serial cable

[Gyro Gearloose]

I don't feel like building my own 6 pin serial cables. Looks like these ain't cheap on eBay.
Is there a secret source of cheap 3 foot long serial cables out there?

[Gyro Gearloose]

So looks like some soldering is in my future. I have no idea how, but I have only two Commodore serial cables and they're the ones that come with my boxed 1581 and 1571. I don't feel like using them.
I might buy one 9 footer and cut it in two.

[eslapion]

So looks like some soldering is in my future. I have no idea how, but I have only two Commodore serial cables and they're the ones that come with my boxed 1581 and 1571. I don't feel like using them.
I might buy one 9 footer and cut it in two.

Oh! What you mean is called IEC cables nowadays.

Look for Commodore IEC cable and you'll find lots!

I have a few extra of these cables and so does... Jean-Claude Lachapelle!!

[motrucker]

This site has three foot cables for $14.00 plus shipping;

https://www.oldsoftware.com/Commodore.html

There are loads from the UK on ebay, but oddly enough not much available in North America.

[Gyro Gearloose]

Thanks but looks like I'll make my own.

[Gyro Gearloose]

I'm still a bit miffed by this. Self-made cables are nice but the weak point has always been the lack of a proper molded strain relief. I might buy a 9 foot cable and cut it in two...

[banman]

Hi Gyro Gearloose,

I just saw this thread.

I have made a few up myself from scratch. They are fairly easily and inexpensively made.

I got most of the parts from Aliexpess. Ebay or Amazon will have the same parts. Get the DIN plugs that have a solder cup for the wires. It makes things easier...

Use a raw cut in half potato with the IEC pin header jamed into it. This will keep the work piece stable and stop the pins form over heating and destroying the plastic pin holder.. This will alow you to make a good strong solder joint. It works great!

The metal IEC plug shells have a metal crimp point that can be used to make a secure connection around the cable.


I understand there is no molding to the cable on the strain relief. I haven't had any issues with the ones I have made as yet. However I am always careful to disconnect the cables via the plug casing avoiding pulling on the actual cable itself.

[banman]

Hi Gyro Gearloose,

I should mention that there are different configurations of DIN plug.

Ones that are arranged 180 Degrees and others that are 240 degrees and some others still.

These articles have some nice pictures of the pin arrangements.

https://mariherigstad.wordpress.com/201 ... din-plugs/

https://www.showmecables.com/blog/post/ ... din-cables

Make sure you are getting the most suitable DIN plug for your C64 socket..

[Gyro Gearloose]

Thanks but I know how to make cables, I just don't care to anymore. It's quite boring to me. I made a cable last night and I forgot how dreadful the DIN connectors are with the cheap melty plastic, the terrible solder cup, the awful metal wire clasp (good thing I have industrial cable with a strong jacket), and the general cheap build quality.
After I built the cable I found out my 1541-ii doesn't read any disks so I have to figure that out.

[banman]

HI Gyro Gearloose

I made a cable last night and I forgot how dreadful the DIN connectors are with the cheap melty plastic, the terrible solder cup, the awful metal wire clasp (good thing I have industrial cable with a strong jacket), and the general cheap build quality.
After I built the cable I found out my 1541-ii doesn't read any disks so I have to figure that out.

I know what you mean there. Some of the plugs for sale are not too great..

I hope your issue with the disk drive isn't too serious and can be fixed....