Is this ribbon cable suitable for the 2600 project?

jeffslot · Post by **jeffslot** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 6:00 pm

Hello,

I'm at a temporary standstill, while I wait for Radio Shack nearme to get some more 1K-ohm potentiometers. Up to this point I've been using floppy drive ribbon cable, but it looks like I'll now need some longer cable.

http://img160.echo.cx/img160/6766/img01193sn.jpg

The description on this cable reads:

105 deg celcius 300 V 28 AWG 1CB23

Thanks

Jeff S.

Post by **SpongeBuell** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 6:08 pm

what are you trying to use it for, normal wiring? I've tried IDE (same thing) wire before, and found that the single thread wire at radio shack is sooo much easier to work with, since this kind can split and touch other pins, etc. Otherwise, it should work. you may want to use 2 wires to carry a signal better for the audio, video, and power, though.

jeffslot · Post by **jeffslot** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 6:11 pm

Yeah, I wanted to use it for normal wiring. I though I rememberd from the book that certain wire wouldn't work, something about pre 1999 was best. But please give me more info about this wire from radio shack, so I know I'm buying the right kind.

jeff S.

jeffslot · Post by **jeffslot** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 5:28 pm

Anyone else care to weigh in on the ribbon cable?

Thanks Jeff S.

Foxx373 · Post by **Foxx373** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 8:05 am

That looks like 80 pin IDE cable. Its got thin wires. Try to use floppy drive cables. Or standard IDE.

I have also seen that you have been asking about your solder work. The work is good, but try to trim your bare leads down a bit. You shouldnt have too much bare wire exposed on a solder joint. When cramming crap into a case the wires might bend slightly and catch other pins. Besided that, you are doing some spiffy work. Keep it up!

jeffslot · Post by **jeffslot** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 10:40 am

Hello,

Thanks for the advice about that cable. I started out with floppy cable, but when the book read "cut an eight inch" piece, I started thinking..... I'm still not sure what to do.

Jeff S.

jeffslot · Post by **jeffslot** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 7:08 pm

Ok,

I think I've had it with ribbon cable, it seems really hard to strip & solder together. Tomorrow, I'm off to Radio Shack to buy some better cable, any ideas what kind I should get? Thanks again.

Jeff S.

Post by **SpongeBuell** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 7:12 pm

as long as it's solid and not threaded, you should be fine

SpongeBuell

jeffslot · Post by **jeffslot** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 7:29 pm

Really,

I thought solid was too hard to manuever? Are you saying it's ok for the 2600 project? Ok, well I will have to trust you know what you are doing.

Thanks.

Jeff S

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 7:43 pm

I got some solid ribbon from Radio chack a while ago, i think it is too hard to maneuver and bend compared to threaded. My recommendation is if you have ribbon cable you can use first cut the individual wires out with an x- acto knife. Then bend up each wire and strip it with some wire strippers. After that twist all the leads! This is very important. After that, tin the exposed wire by melting a small amount of solder on the exposed portion fusing the threads together. That way you have solid wire like connections with the flexibility of threaded wire! Also I would recommend using some kind of flux while soldering as it allows for the use of less solder and makes strong connections.

Post by **SpongeBuell** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 7:44 pm

Trust me, this stuff is so much better. I has the bendiness of treaded wire for the most part, is just as sturdy, and is a gazillion times easier to solder with, especially since a thread can't touch another pin. Also, you can use my method for soldering pretty easily: melt the solder around the pin you want to solder to. Then, gently push on the pin to bend it, and insert the wire to where the pin was. add a little more solder as needed, and you have a rock solid connection

jeffslot · Post by **jeffslot** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 7:48 pm

OK, I will pick some up tomorrow. Thanks!