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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: pmc on September 14, 2012, 07:59:29 pm

Title: Source for good DB-25 cables?
Post by: pmc on September 14, 2012, 07:59:29 pm
I'm finally getting around to rewiring my swappable panels. I used 50-pin internal SCSI ribbon cables originally and they worked great, but they aren't built for a lot of manipulation and it's time to change to something more bullet-proof (and child friendly). Plan B was always 25-pin straight through printer cables.

I'm having a hard time finding good but inexpensive fat DB-25 cables. They all seem to be the thin (like 1/4") cables with molded ends now-a-days. But for wiring the loose-ends, lower-gauge wires is obviously better. I'll need at least 3 of them, and a lot of 5 would be a good idea. And cheap of course. Man, I've thrown a lot of these in the trash over the years...

Can anyone recommend a source?
Title: Re: Source for good DB-25 cables?
Post by: PL1 on September 14, 2012, 08:13:55 pm
Maybe these (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000JDF7)?


Scott

EDIT: Forgot to include that you'll need a female DB25 (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102865) connector or a cable with one built in.  Good catch, Slippy.
Title: Re: Source for good DB-25 cables?
Post by: Slippyblade on September 14, 2012, 08:22:07 pm
I'm assuming you want DB-25 on both ends?  Those linked above are Centronics printer cables.  DB-25 on one and and specialized printer port on the other...
Title: Re: Source for good DB-25 cables?
Post by: pmc on September 14, 2012, 08:28:14 pm
Maybe these (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000JDF7)?

Yeah, like Slippy said, that's got a Centronics-36 connector on one end. I need a DB-25 on each end so I can cut them in half and plug one end into the other end.

Your link led me to these (http://www.amazon.com/C2G-Cables-02665-Cable-Meters/dp/B000051189/ref=pd_cp_pc_3). But still, I'd really like to get a 3/4" color-coded cable like in the old days. It'd make soldering much easier. Like these ones on eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-of-3-Heavy-Duty-DB-25-Serial-Cables-RS-232-/220657184917?pt=US_Parallel_Serial_PS_2_Cables_Adapters&hash=item3360317095). But those don't have all the pins in them -- I need all 25 pins.
Title: Re: Source for good DB-25 cables?
Post by: PL1 on September 14, 2012, 08:42:38 pm
Try #2.  2 foot or 6 foot cables fully wired.

http://www.surplussales.com/ComputerAccess/DBConn-3.html (http://www.surplussales.com/ComputerAccess/DBConn-3.html)


Scott
Title: Re: Source for good DB-25 cables?
Post by: Slippyblade on September 14, 2012, 08:52:39 pm
Ooo.  I'm bookmarking that site.  Nice looking cables at good prices!
Title: Re: Source for good DB-25 cables?
Post by: CoryBee on September 15, 2012, 06:25:49 am
Ooo.  I'm bookmarking that site.  Nice looking cables at good prices!
I was browsing their site a bit, good stuff here.

Uhm, they also seem to carry a lens for the hubble space telescope......  :dunno

(http://www.surplussales.com/Images/Miscellaneous/Lens/mis-8427_lg.jpg)

Only, $500 a piece
Title: Re: Source for good DB-25 cables?
Post by: pmc on September 15, 2012, 08:41:16 am
Try #2.  2 foot or 6 foot cables fully wired.

http://www.surplussales.com/ComputerAccess/DBConn-3.html (http://www.surplussales.com/ComputerAccess/DBConn-3.html)

Those look perfect. $13.50 for two of each. It won't calculate shipping until I complete the order, but they ship USPS. Probably as cheap as an eBay purchase anyway.

Great site. If I was restoring a vintage aircraft, I'd probably shop here a lot!

Thanks man. I appreciate the lead...
Title: Re: Source for good DB-25 cables?
Post by: pmc on September 15, 2012, 08:43:24 am
Uhm, they also seem to carry a lens for the hubble space telescope......  :dunno

That's my favorite kind of cheese!  :applaud:
Title: Re: Source for good DB-25 cables?
Post by: bullrees on September 15, 2012, 01:57:36 pm
Monoprice has excellent cables. I purchased many different types from them and they were all high quality.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/search.asp?keyword=db+25 (http://www.monoprice.com/products/search.asp?keyword=db+25)
 
Title: Re: Source for good DB-25 cables?
Post by: pmc on September 15, 2012, 02:31:27 pm
Monoprice has excellent cables. I purchased many different types from them and they were all high quality.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/search.asp?keyword=db+25 (http://www.monoprice.com/products/search.asp?keyword=db+25)

I use them a lot for audio and video stuff. I thought I looked there before posting here. Anyway, this one looks like it fits the bill (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10210&cs_id=1021001&p_id=384&seq=1&format=2). It's $5.35 plus shipping.
Title: Re: Source for good DB-25 cables?
Post by: Lilwolf on September 16, 2012, 06:35:51 am
when I bought mine, best prices were on ebay ("25 pin m-m cable serial" or "25 pin m-f cable serial").  I found someone selling them for a few bucks.  I bought 3 or 4 m-f and 3-4 m-m and have the f side on the arcade machine, and m on the control panels.  I was going to do the same for some vga cables for joystick controls, but I haven't got around to it (and I found I had to recalibrate between each swap, which made making it easy less important.
Title: Re: Source for good DB-25 cables?
Post by: sharpfork on September 16, 2012, 10:49:12 am
color-coded cable like in the old days. It'd make soldering much easier.
I've been picking up belkin db25 cables like PL1 posted and the wires are color coded and map to the same pins on every cable.  Here is one I was testing:
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vUSUDt-k7-8/UDhTc2BkITI/AAAAAAAAHYY/1d6c9gmW5po/s795/IMG_20120824_222225.jpg)