Wiring .. what to use..

[John]

I started to wire my controls together with a wiring block and then to the IPAC.  I believe is is the 18 gauge wire with the female connectors crimped on.  It's all working right now but it still looks a bit messy and I was wondering if anyone have any other ideas of making it pretty.

I was thinking of using CAT5, and theoritically I'd only need 8 or 9 lines (since each one has 8 wires) and use RJ-45 male and female connectors to hook up to IPAC.  So arcade switches --> RJ45 Male --> RJ45 Female --> IPAC.

My main question is would the cable be enough to carry the voltage required and if this actually makes sense.  The RJ45 would be solid so I'd have to crimp on the .128 female connectors that I have or solder it on if it's going to be loose.

thanks

[hyiu]

I use cat5 cables and cat5 connectors for my joystick....

it is because I originally planned to use modular pieces... (cos I'm not using ipac... instead I hacked sidewinders and also psx pads....)

you can check out my pics....

http://www.geocities.com/hyiu/pics/

I think digi cam.... and then some of those pics are my current joysticks... etc....

good luck.....
   

[kgriffin]

The cable should carry the voltage fine. I have read several posts where other people have used CAT5 to wire their control panel.

Personally, I prefer stranded wire as it tolerates bending a lot better. I have a metal CP that swings open. My IPAC is mounted to that (along with all the buttons and joys) so there was no need for me to use a barrier strip. When I open my CP, no wires move (it all moves as one unit) so I went straight from the buttons and joys to the IPAC w/ stranded wire and made it pretty with zip ties.

[SNAAAKE]

I use cat5 cables and cat5 connectors for my joystick....

it is because I originally planned to use modular pieces... (cos I'm not using ipac... instead I hacked sidewinders and also psx pads....)

you can check out my pics....

http://www.geocities.com/hyiu/pics/

I think digi cam.... and then some of those pics are my current joysticks... etc....

good luck.....
   

cant see anything

you should upload pics elsewere.

www.fortunecity.com
www.tripod.com
www.imagestation.com

they are all free...

i love fortunecity
you can make very cool looky site and its free too.unlimited bandwidth i believe.

and for wires,

speaker wires from $0.99 store works great.dont buy the hard copper wire that you can bend.those are hart to work with..

i just hate that type wire.

[SirPoonga]

speaker wires from $0.99 store works great.dont buy the hard copper wire that you can bend.those are hart to work with..

Actually, on the contrary, very easy to work with.  My cabinet is done in solid wire.   There isn't much stranded in it.

Solid copper is great for soldering.

Now, if you think the wires are going to move alot, you don't want solid then, you want stranded so you have flex.  But in many cabinet the wires in the cp aren't going to be moving much:)

[Brax]

It is possible that you could run into problems with solid core wire though. Most everyone recommends stranded wire for this application.(less resistance) Andy Warne from I-PAC included.....