[SML] Fixing DMX Cables

[Jon Ares]

Believe me, I won't be selling my soldering skills. I've been doing
shitty wire soldering for over 40 years, and I still suck. I can braze
copper fine, but tiny wires - I will never get good at that. I've even
tried upping my chances by getting spendy soldering stations (with
temp control, tiny tips, etc) - and I just can't make a pretty, or
reliable solder connection. Particularly itsy bitsy crap like LED
tape. Can't get solder to stick to those tiny pads without destroying
the tape. Can't see well enough, even with illuminated magnifiers -
depth perception is non-existent, since I have to close one eye when
using the magnifier, so therefore I get lots of burns on my fingers.

My point is some of us just plain shouldn't "sell" our soldering. :)
I've soldered up plenty of ugly XLR connections, but never for
anything critcal.

 - Jon

On Thu, Mar 28, 2024 at 9:15 AM Stuart Wheaton via Stagecraft
<stagecraft at theatrical.net> wrote:
>
> Kristi,
>
> I respectfully disagree, and calling soldering a DMX cable "Fixing electrical equipment" as if it is a 3 phase 480 volt distro is laughable.
>
> Everyone starts somewhere, and fixing a damaged signal level cable is about as benign as you can get.  it is easy to test, and if you do it wrong, the worst case issue is that it won't work.  It has very little chance of damaging any commercially made gear out there, since they are almost always opto-isolated, the voltages are in the 3.3-5 volt range, and your kitchen stove creates a bigger burn hazard than the needed soldering iron.
>
> Ross, this is theatre tech 101, you CAN do it, it is safe, it is pretty easy and yes, it will probably take you 2 or 3 tries before you get good enough at it that you have a useable repair.  But since you have a failed cable now, you have nothing to lose.  Open it up and look at the way the connections were made, note which wire went to which pin on the plug, then chop that cable right before the melted part, get a new connector, and give it a shot!  If anyone you know has done it before ask them to teach you, otherwise the university of youTube is your friend.
>
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rS1gZ7zbvsM
>
> Just keep the solder out of your mouth, wear eye protection, and don't pick the soldering iron up by the hot end.
>
> You are in a position to learn a new and valuable skill, and Stuart's Motto is any skill you don't have is a skill you cannot sell.
>
> Stuart
>
>
> On 3/28/2024 10:04 AM, Kristi R-C wrote:
> Stuart - if someone is not comfortable fixing electrical equipment, they SHOULD find someone who is. That’s not something we want un-trained folks to do.
>
> Ross - If it’s only the outer cover, you may be able to simply put a couple of wraps of black electrical tape around it and return to service. If the inner wires are also melted, I’d find someone to cut off that damaged section and re-solder that end onto the shortened cable, OR replace the cable. Remind people who are installing lights that no cables should rest on the light body.
>
> Kristi R-C
>
> On Thursday, March 28, 2024, 07:22:13 AM CDT, Stuart Wheaton via Stagecraft <stagecraft at theatrical.net> wrote:
>
>
> Yes. To find that person, go get a mirror.
> Fixing or making DMX cables is a basic and essential skill, the tools
> and parts are cheap, the task is easy.
>
> Stuart
>
> On 3/28/2024 7:57 AM, Ross via Stagecraft wrote:
> >
> > In the hunt for grimlenes in the lighting system, I found that some
> > DMX cables got to close to the fixture & the outer coating melted a
> > little.  (Having replaced said cables the grimelines have gone away).
> >
> > These cables are roughly 10'.  Is it worth the hasel to find some one
> > to fix them?
> >
> >
> > Ross
> >
> >
>
>
> n/listinfo/stagecraft_theatrical.net
>
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-- 
Jon Ares
www.arescreative.com