Hi guys,

Some of my equipment (Datamoons and ADJ Par 64's) have captive leads rather than a nice male IEC socket. As I am trying to use IEC extensions instead of regular extension leads, I am hoping to cut the wires off these lights and connect a male IEC plug in its place.

I understand that it is vital that it is done safely, and that wires are connected in the right place etc, but I am looking for some advice on how to actually connect the wires.

The screws in the male IEC plugs I have are tiny, and although I can wrap around the bare wires and screw down, I am not very happy with the connection as it looks like over time it might become loose.

I have done the obvious things, like ensure I can "tug" the wires with pliers to make sure they are tight, and used the cable grip, but Ive heard that soldering these might be a better idea.

Soldering is something I am not particularly good at - can someone let me know if soldering the connections would be a good idea, and how I should go about it? Do you solder it instead of using the screw, or as well asl? Any other advice would be much appreciated as although I have "googled" this, there seems to be little advice on the web about doing it!

I only have 4 things to do, so I dont mind taking my time to make sure it is a good job!

Alternatively, if there is anyone near Wombourne (Wolverhampton) who could do for me without costing too much, let me know ;o)

Cheers,

Mark

Hi Mark
After making loads of purpose made iec extension cables for my pre wired light bar, i have found soldering to be the best way. ironically Im just about to order a load of iec plugs etc to do my datamoons and led par cans.

Open up the plug and strip the wire to the corrct length while the terminator pins are in place making sure enough main insulation sits inside the plug. You will need to bend the live and neutral to make them fit

then remove the pins form the plug making sure they are in the same order and the same way up and remove the screws. If you try to do it with the pins in place you will melt the plug - been there done that!

holding the pins with a pair of pliers (they get hot) fill the hole with solder

tin your stripped wire then making sure they are straight solder the wire over the top of the hole.

let it cool then re assemble

You must take care measuring and striping the wire other wise you will have great difficulty re assembling the plugs, same applies if you dont get them straight.

The earth (Centre pin) will go straight and the live and neutral will have to bend then straighten if you know what i mean

hope this helps
Dave

Hi Dave,

Fantastic, thanks for that - just the type of advice I was hoping for!

That makes sense now - I wasnt sure whether you soldered the screw in place, but I can see now that the screw is not needed.

It sounds like I will need to concentrate to make sure I get the wires the right length etc so I will probably not have time to do it this week, but will get it done next week sometime. Like you, I am hoping to use only IEC cables of various lengths to make settign up quicker and tidier!

Even the cheaper lights come with IEC sockets now, so it is a bit annoying that the Datamoons and Par cans do not come like this as standard - but I suppose you cant have everything!

So you got your Datamoons in the end? I sold one of my pairs to fund the ADJ backlighters, but I wish I had kept them now as 4 would be perfect for the larger gigs!

Anyway, thanks again,

Mark

My local retailer grabbed me a pair of datamoons, he never considered stocking them until i asked. £225 which was a bargain considering the case etc.

my biggest bug bear is the white controller lead, bit of pimping needed as every lead i have is black and the 5 pin dmx is also a chew - saying that i have just ordered a pair of 5 pin to 3 pin xlr doofers

I can ALMOST say i am content with my light rig now...almost...thats why i never make any profit

I do wish that iec was a standard feature on every light, acme have got it right with iec in and out on the led fixtures but their par cans were a bit more than the adj

happy soldering

Dave

Mark,
You will need the screen to secure the pin/socket in place. Allow about 15mins/plug- if you're anything like you, you'll forget to put the strain relief sleeve on at least one of them

For IEC extensions, I normally buy them ready made (unless I really need to get a correct length). Not normally worth buying separate connectors and my time to assemble.

If you're unsure of the soldering side, the photos on the site below look to show good/bad/ugly!
http://www.bestinc.org/docs/Survival_Guide...asoldering.html

ie, no stray cores, the well flowed solder (no "cold joints"). It may help to visit the local market to get one of those "helping hands" vices/croc clips.

Jason

A definate Doh moment, you wont be the first to do that....or the last.

Hi Dave,

Yeah, that is a good price for the kit. I think thats what I paid when I bought two of the kits, but when I sold one (via eBay) I let it go for £165 - the best offer I had - even though it was never used apart from to check it worked. Still, you learn.........

Hi Jason,

Thanks for that - I might be being thick, but what do you mean by the screen to hold it in place? I know what you mean about leaving the sleeve off and having to start again - Ive dont that before now!

As Pinball machines are my main hobby, I really should learn how to solder properly

Link was very useful!

Cheers,

Mark

Mark - sorry, typo!

Screen=Screw -- use the screw unless its purely to secure the wire. If it also secures the pin/socket, then you really need it.


Pinball machines! Very Cool!!!

I made a penny dropper when I was about 13... Chipboard, a few pram wheels (gear reduction) a car battery and a 12V motor... Good times! lol


I rarely get to solder now- I'm a embedded developer, so most of the stuff I work with is BGA/high pitch SMT. Mind you... I still get to make countless RS232 cables when they are nicked borrowed...

Jason

the ones i use the pins just push in to the block and the screws are purely for cable fixing.

Why does a handfull of iec plugs and sockets cost me £75 on cpc, that always happens, oh i'll get one of them and one of them and oh look i need one of them too.

i wouldnt care if it was toys but its always bits and bobs.

I suppose the other option would be to fit an IEC inlet at the back of the datamoon. QMax punches are expensive for these, so you'd have to use your imagination.

I usually solder IEC dangly connectors for disco use as well, given the tugs and misuse they inevitably suffer....and the nasty things I've seen revealed when lifting the tops off them!

Do get a decent IEC connector, (Schurter, Bulgin), the chinese unbranded ones sold by many disco shops and online are horrendous and sometimes the pins can actually pull straight through the body when you de-mate them, or the little screw holding them together can punch through the case, or the pins can be made of such soft metal that they easily break...not to mention the often poor cable strain relief.