Wiring with IDE Cable (and other things)

[JeSo]

Another round of questions..  
Finished my psx pad hack, and, partly to my surprise (first time soldering and all), it works!
A couple of things though. Firstly, I used an old IDE cable for the wiring, which seemed like a good idea at the time, but is now giving me problems, I'm using disconnects (I believe thats what they're called?) to connect to the microswitches, and had also planned to have everything connected with a couple of barrier strips (again, I think that's what they're called, little plastic things with holes and screws?). The problem is though, the IDE cable wire seems to be too thin, and, umm, fragile. I can't get it to stay in the barrier strip without pulling out at the slightest mention of movement, and the same with the disconnects, I crimp it in there, it holds up for a little while, and then out it comes. So, any ideas on that? How can I make it stay in its place?
Second problem, which is kind of similar, the microswitches on the joystick (Sanwa, umm, something) and the admin buttons have smaller connectors than the ones on the player buttons, and the disconnects don't hold securely to them (ie, they fall off almost instantly). Again, any ideas there? Are there smaller disconnects available? Or any other solution? (apart from replacing the switches, I want to avoid that)
Last thing, not really a problem, but I thought I'd ask. Does anyone know where I can obtain a psx>pc adapter for the controller in Australia? (and at a decent price)
Thanks in advance people  

[bloodyviking77]

you can always just strip more of the end of each wire, then double it up (or even triple) and fold over before inserting into the quick disconnect/screw terminal.

[BldnACab]

From Bob Roberts, for AC power and grounds, use 18 AWG (.821 mm2) gauge wire.  From Arcade Solutions, for the rest of it use 22 to 28 AWG (.326 to .081 mm2) gauge wire.

This is what I am going by. I didn't think the wire in an IDE cable would be the right guage wiring to use.

BldnACab

[pmc]

From Bob Roberts, for AC power and grounds, use 18 AWG (.821 mm2) gauge wire.  From Arcade Solutions, for the rest of it use 22 to 28 AWG (.326 to .081 mm2) gauge wire.

This is what I am going by. I didn't think the wire in an IDE cable would be the right guage wiring to use.

It'll work OK. Just get a barrier strip that fits that gauge properly (or thread it a couple of times). I used butt-connnectors because I didn't have space under the panel for barrier strips. It's messy looking, but it works fine.  I like the IDE connectors alot.

[slinger]

I also used ribbon cable to wire my buttons but I soldered right to the Microswitches (I have no need to remove them).

Ribbon cable is 22 ga and the quick disconnects you are using are probably 18ga(red), also blue is 14ga. just double or tripple the bare wire up then tin it or use the disconnects.

[DAmnb]

Ive always been partial to stripping old TP cables and using that, nice gauge several colors and I have tons of it  

About that PSX-PC adapter I would recommend Fleabay, picked up a dual PSX-PC Usb adapter for a couple of dollars incl shipping.

[Carsten Carlos]

I did it like this - see the picture below! The PCB there is fairly easy, I just had to solder the plug into it, and the bigger wires that go to the joysticks & buttons. Got some additonal informations on my homepage.

The colored wires to the buttons are now replaced by thicker ones - have to update this. Never use solid wires to connect the buttons, they easily break at least in a swappable environment.  

[tmasman]

Wire -> Quick Disconnects:
You could also solder the wires to the disconnects after crimping...

Wire -> Barrier strip:
Either add crimp on forked disconnects (I'm not sure what they are really called, but the just have a forked end... soldered after crimping), or "tin" the end of the wire with a lot of solder. It should be thick enough to be held pretty well then.

Dissconnect -> switch:
I had a similar problem... My disconnects were too big for the tabs. I just used a pair of pliers to close  the disconnect a little before putting it on the tab... Just don't squeeze it too tight or it'll be impossible to put on the tabs!  They bend easily, so just do it gently.

Good luck!

[RandyT]

IMHO, IDE cabling is just too thin to be a "good idea" unless it is used with the appropriate connectors and as a "bridge" between an encoder and another junction point (not to a switch.)

It's not that it can't function or carry the signal properly, but it doesn't have the durability.  Most cables I have seen use 28ga stranded wire, which means the only chance you have of using them with standard quick disconnects is to double or triple fold the end before you put it into the connector.  You can also "tin" the folded wire with some solder beforehand for a little extra girth.

But keep in mind that while this might keep it from pulling off easily, it doesn't do anything to strengthen the wire.  It won't take much more than wiggling that thin cable back and forth a few times for it to break

As a general recommendation, stay within the range of 24ga to 20ga wire for controls.  Heavier than that is probably just overkill, especially for a home unit.

FWIW,
RandyT

[Lilwolf]

If you aren't really going to touch these... it is doable.

I did it to connect my MK64 -> a breakout terminal.  And I have had no problems.

They seem like they are too thin... But I doubled them up, crimped them on (red) and have had no problems with them... but I don't touch those areas often.