Retractable or stretchy cable for stud and probe.

[rushdenx1]

I have two signalling panels which are about a foot apart both operated by the stud and probe method.  I use one probe to operate both panels but in order to reach all the studs on both panels the cable for the probe is about 3 feet long.  For neatness I would prefer the probe to have a retractable or stretchy cable connected, but not sure what options there are.  Any suggestions of what I can use and where I can buy them.  Thanks in anticipation. Kevin.

[Roy P]

Would a "curly" telephone or electric guitar cable do the trick. Cheap and easily obtainable. 

Retrieving the cable retraction mechanism from an old vacuum cleaner might keep people guessing!

RP

[Fat Controller]

There was an old technique of winding a piece of ordinary, straight, cable tightly around a former such as a broom handle; when the former is removed, the twist remains. I suspect phone/guitar cables are a bit too light for the sort of current/voltage required for point motors.

[richard-g8jvm]

Hi

why not try a curly microphone cable from a PMR, HAM or even CB transceiver. most are multi-cored plus a screen, so combining all cores will carry

several amps, easily handle the surge current on a point motor

 

Richard

[LNERGE]

From the 1928 Practical Telephone Handbook..

 

[JDW]

There was an old technique of winding a piece of ordinary, straight, cable tightly around a former such as a broom handle; when the former is removed, the twist remains. I suspect phone/guitar cables are a bit too light for the sort of current/voltage required for point motors.

 

I've heard of that, though never needed to try it.  Seems like an easy solution, if some cable is already to hand, from what I remember, it needed to be heated too, to retain the curliness (by immersion in hot water, I'd guess - and before anyone says it: make sure its dry before you use it!)

 

JD

[Fat Controller]

I've heard of that, though never needed to try it.  Seems like an easy solution, if some cable is already to hand, from what I remember, it needed to be heated too, to retain the curliness (by immersion in hot water, I'd guess - and before anyone says it: make sure its dry before you use it!)

 

JD

I have a colleague who, when she uses the radio handset and telephone, twists the leads even further than they're already twisted, such that you can barely lift them from the base-station. No problem with them retaining their curliness; the problem's trying to use a handset that doesn't want to budge off its rest..

[corax67]

You could purchase a couple of cheap coiled telephone handset cables like these:

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/400428939978?lpid=83&device=t&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=83&ff19=0

 

chop off the connectors and utilise a couple of the cores or pick up a couple of panel mount RJ10 sockets to make yourself some removable probes.

[JDW]

I have a colleague who, when she uses the radio handset and telephone, twists the leads even further than they're already twisted, such that you can barely lift them from the base-station. No problem with them retaining their curliness; the problem's trying to use a handset that doesn't want to budge off its rest..

 

As always - if you want something to stick: not a chance.  But when you don't want it to, it'll stay coiled up forever...

[66C]

I have two signalling panels which are about a foot apart both operated by the stud and probe method.  I use one probe to operate both panels but in order to reach all the studs on both panels the cable for the probe is about 3 feet long.  For neatness I would prefer the probe to have a retractable or stretchy cable connected, but not sure what options there are.  Any suggestions of what I can use and where I can buy them.  Thanks in anticipation. Kevin.

Hi Kevin

 

A range of leads are available for DCC system throttles - have a look here:

 

http://www.dccsupplies.com/shop/index.php?cPath=23_162

 

Be sure to use the wires in any such leads in parallel to give the current capacity that solenoid motors need.

 

An alternative, slightly over-engineered solution, is to use a curly lead as sold for electric kettles. This would have the advantages of being robust and providing more than enough current carrying capacity.

 

Regards.

[rushdenx1]

Thanks for the response.

 

A couple of questions:

 

1/ Is a RJ10 telephone cable suitable or is the current/voltage insufficient ?  If it is ok, do I connect all the wires to the CDU / probe.

2/ If I use a kettle lead, what core (colour) cable do I connect to the CDU / probe.

 

Kevin.

[RailWest]

Given that you only need one core for a 'probe', then if you are using any form of multi-core cable I would recommend connecting ALL the cores. That way, you minimise the risk of a core break leaving you with a dead probe and maximise the current-bearing capacity.

[ForestPines]

Given that you only need one core for a 'probe', then if you are using any form of multi-core cable I would recommend connecting ALL the cores. That way, you minimise the risk of a core break leaving you with a dead probe and maximise the current-bearing capacity.

I suspect telephone cable single cores wouldn't have a high enough current rating - analogue phones use higher voltages but lower currents than model railways. Connecting all of the cores in parallel should solve this though.