The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls

Main => Monitor/Video Forum => Topic started by: Dan on March 04, 2002, 08:13:47 pm

Title: DB25 cable wires too thin?
Post by: Dan on March 04, 2002, 08:13:47 pm

I got a DB25 male-to-female extension cable and cut it in half.  I started stripping the wires for connecting to the I-PAC and have noticed that the wires are really thin.  Are there different kinds of DB25 cable wires?  They look stranded and definitely don't look copper.  I plan on using the .187" female QD's.  Will I run into a problem with these wires?

Thanks,
Dan

Title: Re: DB25 cable wires too thin?
Post by: Jonathan_the_Red on March 04, 2002, 10:03:46 pm

Yup, you definitely will run into trouble crimping those into quick connects. Don't. Screw them into terminal blocks, and have wider-gauge wire running from the blocks to the quick connects.

Even if you decide to go with a terminal block, depending on the type of terminal block you go with the wires might still be too thin. Solution: strip about four times what you need, then fold the wire back on itself twice. No problemo.

They'll work just fine as conductors for your switches, thin or not.

Title: Re: DB25 cable wires too thin?
Post by: ddebuss on March 05, 2002, 05:00:52 am

I found the same thing.

The wires from a DB15 are thicker.  This gives you 16 contacts.  15 + ground.

The wires from a DB9 serial are a lot thicker.  This gives you 10 contacts - 9 + 1 ground.

I ended up using 2 of these.  1 for each player.  This way I could also create a separate control panel for player 2 if I wanted.  Just use a much longer cable.  They are very cheap so I thought I would splurge the extra $1.59 for the second cable.

Depending on the number of contacts you need, you could use 2 - monitor extension cables ($2.02 each at cyberguys) or 2 serial cables ($1.59 each at cyberguys) .

Title: Re: DB25 cable wires too thin?
Post by: Dan on March 05, 2002, 01:50:37 pm

Thanks for the info.  I was thinking about using Molex connectors and use my own wire.  Is this too much of a headache?  I'm trying to plan ahead and don't think I'll need anymore than 24 connections in a panel (I have an ArcadePC and the panel is only 21.5" x 9.5").  The Molex connectors look pretty sturdy for continuous plugging/unplugging.  Plus, I may even be able to mount them so they'll plug in when the panel is put into place.  Am I dreaming? :)

Dan

Quote

I found the same thing.

The wires from a DB15 are thicker.