Navigation

    Duet3D Logo

    Duet3D

    • Register
    • Login
    • Search
    • Categories
    • Tags
    • Documentation
    • Order

    Bowden Wiring - Choice of cable?

    General Discussion
    9
    10
    708
    Loading More Posts
    • Oldest to Newest
    • Newest to Oldest
    • Most Votes
    Reply
    • Reply as topic
    Log in to reply
    This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
    • pro3d
      pro3d last edited by

      I want a simple solution - A multi lead cable that can handle moving around a lot (yes using strain relief)

      I am not talking about the heater cable as this is a silicone I will continue to use

      I have been through a lot of iterations and currently are running a CAT6 ethernet cable with 8 wires of awg26? or is it 24.. dont remember

      The CAT 5 was suggested but as this was not in stock I went with CAT6 and it is just to stiff for my liking - Seems like a accident waiting to happen and I also find the wires one too thin

      My previous solution was various 2,3 and 4/5 lead cables of different sizes ranging from awg 26 to awg 20... Not a clean solution

      Any good solutions I have missed out there?
      0_1531414540760_20180712_185446.jpg

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • deckingman
        deckingman last edited by

        Try a Google search for "drag chain cable", e.g. Igus "chainflex".

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
        • timcurtis67
          timcurtis67 last edited by

          If you use Cat5 or 6 cable, make sure it is a patch cable. They have copper strand wires instead of solid strand wires. The solid ones aren't made for flexing around and will break over time.

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • dc42
            dc42 administrators last edited by dc42

            The flat Cat6 cables seem to be very flexible, but I don't know how well they would last or what current they can take.

            Whatever cabling solution you adopt, I recommend you use separate cables for 12V/24V wiring and 3.3V/5V wiring.

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • pro3d
              pro3d last edited by

              Seperating makes sense. I have found some flexible controller cables I will try for this purpose thanks to @deckingman

              Easy when you know what to look for 🙂

              I ordered some to test in 7 pin AWG23 - I can have one for 12V-24V in one vertical beam and one for 5/3,3 in the other vertical beam

              0_1531423016239_signalkabel-hochtemperaturbestandig-8.jpg

              T3P3Tony 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • T3P3Tony
                T3P3Tony administrators @pro3d last edited by T3P3Tony

                @pro3d worth ensuring they are in totally separate bundles. @DjDemonD can let you know what happens if there is a short inside the cables 😕

                @timcurtis67 I have had reports that even patch cables work harden and cause issues over time. They are designed to move about a bit, but not 1000s of moves a day.

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • dragonn
                  dragonn last edited by

                  0_1531432099313_P5170368.JPG
                  FFC cable + flat spring , works perfectly and looks nice.

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                  • DjDemonD
                    DjDemonD last edited by

                    That flat cable looks great.

                    Network cables are problematic they do work harden and the insulation fails, probably in my case exacerbated by having slightly too tight a bend at one point in the cable, but a short from hotend heater (was using 6 cores for heater) and 5v fan kills 2 duetwifi and 2 paneldue boards. Second one shouldn't have gone, but I presumed the first one was a dropped nut which caused the short and installed a second board. That'll learn me.

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • Knaudler
                      Knaudler last edited by Knaudler

                      Igus:
                      chainflex Steuerleitung CF9.02.07
                      2,60 - Igus sells to privat customer and good service
                      you can get a lot of test samples

                      voelkner/conrad:
                      UNITRONIC FD CY 7X0,25
                      ca. 3,-/m
                      Unitronic FD CP plus 7x0,25
                      ca. 5,-

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                      • brunofporto
                        brunofporto last edited by

                        Look for cables meant for professional audio. They are sturdy, flexible and made to receive bad treatment. You will find at many gauges and wire count.

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • First post
                          Last post
                        Unless otherwise noted, all forum content is licensed under CC-BY-SA