Potential problem with db37...Please help

[dema]

Okay. I just cut a db37 cable in half and I just realized a potential problem. The cable that makes up the 37 pins is very small, and I'm guessing it's smaller than the 22awg limit on the female disconnects. This could be a problem when it comes to crimping, since I doubt they'll work. I suspected this could be the case when I saw that the cord wasn't much thicker than a db25 laying around, but I didn't realize how small they actually were.

Is this really a problem as I'm suspecting or is this something that can be worked with? I'm guessing that if this doesn't work that I can always buy the db37 ends and then solder 22awg wires to the connectors, and then set up the interface I had planned.

Any help would be appreciated.

[JustMichael]

I used cat5 cable for connecting my controls.  I believe it is also smaller than 22awg.  I stripped 3x the length I needed.  I then folded the wire 1/3 the way down and then folded it again so I had 3 strands side by side.  I was able to crimp the quick disconnects onto this just fine.  

[dema]

I used cat5 cable for connecting my controls.  I believe it is also smaller than 22awg.  I stripped 3x the length I needed.  I then folded the wire 1/3 the way down and then folded it again so I had 3 strands side by side.  I was able to crimp the quick disconnects onto this just fine.  

I was wondering if that worked but the problem I have is that the wire is too small to strip with the tools I have. It looks like I'm going to have to buy wire and solder it to a db37 connector.

Thanks for the information though.

[euclidean]

Just wondering why do people say not to use single strand copper like CAT 5 which is 24 AWG.  

Why is it recomended to use 22 AWG multistrand copper?

[Tiger-Heli]

Just wondering why do people say not to use single strand copper like CAT 5 which is 24 AWG.  

Why is it recomended to use 22 AWG multistrand copper?

CAT5 is acceptable.

My experience is single strand tends to be more brittle (breaks sooner if you bend it back and forth) and also tends to be harder to get a crimp connector to attach to.

But either one can be used.

[abrannan]

Just wondering why do people say not to use single strand copper like CAT 5 which is 24 AWG.  

Why is it recomended to use 22 AWG multistrand copper?

Any solid core wire has a higher potential to break and lose connection, whereas a stranded core wire bends easier, and is less likely to have a disconnect caused by breaking.  That said, I used 22 AWG solid core wire with my swappable encoders and I've only experienced one break so far.

[Lilwolf]

I used cat5 my first time... I've spent a LOT of time REWIRING all the cat5...

why?

I was having the crimps break all the time... because the wire doesn't move... all motions seems to stress the connection.

buy some wire from therealbobroberts.com

or goto homedepot and find some good speaker wire...

I am currently using wire that you dig underground for invisible dog fences... it was cheap... and works great... I jsut wish I had more then one color.

[bigmoe]

I was wondering if that worked but the problem I have is that the wire is too small to strip with the tools I have. It looks like I'm going to have to buy wire and solder it to a db37 connector.

Thanks for the information though.

I am using db25 wire, which looks like 26-28 gauge.  I bought a small-gauge wire stripper at HD for like $8.  Works great.  Then double or triple the wire like JustMichael said, and you're good to go.

b

[dema]

Are the wires strong enough to handle being stripped and crimped? They seem awfully flimsy.

[bigmoe]

Are the wires strong enough to handle being stripped and crimped? They seem awfully flimsy.

I had the same concern, but mine have held up just fine.

Getting the right stripping tool is the key, because it does a good job of not cutting the wire to be stripped.  Trying it with a mis-sized tool would be a nightmare.

[dema]

Are the wires strong enough to handle being stripped and crimped? They seem awfully flimsy.

I had the same concern, but mine have held up just fine.

Getting the right stripping tool is the key, because it does a good job of not cutting the wire to be stripped.  Trying it with a mis-sized tool would be a nightmare.

I'll give it a shot. Thank you for the heads up.