DIY DC power cables

[Michael-Elijah Audio]

I have used a couple of these - I think the quality may be as close as you can get to the Oyaide plugs

Accepts 6.3mm cable - Or if you are very keen you could cut or grind that narrow tail section - to allow probably 8mm or larger cable

http://www.audiophonics.fr/en/connecteurs-jack/elecaudio-dc-21g-gold-plated-connector-jack-dc-5521mm-p-9822.html

Michael

[Michael-Elijah Audio]

22 hours ago, Forehaven said:

 

I'd love to use the best DC 2.1mmX5.5mm connector - solder (that I can easily use with the 4SG) available.  So can you guys please point me to a couple of connector options?

 

 

http://www.audiophonics.fr/en/connecteurs-jack/elecaudio-dc-21g-gold-plated-connector-jack-dc-5521mm-p-9822.html

[Michael-Elijah Audio]

Hi austinpop

- strip 1/4-3/8 in ( 8-10mm)

- make sure screws are backed right off - loose

-bend wires so you can insert both at the same time - should fit in right up to insulation

- hold wires in place and tighten both - some wire will be forced out during tightening

- you could use heatshrink on one pair - or a thin strip of paper or similar

-secure with 3/4in ( 19mm) Heatshrink 3:1 - if using 2:1 you will need to build up diameter of cable for a secure bond

[Michael-Elijah Audio]

It seems a lot of people mention having bad soldering skills etc

I think the no1 cardinal sin is not being in the habit of constantly applying solder to the tip

I make it a rule to never leave the solder iron tip in free air without solder on it for 5 seconds maximum

A constantly  dry solder tip will oxidise and then not transfer heat properly - giving you the idea that you don't know how to solder

- take the iron out of the holder, wipe on damp sponge to clean - apply a bit of solder to tip

- solder joint - max 3 seconds - wipe on sponge- apply solder to tip before returning iron to holder

repeat.........

For those deciding to "try soldering again" - please buy a new tip or complete iron if not replaceable to give yourself the best chance of success

And repeat the mantra.... " no more than 5 seconds without applying solder to the tip"

Good luck

[Michael-Elijah Audio]

2 hours ago, tboooe said:

Just ordered some GX16-2 connectors to make some star quad cables from my HD Plex linear power supply to my NAA PC and wireless bridge.  I am going star quad crazy!

 

Hi  tboooe,

I don't know what diameter wire you will be using with the GX16 plugs - but just thought you'd like to know you may be in for a bit of filing

The 4wire speaker cable I used is OD 7.5mm and I had to use a small round file to remove the little flat bridges at the rear of the GX plugs - otherwise the cable was too large to fit

Michael

[Michael-Elijah Audio]

44 minutes ago, pl_svn said:

... are you going to offer DC cables too, Michael?

Not planning to,  - just offering what little advice I can.........

 

[Michael-Elijah Audio]

austin - yes, that tape will be fine - heatshrink is probably the easiest and least problematic - I just like to give alternatives to let you know it's alright to think outside the box - except when it comes to out and out Safety issues.

[Michael-Elijah Audio]

Standard vs. modified Elac plugs - opening now 8.5mm - big enough for almost any cable...:)

Cut with hacksaw, then careful filing with flat bastard and finished with wet & dry paper

[Michael-Elijah Audio]

I found the best way is not to clamp the shell and hold the file - but rather - lay the file on the bench and holding the shell - just rub back and forth without rocking to keep a nice flat face

[Michael-Elijah Audio]

The cable I'm using is - Response WB-1762 (OD 8mm)

https://www.jaycar.com.au/medias/sys_master/images/8954952024094/WB1762-dataSheetMain.pdf

[Michael-Elijah Audio]

8 hours ago, R1200CL said:

 

 

What I don't know yet, is if used on ISO regen, such huge plugs as Elec, may become in conflict with the uspcb. 

Maybe perfect for use with an Y-split. (In the LPS-1 connection). 

 

 

Don't think that will be a problem - modified Elec and screw type plug

 

[Michael-Elijah Audio]

6 hours ago, R1200CL said:

 

I think you misunderstood. 

 

If you use the new UpTone USPCB between MicroRendu and ISO regen, then you may have a challange. 

 

@Superdad have not put any measurements on his website yet

IF you look at the photo's of the USPCB in the press release you can see that even with the Heatshrink it will be just a bit wider than the width of an "A" metal shell

I sure it's finished size is not going to present any problems

[Michael-Elijah Audio]

3 hours ago, Daudio said:

Michael,

I think the confusion here is that the concern is about the USPCB's length, not its width. Will there be enough room for the power connector and cable to bend out without interferring with the case of whatever is plugged into the other end of the very short USPCB ?

 

OK - got it - but only if using it between PC/Streamer and ISO Regen, which is not it's intended purpose

[Michael-Elijah Audio]

Have just ordered 2 of these - will need to be modified to accept larger dia. cable - but I can see the spacing between Hot pin and Gnd pin may ease build

 

 

[Michael-Elijah Audio]

World's first gold plated, right angled, Swenson sheilded, 18 AWG, star quad DC cable.....

[Michael-Elijah Audio]

17 minutes ago, Daudio said:

 

Ok, great job, but spill the beans on where/how you came up with the right angle connecter ! Home made perhaps ?  And why tease us with that crummy old Amazon thing

It's a recycled Elec plug( without casing) -just bent the Gnd tab/strain relief 90 degrees

Had to use 19mm Heatshrink ( 3:1) to fit over the right angle

And yes, as per John's instructions the black wire is the loop completer Gnd wire

[Michael-Elijah Audio]

As per John's instructions - that black Gnd wire is attached to either end of the external woven copper shield, to complete the loop.

I just left the clear Heatshrink about 3/4 of an inch short on each end to attach the black wire, then covered the join with black heatshrink

[Michael-Elijah Audio]

Just trying to follow John's instructions as closely as possible - He did say to not wrap it tightly around the cable - so to me that means let it hang loose

Haven't tested it yet as I have to make up a GX16 to female 2.1mm socket - but as someone else mentioned earlier  - probably not really noticeable on a 30cm cable

I did actually make the cable just so I could use that opening line...............

As we say here in Australia - " It's got everything but the kitchen sink"

[Michael-Elijah Audio]

1 hour ago, tboooe said:

@Michael-Elijah Audio, what star quad cable did you use that has the shielding?  

 

I didn't - I used the Response 4 wire speaker cable with an external expandable shield from here:

http://www.vt4c.com/shop/program/main.php?cat_id=22&group_id=3

AlthoughI think R1200CL's idea of using Canare shielded star quad is a better choice for the Ghent cables and DIY

Also - not sure why some are concerned about hiding the loop wire  - from my understanding of JS's recipe - it's best not to have the loop wire touching the shield more than the connection points - surely by have it concealed in an outer sleeve, it will be much closer than is ideal

 

Michael

[Michael-Elijah Audio]

14 hours ago, Jud said:

 

Only reason I'm not is because I need a right angle bend at the Regen end.  Have a few screw terminal plugs of the right size sitting around, so just need to order the cable and some heat shrink tubing.  (Hope that tubing can do a decent right angle.)

Hi Jud - you'll need 19mm(3/4") min. Heatshrink to fit over the screw type 2.1mm plug - 3:1 shrink ratio would be best

I think you could heat it up to shrink while its straight then put the 90 deg. bend in it while the Heatshrink is still hot

Michael

 

[Michael-Elijah Audio]

@Michael-Elijah Audio Can you please test with your Elec connector ?

I don't have the Canary- wire - the Response Speaker cable I used is larger all round 8.5mm OD with 4 x 18AWG - Saying that, I don't think 8 wires ( even the slightly thinner 21AWG 4S6) will fit - definitely not with the shell - but also the soldering would be an issue - 4 wires onto the centre pin.......

I think tbooe is on the right track

Something like this would be an "elegant" solution

 

 

[Michael-Elijah Audio]

Got it - I think -  easy as pie DIY Y cable

Order 3 cables from Ghent unterminated at one end - at your required lengths

For eg - 1 x 30cm , 2 x 15cm

Get a pack of these  Wago connectors - About $10 for 10 

                                                                                             

 

The 6 positive wires  go in one connector - 6 negative wires  go in another

Here's a vid about them

 

[Michael-Elijah Audio]

This new one is even smaller and accepts from 14 AWG to 28 AWG - 2 x 21 AWG 4S6 is approx 18 AWG - so the double wires will fit no problem

[Michael-Elijah Audio]

The finished cable may not be as pretty as my Graphic - but it's a recipe that anyone can do

[Michael-Elijah Audio]

That 2273 is for Solidcore wires only - no good for stranded 4S6

It's Ok for us who can solder - but this allows anyone with a sharp knife to build their own Y cable