Help! Is this safe?

woox · Post by **woox** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 1:58 pm

Hi, I want to take my ps3 power source to share the same input as my monitors, so if i solder on the wires with 10gauge wire to the outlet would that be safe? I made a pic below to show what i am tryin to do:

Zereo_XI · Post by **Zereo_XI** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 3:13 pm

Post by **bicostp** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 3:23 pm

Zereo_XI wrote:I'm not sure but your screen would just fry since wall power is 120V you would need a regulator or power your Console with a smaller charge/Batteries.

I think the idea is to combine both power cords into one case.

But yeah that should be safe. Just use wire nuts (with electrical tape over them) to make the connection.

woox · Post by **woox** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 3:29 pm

Yes I am trying to combine both power cords to one case, is it ok if I solder the connections instead of using wire nuts?

Post by **bicostp** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 4:05 pm

Yes, you can use solder in addition to wire nuts. I wouldn't use solder as a substitute, just to be on the safe side. You can get an assortment pack from the hardware store pretty cheap, and they'll add substantial insulation to the connections without hindering troubleshooting like a mile of tape will.

woox · Post by **woox** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 6:34 pm

Is soldering dangerous? I always thought it was the more secure way to go than anything?

I was planning to solder it and then insulate with electrical tape...bad idea?

Post by **bicostp** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 6:39 pm

No, that's not a bad idea. (And soldering isn't dangerous either, as long as you remember what end of the iron to hold.) However, extra insulation on connections carrying 110 volts can't hurt, either.

Gordon1 · Post by **Gordon1** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 7:26 pm

A single layer of electrical tape is enough (but not recommended). Just use heat shrink, it is the best!

Edit: do you Americans really have 110 volt power? Because last time I checked it was 120.

vskid · Post by **vskid** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:04 pm

Gordon1 wrote:Edit: do you Americans really have 110 volt power? Because last time I checked it was 120.

It is somewhere in the 110-120v range.

Mister X · Post by **Mister X** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:27 pm

CAPTAIN OBVIOUS TO THE RESCUE!

Instead of risking an electrical fire that could kill you and your entire family, just use a power strip, or better yet, a surge protector strip, since you'll be connecting expensive electronics to it.

Cripes, you guys CANNOT be talking about soldering wire together for a parallel house voltage connection. It's doable, but a power strip is like $3.

woox · Post by **woox** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 11:28 pm

Mister X wrote:CAPTAIN OBVIOUS TO THE RESCUE!

Instead of risking an electrical fire that could kill you and your entire family, just use a power strip, or better yet, a surge protector strip, since you'll be connecting expensive electronics to it.

Cripes, you guys CANNOT be talking about soldering wire together for a parallel house voltage connection. It's doable, but a power strip is like $3.

Defeats the purpose of something portable when you have 2 wires ports coming out if it.

Anyways it seems ben uses electrical tape too, does anyone know what this yellow thing is he uses in this pic:
http://i31.tinypic.com/soslr4.jpg

And which is better, heat shrink tubes or wirenuts? Should I solder the connection and wrap in heat tubes or just use wirenuts?

And what gauge of wire should I use?

Ben Cebhrem · Post by **Ben Cebhrem** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 9:33 am

I'm guessing the yellow things are splice connectors. They work pretty well for connecting two wires if there's going to be little to no movement or stress amongst them.

vskid · Post by **vskid** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 9:36 am

woox wrote:Anyways it seems ben uses electrical tape too, does anyone know what this yellow thing is he uses in this pic:
http://i31.tinypic.com/soslr4.jpg

It is kinda hard to tell from the small pic, but I think it it just a connector. Might have a fuse in it, but I can't tell.

EDIT: ^^ Ya, what CFC Fodder said.

woox · Post by **woox** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 9:55 am

Ic again more insulation :/

I think I am going to just go out and buy some heat shrink tubes to get the job done nice and neat.

mothatrucka · Post by **mothatrucka** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 8:56 pm

Wirenuts are going to hold better if there's any movement at all. It's a much more solid method than just twisting it all together and heat shrinking it. Those connectors in the pic are a reliable method as well. You can get a set of stripper/crimpers with a huge assortment of connectors for pretty cheap. Not all connectors are that big by any means. You can get some very small ones that work well.