DIY Cable Questions and Comments Thread

[ben_r_]

How do you guys get paracord sleeved cables through a tight connector? I can always get the cable through but the paracord always gets snagged n pulls off the cable as I try to thread it through

Little bit of white plumbers tape on the end of the wire before feeding?

 

[Kamakahah]

A little tape as mentioned above, or leave the paracord a little long so it'll go past the end of the cable. You can then put the connector over pretty easily. Cut off the access paracord after.

 

[srslee]

  Hi, my extension cable for my IEMs ripped and I wanted to repair it and hopefully shorten the extension cable a few inches. Here's a picture of it:
 
http://imgur.com/i03sVSA
 
Would it still be possible to use the female connector in the picture or would I have to replace that entirely? I've never done this before, but I can solder. Guidance on how best to proceed would be much appreciated, thanks ^^

Please respond

 

[Kamakahah]

Lots of missing information to answer your question.

Can you open the connector?
Are the inside solder contacts in place or damaged?
Do you own a multimeter?

 

[65535]

Enameled and fiber reinforced wire, a plug that is molded on. Do yourself a favor, replace it and don't break the new one.

 

[Kamakahah]

  Enameled and fiber reinforced wire, a plug that is molded on. Do yourself a favor, replace it and don't break the new one.

 
Now that I'm looking at the picture on the computer and not my phone, I totally agree with this ^^^. 
 
Save yourself the frustration and time by simply buying new parts. It'll turn out better with far less work. 

 

[srslee]

   
Now that I'm looking at the picture on the computer and not my phone, I totally agree with this ^^^. 
 
Save yourself the frustration and time by simply buying new parts. It'll turn out better with far less work. 

 
Sounds good, the only thing is I've bought a couple replacements and cables are bulky/heavy, making it a bit uncomfortable to wear the IEMs. Any suggestions on where I could buy a 1.5 to 2 inch extension cable that's thin/light for a reasonable price? Having a difficult time finding a light cable that's around that length. Thanks guys.

 

[65535]

What IEMs do you have and what length from connector to connector do you want the cable to be? Does it need 3 button remote inline, or other features?

 

[srslee]

Audio-Technica CKM500. Length needs to be any around 1.5 to 2 inches long and doesn't need any other features ^^

 

[lljayll]

Hey Guys, I just have a quick question about the drain wire. It is only connected on one end when making an RCA jack and not on the other? I tried a search but couldn't find this info. I'm even seeing conflicting things online. 

 

[65535]

It's more preference, I do both sides for more mechanical strength than anything. You can do it to just one though.

 

[PXSS]

Not really.
From the Van Den Hul Wiring Guide:

Using shielded twin core cable is recommended:
In this situation the audio signal ground is carried by a dedicated line, which signal current, being separated from the shield, can not easily be interfered with by the shield’s noise currents caused by external interference. This advantage especially counts when low (e.g. microphone) signal levels are being transferred and/or long cable lengths are used. (With shielded single core cable on the other hand, the noise signal built up across the shield effectively is in series with (i.e. adds up to) the audio signal).
Furthermore, in connecting the shield to ground only at one side of the cable and lifting it at the other side it functions as a true screen: It does not carry any audio signal; It screens the inner conductors and drains away unwanted noise to one location

If you do not have a twin core cable then connect the shield on both ends

 

[65535]

Not really.
From the Van Den Hul Wiring Guide:
If you do not have a twin core cable then connect the shield on both ends

 
I don't think it would be considered a drain wire on a single conductor cable. Generally I've only seen drain wire indicated on multi-conductor cable such as balanced or control cable.

 

[PXSS]

Not really.

From the Van Den Hul Wiring Guide:

If you do not have a twin core cable then connect the shield on both ends

I don't think it would be considered a drain wire on a single conductor cable. Generally I've only seen drain wire indicated on multi-conductor cable such as balanced or control cable.

The drain wire simply serves as an easier soldering point to the shield. Whether its single core or multi core, the drain is still the shield and thus you would connect it as the shield on the source side or both depending on the number of core wires.

 

[lljayll]

Thanks for the replies guys.
 
Quote:

The drain wire simply serves as an easier soldering point to the shield. Whether its single core or multi core, the drain is still the shield and thus you would connect it as the shield on the source side or both depending on the number of core wires.

 
What I'm planning to do is use a wire with four inner wires and a shielding mesh. I want to use two of the wires as a positive and two as the ground. So do I connect the shield wire on one side or both sides? I'm suspecting only on one side.