Custom Sleeving And Modding

[KieranPCGamer]

Alright Everyone,


I need a little help please i am planning on custom sleeved extension cables for my new build i just need a little help, i was thinking going with 16 awg wire for better quality of my extensions but what do you guys thing 16 or 18 awg i am going with heatshrinkless, also i wanted to ask would this kind of wire be fine for what i need? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/361296232202?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2648&var=630634243778&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
its my first time doing it so i want to get all the right stuff what i need for sleeving, also i will be sleeving with PET


Thank you.

 

[gondo]

That wire is fine.

For guage check the size of the crimps for your connectors. Many molex crimps only take 18 guage on the pins. Also some pins will require 2 wires such as a 6+2 PCI-E connector. Or if you want to daisy chain power. That will require something like 2 22guage wires in an 18 guage crimp.

If you want to use 16 guage for whatever reason go ahead. But only 18 is required and you'll notice many crimps are only 18-22 guage rated.

Custom cables are usually a combination of 18 and 22 guage wires.

 

[KieranPCGamer]

I was thinking using 16 guage is because its what all the high end units us with their cables, also these are only
extension cables not full PSU, i just want to have ago at extension cables before i try and do a full set off cables for my psu,
also do you recommend a place to buy all my sleeving and connectors from?

 

[gondo]

http://www.moddiy.com/ has lots of stuff. All the connectors, pins, tools, wire, sleeving, etc.... They also ship worldwide and free shipping over $200. It seems like they ship using DHL, HongKong post, etc... since I believe they ship out of HongKong. Totally legit and many have had good experience with them including myself. They have a huge selection and good prices.

The only problem is that being in Hong Kong (I think), it could take longer to receive your product. But at least you can get what you want all in one place at a decent price. I'm in North America so I don't know any European stores, except for the 2 that sell MDPC-X sleeving. But that's all they sell is the sleeving. Moddiy is the best I know of worldwide.

Also don't be scared just to make new cables for your modular PSU. Start with one to get used to it then do all the rest to custom lengths. In the end it does a good job instead of just doing extensions. Also all the connectors are reusable if you need to change anything, or swap power supplies. Just buy extra crimps for future use.

 

[KieranPCGamer]

I will deffo check them out thank you for all the info, just one quick thing is it female or male witch go in to the motherboard?
and what sleeving would you use PET or?

 

[gondo]

On the cable the connector is male but the crimp pins are female. On the motherboard itself is the opposite, a female connector with male pins inside.

PET is terrible stuff. MDPC-X is the good stuff.

I personally love Paracord 550. The advantages of Paracord 550: Low price, available in local hardware stores, tight weave, ultra flexible, many designs and colors available, fabric look which is nice, and can be melted with a lighter to do heatshrinkless methods.

Paracord get's little fibres on it since it's fabric so just pass a lighter over it and you can melt those away. Paracord is super cheap and available in many stores. You can also order it online in many different colors and patterns like Camouflage or UV. It also melts like nylon rope so you can melt the ends around the pin and just insert it in the connector for a non heatshrink method. The flexibility is nice too for cable routing.

Paracord is not a dedicated sleeving material. You need to remove the core since it's rope. But man it works nice and is probably the most popular stuff now.

 

[KieranPCGamer]

Thank you i was going to say dose moddiy sell MDPC-X as i have herd that pet is terrible, i think i am going to order some Paracord 550 and also mdpc-x
as i have a few new builds lined up i can get some cables for each build i do now. im going to order everything and get cracking with it thank you so much for all the info, i have learnt alot since using this forum.

 

[gondo]

Go to MDPC-X website and it will show their retailers in each part of the world. It's pretty limited but good stuff. Paracord is just the DIY stuff people use on the cheap, but it's actually very good stuff.

Don't forget to get those clips to hold all your wires together once sleeved. Called wire combs or cable combs. It does a nice jobs of keeping all your wires lined up straight. If price is an issue I'd order up a roll of Paracord and use that.

There are many tutorials online how to terminate a heat shrink free Paracord 550 pin. Check youtube.

 

[KieranPCGamer]

Okay thats great thank you and price is not an issue just want my build to look nice and clean, if you ask me i think Paracord 550 looks a little nicer, i do sleeve with both and see witch one look nicer for my build and i am just watching a Lutro0 vid and ye i know combs are a must if you ask me, did you get a nice bend with Paracord 550 did you cut one wire sorter then the other?

 

[KieranPCGamer]

Do you think this is okay for sleeving http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181264954497?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2648&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT ?

 

[gondo]

That's PET stuff. It's terrible.

Stick to Paracord 550 if you don't order better stuff. Paracord is really flexible so you can route your cables easily. Stiff sleeving is a pain and doesn't bend at all. Also PET doesn't hide the wire underneath. Paracord looks good. For dedicated sleeving that MDPC-X is the best stuff. Some people prefer Paracord over it though.

Also cut all wires the exact same length. Then cut your sleeve a little long. Put it over the wire, check the length and trim if necessary. Once done, cut all pieces the same length. The sleeve will stretch tight over the cables so you have to install 1 to check it's length and adjust. With paracord you don't need heatshrink so the length is crucial. You want to melt it right at the pin so it's hidden under the connector. It's looks sharp without the heatshrink and much easier to do. Heatshrink can do a crap job if you're not good or you don't have good heatshrink.

Using a lighter can burn heatshrink, it's best to use hot air. Also not all heatshrink is created equal. You want the best stuff for cables. And not all sleeving material can be burned for the heatshrink free effect which is why paracord is so popular...it's nylon and melts. Cheap, clean, looks good, flexible, and it hides the wire. Doesn't get any better than that.

Paracord is used for making weaves and knots for hobbies. Like making bracelets, straps, figurines, nets, etc.... It's a very popular hobby now so paracord is super popular and easy to find. The modding community figured out it was great for sleeving 18 guage wire. Get the 550 paracord. Other types are not suitable or the wrong size. If you get a roll of paracord I bet you'll try making some cool hobby with the leftovers. Like an action figure or something.