Some beginners advice on wiring needed

[getoffmyland]

Hi everyone,

I am trying to link 4 arcade buttons with cherry microswitches to an IPAC2 bought from Ultimarc.

What type of wire is best recommended for this? And would i be able to get it from a DIY/Electricians shop?

Thanks.
Matt. 

[Teknique]

18 or 20 guage stranded work just fine.  You could even get away with a CAT5 cable if you wanted to help keep the wires neat.   

Radio Shack has this stuff or yes, any electronics shop will have it.

Tek

[dpz147]

I'm fairly new at this but I used 20 gauge solid core i picked up at Radio Shack and it worked great for me.  From what I've read, the solid core is better for bending purposes.  Outside of that, I'm not sure if there are any pros/cons for solid vs. stranded.

[hnugz]

from what i understand solid will tend to break easier due to bending.  stranded seems to be easier to work with.

[lordtodd75]

Solid core will break easier then stranded, so If you are going to be moving the wiring around, use stranded. I would use a cat5 cable with some quick connects. Nice and neat.

[getoffmyland]

Excellent, thanks for all your quick responses.

Also, this will make you laugh but i need to make sure.. how do i connect the wires to the buttons?

I already know about 'normally open' and 'closed' bits.. Do i solder the wires on or can i just wrap the ends around the metal bits on the button?

Thanks,
Matt

[AtomSmasher]

Also, this will make you laugh but i need to make sure.. how do i connect the wires to the buttons?

I already know about 'normally open' and 'closed' bits.. Do i solder the wires on or can i just wrap the ends around the metal bits on the button?

Use crimp on connectors like these:  http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103313&cp=&origkw=Female+Crimp-On&kw=female+crimp-on&parentPage=search
you can find them in any hardware store.

[deadkenndys1105]

I warn you now dont let your brother solder anything for you, Because of him I have balls of solder the size of a basketball.

[AtomSmasher]

I'd recommend reading issue #4 of retro revival because they have an artical on installing an IPac.  You can download the issue here: http://www.retrorevival.co.uk/site/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=17&Itemid=26

[Buddabing]

18 gauge wire is pretty thick for this purpose. Use "hookup" wire, which IIRC is 22 gauge. Or stranded cat 5 cable.

To connect buttons to wire, use quick disconnects from Peale.

[clhug]

Also, this will make you laugh but i need to make sure.. how do i connect the wires to the buttons?

I already know about 'normally open' and 'closed' bits.. Do i solder the wires on or can i just wrap the ends around the metal bits on the button?

Use crimp on connectors like these:  http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103313&cp=&origkw=Female+Crimp-On&kw=female+crimp-on&parentPage=search
you can find them in any hardware store.

I've been looking for these myself.  Looks like all my connections use 3/16" but all I can find at any of the hardware stores are 1/4".  The link posted for Radio Shack contains 3/16" but it's a mix of 3/16" and 1/4" so it's kind of a waste of money.  So far I've been unable to find anybody (at least a local store) that sells packages of only 3/16".

[AtomSmasher]

I've been looking for these myself.  Looks like all my connections use 3/16" but all I can find at any of the hardware stores are 1/4".  The link posted for Radio Shack contains 3/16" but it's a mix of 3/16" and 1/4" so it's kind of a waste of money.  So far I've been unable to find anybody (at least a local store) that sells packages of only 3/16".

I used 1/4'' for all of mine and they worked fine.  Actually I got them from Ultimarc, I ordered their "wiring kit" for the IPac and it came with 1/4'' connects.

[getoffmyland]

Thanks for the advice,

I was looking at the wiring kit from Ultimarc but i need it for such a short time

[yhw4life]

I just recently got into this hobby, and hopefully will be building my own soon.  The main part I was confused on, was the wiring of the controls.  That retro revival article REALLY helped.  Thanks a lot.

[clhug]

I've been looking for these myself.  Looks like all my connections use 3/16" but all I can find at any of the hardware stores are 1/4".  The link posted for Radio Shack contains 3/16" but it's a mix of 3/16" and 1/4" so it's kind of a waste of money.  So far I've been unable to find anybody (at least a local store) that sells packages of only 3/16".

I used 1/4'' for all of mine and they worked fine.  Actually I got them from Ultimarc, I ordered their "wiring kit" for the IPac and it came with 1/4'' connects.

Okay, that was a big "DUH" moment for me.  I never even thought about the fact that you could use the larger female connectors on the smaller male spade.  I went ahead and got some 1/4" females.  The only thing I see there is that they were very loose so I used a pair of pliers to squeeze down the curled over edges a bit to make it so they wouldn't pull off quite so easily.  Don't squeeze the too much though or you won't be able to slide them on either.

[iamnaeth]

Just and FYI, you can get the connectors at most hardware store too.  I picked up my connectors at True Value.  They had more selection than my local radio shack    pathetic.

[clhug]

Just and FYI, you can get the connectors at most hardware store too.  I picked up my connectors at True Value.  They had more selection than my local radio shack    pathetic.

Yes, probably cheaper too.  I got mine at Lowe's.  Home Depot and Menard's also carry them.  You can buy big bulk packs at these places for good prices.  Don't remember exact price off the top of my head though.

[danny_galaga]

automotive stores should have these too...

[MYX]

Frys Is one of the best places for most of this stuff if you have one near by. They also sell just about every color imaginable of heatshrink tubing in a brazillion sizes.