U360 optional extras

[notroubleclubber]

Hi.

Ive bought a u360 and need to connect some buttons to it instead of using an ipac.
Ive noticed it has a simple plug in connector with an optional harness for the buttons. This looks very similar to an ide connection.
Would i get away with just using a ide cable cut down and stripping it down to wire to the buttons?
Or should i pay the extra £7 or so for the optional harness?

Just trying to save pennies along the way!

[syph007]

Ya go ahead and use any connector that fits, nothing special about the pre made one.  I have a discount electronics store near me I just picked up a connector from and made my own.  The nice thing about doing your own is that you can make it the perfect fit.

Here's mine.

[monkey puzzle]

I did this just last week. They use a standard size spacing of the pins, so it's easy to find something that fits. I cut the sockets from some old flat ribbon cable type connections. I cut away some of the plastic housing, and soldered my wires directly to the copper sockets. I then cut (not quite) in half, and glued the 2 pieces together. I haven't tried it out yet, but I can't see any reason why they wouldn't work, they fit perfectly.

Ultimarc does some great products but they do charge quite a lot for all the little extras you need to buy. I'm currently making some round restrictor plates using some spare sheet plastic and a 1" hole saw.

[Nephasth]

If you have the appropriate crimpers and dies (see post #69 in the Two-Headed Beast thread), it's easy to make the harness properly. Connector part number is 0022552101. Pins for the connecter are part number 0016020086 (at least the ones I use).