Wiring for dummies

[currygoat11]

well I'm new to wiring. And I want to do it right. Can anyone here just write up a quick 1-paragraph on what I need? Obviously I need wire. What are disconnects? Are disconnects little things that slide onto the little metal strips on the controls? How does the wire attach to the buttons/joysticks? What's the best way to secure the wire to the inside of the cab? I need a crimper and stripper tool I assume.

forgive me newbieness, hope you can help.. Thanks

currygoat

[DYNAGOD]

[Will]

I think you need to buy Project Arcade the book,it will answer these and many more questions you may have.I refer to it as the Bible and carry it around with me like it is one.I have yet to go door to door selling it (yet).

[HaRuMaN]

Nice one, DYNAGOD...  

[DYNAGOD]

a picture says a thousand words.
 

[dark_jedi]

Other than buying the Arcade book, you can download a ton of basic wiring information online. To be on the safe side, go to Ultimarc and buy the wiring kit they sell as it comes with disconnects and a decent crimper.

http://www.ultimarc.com/controls.html (Towards the bottom..)

As always, be careful and don't be afraid to ask questions! This board is stellar!

[currygoat11]

Hey guys, thanks for the info and pict!  So I assume that little disconnect fits just snugly on the little connectors on the controls? Is that correct? If so it should be fairly straightforward...

I found a large amount of old speaker wire: pict:

http://home.comcast.net/~currygoat55/cab/IMG_4558.jpg

from what I've read already in the forums from searching this wire should work just fine.... opinions?

currygoat

[Bgnome]

is it solid wire?  if so, that may be difficult to crimp and maneuver in your cab.  otherwise, just make sure that the disconnects you get match the guage of wire you have.

[currygoat11]

no it's not solid, it's made up of the very thin wires all together.... I'm considering either this or utilizing CAT5 cable ripped into individuals.... thanks!!

currygoat

[Tiger-Heli]

Other than buying the Arcade book, you can download a ton of basic wiring information online. To be on the safe side, go to Ultimarc and buy the wiring kit they sell as it comes with disconnects and a decent crimper.

http://www.ultimarc.com/controls.html (Towards the bottom..)

As always, be careful and don't be afraid to ask questions! This board is stellar!

That's the tool you need.  You might find a better price elsewhere.  I noticed the other day Crutchfield has these for $2.99, not sure of shipping, though.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-ZEaZGYW8IF7/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=820&I=263RCVRKIT

[rsoandrew]

for crimping, I've discovered this tool at harbor freight. It's big and feels great when crimping (plently of power).

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=36411

Here's a harborfreight tip. Never pay full price. If you have any of the catalogs or sales circulars, you'll notice that there is a three digit/letter code after the item number. This code tells their system what the discount is on sale items. Leave the letters the same and try different numbers. See what you get. You have to use the internet and the buy from order from catalog section. It's frequently worth the trouble and you get discounts of 50%. Note that you have to remove the item from your cart between checking different prices or it will only list the first price.

[traig]

You need wire ( I used 22 gauge from Radio Shack ) as well as quick-disconnects (QD), female ones for the terminals on the buttons and sticks, as well as male ones if you're doing y-connectors at any point.

My Ultimarc stuff had .25" terminals so I needed the .25" QDs for those. The happ buttons and sticks used .187" QDs. You can go with all .25" QDs and simply pre-crimp them to fit the Happ stuff, but I bought both sizes at Radio Shack. I used red-colored QDs since I used 22 gauge wire. Other colors are for different gauges.

BTW, I tried home depot for this stuff and they really let me down. It was a struggle to find any QDs at all in their mess of a connector section, and even then they only had some male .25" ones. When I asked about 22-gauge wire they laughed and sent me off. I hate having to go there at all.

[HaRuMaN]

I just got my shipment of 200 blue female QD's from Peale in the mail yesterday.    Very prompt, and can't beat the price of $12.00 shipped!

[Stingray]

I'll second buying from Peale. You can't beat his pricing, nor will you find anyone who will get it to you faster.

-S

[Setabs]

You need a Crimper:
http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F011%5F009%5F010%5F002&product%5Fid=64%2D2984

22 Gauge wire:
They don't have it listed on their site but radio shack sells spools of 20 or 22 gauge wire in red and black in about 15-20ft lengths
Female Disconnects:

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F011%5F003%5F004%5F000&product%5Fid=64%2D4039
They are 2 different sizes but both should fit on the controls.
And Some zip ties to help keep it clean:
http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F011%5F010%5F008%5F004&product%5Fid=278%2D1632

remember to daisy chain the ground wires(connect each groundwire to the next ground wire forming a chain that goes from the interface such as an ipac to the very last control).  I forgot to do this when I fist did mine.  I ended up waisting alot of wire and time.  Have Fun!

[Lilwolf]

btw...

.189 disconnects

NOT

.250

for joysticks and buttons...

[Tiger-Heli]

btw...

.189 disconnects

NOT

.250

for joysticks and buttons...

Errm, 0.187 not 0.189  (3/8").

Most of www.ultimarc.com's buttons and joysticks now want 0.250, most others are 0.187

[currygoat11]

<< (3/8")>>

well I measured the Happ controls stuff that I have and it's all 3/16" (1.87).

currygoat