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CP Wire Options
cyapps:
Okay, I am probably going to check out some parallel printer cable I got, as I believe that carries 25 wires which would do nicely for both players (7 button layouts with joysticks and start buttons plus ground), if none of them look suitable then I am just going to go for a roll of 20awg stranded from "the shack".
Franco, at this point I would just be happy to get my boat in the water without sinking, but then again I guess that would be my boat floating :).
DillonFoulds:
Throwing in my $0.02...
I used cat5e on my first C/P and i will for sure 100% NOT use it on my next one.
By function, they are called twisted pairs because inside is 4 pairs of wires, twisted up. These wires will stay that way too! It's going to look a LOT uglier underneath with twisted pair than with wire straight off a roll, or with untwisted wire (Franco's).
The disconnects (if you decide to go function-over-cost) wont crimp to cat5e properly. The wire is just a bit slimmer than you'll be able to crimp easily. You can try remedying this by doubling the wire over on itself, but you'll find it still will be loose. I managed to get mine crimped but even the slightest bump when you're building/tweaking/etc. will pull out wires.
Basically, Cat5e is great if you have several lengths of it handy that you can sacrifice (I'm in IT, i had TONS of cat5e available to me). But in the end, you're going to have less headaches, and things will be more solid if you use a thicker gauge wire (see: wire that matches your crimps).
On the other hand, if you're soldering your wires directly to your buttons (please don't! save yourself the re-work trouble now!), things might be easier for you.
Points of interest:
-versus-
Also, that's DB25 extension cable coming off my terminal strips. Inside was wire that was even thinner than cat5e, don't think you'll like crimping that either...
cyapps:
--- Quote from: DillonFoulds on October 19, 2009, 10:33:01 am ---The disconnects (if you decide to go function-over-cost) wont crimp to cat5e properly. The wire is just a bit slimmer than you'll be able to crimp easily. You can try remedying this by doubling the wire over on itself, but you'll find it still will be loose. I managed to get mine crimped but even the slightest bump when you're building/tweaking/etc. will pull out wires.
Basically, Cat5e is great if you have several lengths of it handy that you can sacrifice (I'm in IT, i had TONS of cat5e available to me). But in the end, you're going to have less headaches, and things will be more solid if you use a thicker gauge wire (see: wire that matches your crimps).
--- End quote ---
I have already experienced some of this and that is why I stopped before going any further. I have a 1000ft roll of cat 5e so I figured I would give it a try and well BOOOO!
--- Quote from: DillonFoulds on October 19, 2009, 10:33:01 am ---On the other hand, if you're soldering your wires directly to your buttons (please don't! save yourself the re-work trouble now!), things might be easier for you.
--- End quote ---
Definitely agree, for me crimping is the way to go.
--- Quote from: DillonFoulds on October 19, 2009, 10:33:01 am ---Also, that's DB25 extension cable coming off my terminal strips. Inside was wire that was even thinner than cat5e, don't think you'll like crimping that either...
--- End quote ---
I was thinking it might be thinner, saved me a trip to the basement.
Also I like how that first panel is wired what gauge wire is that and what is it commonly called (hookup wire, remote wire or what). I don't mind using one color as I think it would look a little better.
bkenobi:
There is nothing that says you can't use any cable you want. BUT, if the wire is too thick it will be hard to manipulate. Technically, it could be too thin to carry the signal, but I don't think that's really an issue with the low voltage signals carried for buttons. However, extremely thin or pretty much any solid core wire will be more difficult to connect to the buttons since QD's need to crimp on them somehow. If you solder them on, you won't be able to change things later, so I wouldn't do that!
What others have said...use a better wire and you will be happier when you are working on it.
Turnarcades:
Personally I bought a set of coloured reels in the same gauge and used a certain colour for each player when I did my first cabinet, with black used for the daisy-chained ground. Cost just a few quid with tons left for future projects, and it keeps the wires grouped in a way that's easy to follow or program for.