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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Zrooney on February 07, 2012, 05:18:06 pm

Title: Wire for iPac help
Post by: Zrooney on February 07, 2012, 05:18:06 pm
  Does anyone know what kind of wire to use with the iPac, braided or solid.  Or does the type of wire not matter? 
Title: Re: Wire for iPac help
Post by: Nephasth on February 07, 2012, 05:55:08 pm
Fiber-optic.






















Seriously though, it doesn't really matter.
Title: Re: Wire for iPac help
Post by: Dawgz Rule on February 07, 2012, 06:45:05 pm
Doesn't matter.  I prefer solid over stranded because I find it easier to work with.
Title: Re: Wire for iPac help
Post by: darthpaul on February 07, 2012, 06:51:31 pm
Same here.
Title: Re: Wire for iPac help
Post by: Zrooney on February 08, 2012, 03:11:33 pm
Ok, will be sure to pick up some fiber-optic. :D
Title: Re: Wire for iPac help
Post by: Havok on February 08, 2012, 11:28:32 pm
Damn - for a second there I thought this thread was wife for iPac help.

Oh well. Solid is better for routing and makes for a neater installation. However, if there will be movement (like a panel flipping up) then stranded is a better choice, at least for the part that needs to move.

But if you go fiber optic, that gives you l33t skilz...

 ;D
Title: Re: Wire for iPac help
Post by: mgb on February 09, 2012, 08:03:19 am
Personally I wouldn't use solid.
Crimp connectors are for use with stranded wire and I feel stranded, if done right makes for a neater install.   20 or 22 gauge stranded is your best bet.
I've said it before (on other threads) and I'll say it again, if you want a simple and inexpensive way to get your controls cabling done, go to Jammaboards.com and buy the economy jamma harness. Its $10, it has all of the quick connects done for the switch ends and the common loops are already made up.
You just have to cut off the jamma connector end and then you can use the wires as needed.
For some frankenpanels, you may need two harnesses.
Title: Re: Wire for iPac help
Post by: Nephasth on February 09, 2012, 08:35:47 am
Personally I wouldn't use solid.
Crimp connectors are for use with stranded wire and I feel stranded, if done right makes for a neater install.   20 or 22 gauge stranded is your best bet.

+1 :applaud:
Title: Re: Wire for iPac help
Post by: HaRuMaN on February 09, 2012, 03:30:45 pm
Personally I wouldn't use solid.
Crimp connectors are for use with stranded wire and I feel stranded, if done right makes for a neater install.   20 or 22 gauge stranded is your best bet.

+1 :applaud:

+2
Title: Re: Wire for iPac help
Post by: Zrooney on February 09, 2012, 04:51:23 pm
Yeah 20 gauge would be the best, i got 16 it is WAYY to thick.
Title: Re: Wire for iPac help
Post by: Dervacumen on February 09, 2012, 05:58:17 pm
FWIW, I've used both.  I like stranded for everything but the CP.  For that I like solid because you can make the wiring look all neat.  If that's important to you.
Title: Re: Wire for iPac help
Post by: MonMotha on February 09, 2012, 11:52:03 pm
Standard arcade wiring from most major manufacturers is AWG22 stranded.  It's a handy size and fits onto standard red crimp connectors very reliably.  It will also stand up to repeated vibration and flexing found in arcade games better than solid will.  It's generally bundled into harnesses using zip ties.  The harnesses can be bound to surface backs (bottom of control panel, side of cabinet, etc.) using either screw down zip-ties (this is a zip tie with a screw eyelet on one end), stick-on strap-ties, etc.

For power to JAMMA boards, AC, etc. usually AWG18 stranded is used.  Grounds for signals (e.g. buttons, joysticks, etc.) are still usually AWG22 as it carries essentially no current.

Any smaller than AWG22 won't hold in crimp connectors reliably and may not even hold into the terminal block on the IPAC correctly.  Solid also doesn't crimp right and is susceptible to breaking, especially right where connections are made as that's a stress point.