15 replies to this topic

[astronutski]

I need to make a new custom cable for my Seawolf upgrade. I'd like to patch in with no mod to the existing system, so I basically need the Orange, Red, Brown, White wire.

I'll handle the soldering making the plugs and whatnot, not a problem, I'm just looking for a source for the 4-wire servo wire, all I can locate is the 3 wire.

See pic below of the cable I'm talking about.
TIA

 video cable.jpg   29.44K   33 downloads

[JakeOz]

Hi astronutski,

You could always just buy a section of ribbon cable and then peel off a group of 4 wires from it. I've done that to make some custom cables before, works pretty well. Just an option to think about...

Here's a picture for reference where they are peeling off two wires....the 'rainbow' color scheme is pretty common and kinda cool I think!

[comster]

I got some from Hansen Hobbies at a trade show, but I don't see it on their web site. The strands are very thin but not as soft and flexible as most other servo wire, so I dunno.

[Enthlapy]

Like this ?

http://search.digike...28399-ND/298639

http://hansenhobbies...tors/pt1in_1x4/

[comster]

I thought Astro wanted the wire, not the connector. Here is mine.

 four-strand-wire.png   345.12K   10 downloads

Turns out, I'm rebuilding stuff too. I'm leaning towards normal 3-strand servo wire plus an extra signal strand saved from turning servo into red+black. Some yellow heat shrink in a few places will make the wires clear.

[Enthlapy]

I thought Astro wanted the wire, not the connector. Here is mine.

 four-strand-wire.png   345.12K   10 downloads

Turns out, I'm rebuilding stuff too. I'm leaning towards normal 3-strand servo wire plus an extra signal strand saved from turning servo into red+black. Some yellow heat shrink in a few places will make the wires clear.

I make my own connectors and use whatever servo wire i have

http://www.radioshac...oductId=2103683


http://www.hobbyking...mtr_R_B_Y_.html

http://www.hobbyking...mtr_R_O_B_.html

http://www.hobbyking...pairs_set_.html

then just braid away

[astronutski]

Thanks a million guys. Yes, I am only looking for the 4-wire, or 6 and I can peel off easily enough. Thanks for all the feedback, but comster has exactly what I'm looking for, where did you get that comster? I also like Jake's too, where did you get that? The ribbon cable I know is turd gray like it's been for the past millennium.

Also, I do have the pins and "socket" things to make up my own connectors, but is there a special tool for crimping? I was thinking either pliers or sometimes wire strippers have what to me looks like will crimp small wires, exactly what we're doing here.

Also, what gauge is good for the video feed, this is for wiring up my new Pixim Seawolf :-)
I usually overkill everything, but now I'm starting to think.... light..... make it light........ So, what can I get away with without burning up my new frame :-)

Thanks!!!!

[astronutski]

And I just found this awesome page showing the pin crimping/connector process. Very helpful, And I think I will grab one of those crimpers at RS, thanks Enthlapy!

I guess the link would be helpful...
http://www.rchelisit...servo_plugs.php

Edited by astronutski, 27 April 2012 - 01:46 PM.

[JakeOz]

Thanks a million guys. Yes, I am only looking for the 4-wire, or 6 and I can peel off easily enough. Thanks for all the feedback, but comster has exactly what I'm looking for, where did you get that comster? I also like Jake's too, where did you get that? The ribbon cable I know is turd gray like it's been for the past millennium.

Also, I do have the pins and "socket" things to make up my own connectors, but is there a special tool for crimping? I was thinking either pliers or sometimes wire strippers have what to me looks like will crimp small wires, exactly what we're doing here.

Also, what gauge is good for the video feed, this is for wiring up my new Pixim Seawolf :-)
I usually overkill everything, but now I'm starting to think.... light..... make it light........ So, what can I get away with without burning up my new frame :-)

Thanks!!!!

I got mine from Sparkfun I think.

http://www.sparkfun.com/products/10647 (10 wires, 15 feet long, $4.95)

However, I know a lot of other places carry it too. Just google 'rainbow ribbon cable' and you can probably find it in different gauges and lengths.

The only thing is it isn't quite as nice as normal silicon servo cables. Slightly less flexible, but it still does the job...

[astronutski]

I got mine from Sparkfun I think.
http://www.sparkfun.com/products/10647 (10 wires, 15 feet long, $4.95)
However, I know a lot of other places carry it too. Just google 'rainbow ribbon cable' and you can probably find it in different gauges and lengths.
The only thing is it isn't quite as nice as normal silicon servo cables. Slightly less flexible, but it still does the job...

Got it, thanks a million Jake!!! That is awesome wire, I'll order a batch of it so I have plenty on hand. You never know when you're going to have a new build emergency, hehe. Like the kind that wakes you up in the middle of the night and pulls you to the PC to start ordering motors, props, and frame material.

[TheOtherCliff]

Just a thought...

The balance connectors (JST-XH) on LiPos have the same pin spacing and size as servo connectors and you can get them in all different numbers of pins.

I have a servo extension that I cut off and took the cover off the side to expose the pins. I use it whenever I need to fiddle with individual cells on a LiPo as it plugs right in the balance connector.

[kevo]

http://www.pololu.com/

If you cant find it there ... you dont need it. I would avoid crimping them yourself. Any of the cheap crimpers I have ever used would 'almost work' and the crimper that actually does work is not cheap ( $150 usd range )

I have a pretty good stock of connectors and 6 inch pre crimped wires .. What exactly do you need .. If its just a small batch I may be able to make up the wire and connectors for you.

[astronutski]

http://www.pololu.com/
If you cant find it there ... you dont need it. I would avoid crimping them yourself. Any of the cheap crimpers I have ever used would 'almost work' and the crimper that actually does work is not cheap ( $150 usd range )
I have a pretty good stock of connectors and 6 inch pre crimped wires .. What exactly do you need .. If its just a small batch I may be able to make up the wire and connectors for you.

HA! Yes, Kevin suggested those guys too.
Hmmm, you don't recommend crimping? I was gonna give it a go and probably dab some solder on there quickly for extra security with all the vibrations I'm having.

Well, I must apologize to everyone as this is now a moot point. I have the new (to me new) Pixim Seawolf 690TVL camera just sitting in it's box waiting for me to install it. So, I need to replace the rmrc 480 cam with this one. No problem. I don't want to cut the custom (awesome) cables that came with that camera/vtx kit as Tim does such awesome work. So, I'm creating this extra work for myself, as usual, hehe. So, I was looking for that four wire stuff he used, it's Orange, Red, Brown, White. Can't find it anywhere. That's what this post was all about. He has the white wire peeled off and going into it's own connector for audio (see original pic above), using two 3-pin connectors.

As it turns out, I just remembered that the Seawolf doesn't do audio, so it's all a rather moot point, I only need the three wire cable and because that's easy to find, and in fact I have the "Futaba colors" 3-wire cable, Red, Black and White, which I'll use until the "JR colors" 3-wire cable arrives (which I have yet to order) and that will go on the new frame I'm building to keep consistent wire color matching the vtx custom cable. So I did learn a lot in this process :-)

So, now that I've lost everyone, sorry, I'm good, but you know what, it wasn't a complete waste, as you guys have shown me many options for this, and I discovered new vendors I was unaware of. Thank you very much.

And thank you for the wonderful offer, although I am new to all of this, I do want to learn it myself :-) so I don't have to bother anyone else, and also can give back when I gain enough experience, so, a polite "thank you, but no thank you"

[Brian]

If you cant find it there ... you dont need it. I would avoid crimping them yourself. Any of the cheap crimpers I have ever used would 'almost work' and the crimper that actually does work is not cheap ( $150 usd range )

I highly recommend these crimpers: http://www.sparkfun.com/products/10219. They're not TOO expensive, and I've been using them quite a bit lately, and they work great!

[astronutski]

Well I think I'll learn the hard way, and swing by RS tonight and grab their $9 pair. I'm going to try to scrounge up some wire and mount the Seawolf tonight . After testing it briefly last night on my TV I fell in love with the quality Gotta mount her, er, I mean "it".

[comster]

Never tried it, but I like the look of the 4-conductor wire on this GPS cable.

http://www.nghobbies...products_id=277