Ribbon cable sources.

[Rickertsen2]

I have looked everywhere, but can't seem to find anybody, who sells 3 conductor ribbon cable, prefferably multicolor, not grey. They lowest most peopel seem to sell is 3. I want to make my own PWM cables this year. I guess I don't have to use ribbon, but it would be nice.

[computhief263]

isnt ribbon cable a little small for pwm cables? wouldnt it be easier to use something like 20-22 guage 3 wire zip cord (i believe that wut is called, im fairly sure its avalible in multi colors)

[Rickertsen2]

Originally Posted by computhief263

isnt ribbon cable a little small for pwm cables? wouldnt it be easier to use something like 20-22 guage 3 wire zip cord (i believe that wut is called, im fairly sure its avalible in multi colors)

You must be thinking about ATA133 cables. Yea, those are small. What i am talkign about is exactly what is used on PWM cables that you can buy and that come in the kit. Plenty of places have it, just not in 3 conductor. The least they stock have is 9 or 10. I might be able to tear it and divide it up, but i would really like to avoid that if at all possible. Btw i'm pretty sure zip cord is lamp cord.

I have tried:
digi-key
Newark
Future
Mouser
Anaheim wire
Allied Wire
All Electronics

every one of these places carries the stuff, but not in 3 conductor

[Kevin A]

Try a local car alarm instalation place...i know that they use it for sensor wiring...it may be 4 conductor tho. You will probably have to drive there and show them what you are talking about.

Good Luck,
Kevin
(ps - what will be gained by making your own pwm cables?)

[Rickertsen2]

Originally Posted by Kevin A

(ps - what will be gained by making your own pwm cables?)

Last year we had cable soup. The PWM cables were either too long or too short. We would like ta alleviate this mess. Not to mention its much cheaper. The connectors with pins are $0.064 and the 9 conductor cable is selling for $0.188 fer foot in 50ft quantities.

!idea. I wonder how well this stuff peels apart. If easily, then a cable with a higher number of pins could be seperated on the ends to attach multiple speed controllers.

I will try the car alarm ppl.

[Dave Flowerday]

Originally Posted by Rickertsen2

!idea. I wonder how well this stuff peels apart. If easily, then a cable with a higher number of pins could be seperated on the ends to attach multiple speed controllers.

Standard ribbon cable pulls apart very easily - we do it all the time. It wouldn't be a problem to take 9 conductor cable and separate it into 3 3-conductor cables.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Adding to Dave's post...
The connectors are available from many sources but working with the pins is difficult if you don't have the tools or experience. (They are really tiny and the real crimp tool is more than $200) I would recommend you stick with premade cables and have spares. It is not difficult to double the extra cable back on itself and put a tywrap on it.

[Rickertsen2]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

Adding to Dave's post...
The connectors are available from many sources but working with the pins is difficult if you don't have the tools or experience. (They are really tiny and the real crimp tool is more than $200) I would recommend you stick with premade cables and have spares. It is not difficult to double the extra cable back on itself and put a tywrap on it.

I have the crimper.

[andy]

james

Talk to me tomorrow at the kickoff
My dad is an Alpa Wire distributer
they sell ribbon cable

-Andy

linkz
http://www.alphawire.com/pages/333.cfm
http://www.alphawire.com/pages/340.cfm
http://www.alphawire.com/pages/339.cfm

[sanddrag]

You can get the PWM cable wire here:
http://www.servocity.com/html/servo_wire.html