| Making my own DMX cable...what's the best cable? [message #322356] |
Tue, 13 May 2008 12:02  |
 brian dunard
Messages: 252
Registered: May 2004 |
Has No Life |
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I am going to be making some short jumpers for my new light rig. I have made dmx cables in the past. However, I think all of the cables had the fiber/yarn strainer. This stuff slows me down and is not good for my wire strippers. Is there a better grade single pair DMX cable that I should look at? If so, where are some places to purchase that would have it instock? Thanks!
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| Re: Making my own DMX cable...what's the best cable? [message #323635 is a reply to message #322356 ] |
Sat, 17 May 2008 08:46  |
Larry Presnell
Messages: 3
Registered: March 2008
Location: Asheville, NC |
Newbie |
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Would like to know this too. I bought some Belden 9841, good cable, but would not hold up to the rigors of constant use.
[Updated on: Sat, 17 May 2008 08:47]
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| Re: Making my own DMX cable...what's the best cable? [message #323762 is a reply to message #323635 ] |
Sat, 17 May 2008 20:13 |
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John Birchman, CTS
Messages: 268
Registered: March 2005
Location: Lake Buena Vista, FL USA |
Has No Life |
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Gepco has a nice DMX cable - but it is true DMX, 2 pair:
http://www.gepco.com/products/proav_cable/network/control_dm x_M.htm
This is part of the problem that people have with DMX cables, as they often use audio cable for DMX, but audio cable is not the correct type of cable for DMX signal.
DMX 512 is based on RS-485, so if you want to search for RS-485 cable at Belden or other cable manufacturers, this will work fine for DMX. If you only need to make a few, it may be cheaper to purchase cables that are already made, as most cable is sold in a 500' or 1000' minimum quantity.
Full Compass does sell the Gepco DLC224 cable by the foot:
http://www.fullcompass.com/product/240546.html
And Full Compass also has DMX cable assemblies for sale as well.
John
The more that you read, the more things you will know.
The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.
Seuss-isms
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| Re: Making my own DMX cable...what's the best cable? [message #323850 is a reply to message #323762 ] |
Sun, 18 May 2008 10:53 |
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John Moore
Messages: 106
Registered: March 2006
Location: Tracy, CA-Central Valley |
Has No Life |
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we have used http://www.cbicables.com/lightingpower08.pdf (the dmx cables 2/3 the way down) with good results, braided shielding, not super flexible, but we use it to our lighting controller to dimmer rack...typically use mic cables between fixtures with good results...
Always in upgrade mode, I hate that...
Trinity Productions
http://www.trinityprosound.com
dealers for Peavey, B52, CBI Cables, RAPCO, Altman, ETC, Distro Feeder cable #1 to 4/0, CAM LOKs, Thomas Truss, Leviton NSI
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| Re: Making my own DMX cable...what's the best cable? [message #326063 is a reply to message #323850 ] |
Mon, 26 May 2008 06:33 |
Clint Almarode
Messages: 69
Registered: September 2006
Location: Mathews, VA |
Should Get Out More |
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Here is some good reading on what type of cable is to be used for DMX-512 protocol.
http://www.usitt.org/standards/dmx512_faq.html#FAQ_06
I have never had a problem using mic cables for DMX until I got my Mac 250's. They prefer DMX cables.
Thanks,
Clint Almarode
Xclusive Audio
www.xclusive-audio.com
Mathews, VA
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| Re: Making my own DMX cable...what's the best cable? [message #326953 is a reply to message #326063 ] |
Wed, 28 May 2008 23:27 |
Louise Miller
Messages: 2
Registered: May 2008
Location: QLD |
Newbie |
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We used the blue microphone cable by Eurocable. It is very easy to work with and solder.
It has the copper shield, and no braid to get tangled in
Cheers, Milli
Louise Miller
Trainee Lighting Technician
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