luke.[/obiwan] Check for resistance from the end of one wire to an end on the other side of the cable. If it's less than infinite resistance, the two ends are on the same wire.
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post #153 of 1002
7/15/04 at 4:14pm
Also, (another noob question here).. where do I get the rubber sleeve that goes under the connector cover? Or does that come with the connector? So far, I know where to go for techflex, cable, Canare or Switchcraft connectors.... any other items (such as the rubber sleeves) that I'm missing?

Also, do I need a multimeter, or can I do without one? How much do they cost? Where's the best place to get one?
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post #154 of 1002
7/15/04 at 7:35pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by appar111
Also, (another noob question here).. where do I get the rubber sleeve that goes under the connector cover? Or does that come with the connector? So far, I know where to go for techflex, cable, Canare or Switchcraft connectors.... any other items (such as the rubber sleeves) that I'm missing?

Also, do I need a multimeter, or can I do without one? How much do they cost? Where's the best place to get one?
you dont need an expensive meter. a 20.00 ratshack meter will do just fine.

What rubber connectors? the heatshrink, if so you need to buy it. most places that sell techflex sell heatshrink.

If you are talking about internal protection in the connector, most come with a plastic sleave.
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post #155 of 1002
7/16/04 at 9:44am
I was talking about the latter--- good to know that the connectors come with those... I found a decent $20 multimeter at Lowe's, as well as a Weller soldering iron, which I'm told is much better than the Radio Shack irons...

How the heck do I use a multimeter? I'm not even sure what it's used for...
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post #156 of 1002
7/16/04 at 11:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by appar111
I was talking about the latter--- good to know that the connectors come with those... I found a decent $20 multimeter at Lowe's, as well as a Weller soldering iron, which I'm told is much better than the Radio Shack irons...

How the heck do I use a multimeter? I'm not even sure what it's used for...
What model did you get?
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post #157 of 1002
7/16/04 at 1:22pm
Thread Starter 
you might want to read your manual for teh meter

just use the ohms setting or continuity setting (the one that beeps when there is a "short")
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post #158 of 1002
7/16/04 at 2:18pm
It's an AW Sperry from Lowes:

http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=prod...3-1118-DM350-A

I haven't actually bought any of my cable making supplies, but with this tutorial, and the DIY cable pics, it's really inspired me. It doesn't look all too difficult, and maybe I can start offering my services once I get good at making cables!
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post #159 of 1002
7/16/04 at 7:53pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by appar111
It's an AW Sperry from Lowes:

http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=prod...3-1118-DM350-A

I haven't actually bought any of my cable making supplies, but with this tutorial, and the DIY cable pics, it's really inspired me. It doesn't look all too difficult, and maybe I can start offering my services once I get good at making cables!

that link doesn't work for me.

the cables are really easy to make, preperation is the longest part of the process, the soldering is seconds. I have only made a few cables and i can get one done in under 15 minutes.
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post #160 of 1002
7/17/04 at 3:44pm
Whoops, I forgot you need to add in your local zip code for that site. It's just an inexpensive AW Sperry multimeter, yellow. I figure that's gonna be the most expensive part of the initial setup to start making cables.

But once I get started, I'm sure it will be addictive. Just begs the question-- how many cables do I really need around the house?
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post #161 of 1002
7/17/04 at 4:05pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by appar111
Whoops, I forgot you need to add in your local zip code for that site. It's just an inexpensive AW Sperry multimeter, yellow. I figure that's gonna be the most expensive part of the initial setup to start making cables.

But once I get started, I'm sure it will be addictive. Just begs the question-- how many cables do I really need around the house?

now you are thinking...when i get my new reciever for my HT, i am going to be building all new cables for that too.....
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post #162 of 1002
7/20/04 at 3:08am
it is a very informative guide. I am very ignorance about cable and other DIY stuffs though. I still do not understand the idea of grounding(isnt the purpose of grounding is to provide a shorten path to release the charge, netural the potential different in order to avoid shock?). Is there any good book or internet site that I can get more information on electronic stuffs.
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post #163 of 1002
7/30/04 at 11:14pm
Couple questions, does the canare starquad fit in the canare F12s perfectly or is it too loose/tight? Secondly what size techflex would you use for that... 1/8 or 1/4"? Thirdly where are you guys finding the cool colors! Everything I find is plain colors except the fire retardent stuff which has some "tracers" on it.
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post #164 of 1002
8/4/04 at 9:22am
Just to settle the "use the white wires for signal" thing regarding Canare Star Quad:

The reason given for this, originally by Ebonyks, was because the dielectric properties of PVC insulation are degraded by coloring agents. So, white = no color, therefore no degradation, therefore better for signal.

For one thing, this assumes that that pure, bright white you see on two of the wires is the natural color of PVC. I'm not sure that's so. If it's not, the white insulators have colorants just like the blue ones.

Much more importantly, as pointed out by fiddler, Canare Star Quad doesn't use PVC insulation. See their web page here. Indeed the jacketing of the cable, which affects (or not) all 4 conductors equally, is PVC. But the insulation on the conductors themselves is shown as "IPE," presumably irradiated polyethylene, a better dielectric material.

So the "use white for signal" issue, whether or not one believes it would make a difference for PVC insulation, is moot for Canare Star Quad.

Peace,
Sanaka
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post #165 of 1002
8/4/04 at 3:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by widds2v
Couple questions, does the canare starquad fit in the canare F12s perfectly or is it too loose/tight? Secondly what size techflex would you use for that... 1/8 or 1/4"? Thirdly where are you guys finding the cool colors! Everything I find is plain colors except the fire retardent stuff which has some "tracers" on it.
The starquad fits perfectly in the F12s. So perfectly, in fact, that if you want to use techflex over it, you won't be able to use the metal strain reliefs.

If you use 1/8" techflex, then more of the color of the cable will show through. If you use 1/4" techflex, the techflex color will be the predominant color.

Parts Express has a range of colors of techflex. Look here .

Also, if you buy some, do yourself a favor and buy the $9 hot knife, too. Techflex has this miraculous property of unraveling very quickly if you cut it with scissors. Resist the temptation to cut it with your soldering iron - it'll gunk up the tip like you wouldn't believe!

-Drew
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