quick cable question - Page 2 - dj forums

**BillESC** · 03-09-10, 02:55 PM

You're much better off making (or buying) single ended extension cords as they are easier to deal with. We build a product called a Quad Through which can be seen in this picture of a cable order we built and shipped to a customer.

The Quad Through allows you to jump outlets into a cable run just about anywhere you need and is a whole lot easier to deal with than if it were attached to the end of a 50 or 100 foot run of cable.

Allensmusic · 03-09-10, 03:00 PM

Bill, thats is what I did not do. I did not make my boxes run through. now I am going to have to add that to my boxes

JasonPaige · 03-09-10, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allensmusic

Nice!! what cord do you run to the distro? something like a 10-3 w/ ground?

I'm not sure what type cable is on the distro, but it's thick. I'd have to go look at the markings.

JasonPaige · 03-09-10, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillESC

You're much better off making (or buying) single ended extension cords as they are easier to deal with. We build a product called a Quad Through which can be seen in this picture of a cable order we built and shipped to a customer.

The Quad Through allows you to jump outlets into a cable run just about anywhere you need and is a whole lot easier to deal with than if it were attached to the end of a 50 or 100 foot run of cable.

Nice! I might have to make a few of those next time.

light-o-matic · 03-09-10, 04:02 PM

Yes, very nicely made.

**BillESC** · 03-09-10, 05:38 PM

Thanks.

The order was placed with us at 10:15 AM and was packed on the dock for UPS at 4:05 PM.

We do a lot of custom cable assemblies.

**Cheap Charley** · 03-09-10, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillESC

The Quad Through allows you to jump outlets into a cable run just about anywhere you need and is a whole lot easier to deal with than if it were attached to the end of a 50 or 100 foot run of cable.

First time I've seen that, excellent idea.

Allensmusic · 03-09-10, 07:10 PM

I use the same concept, but I have to plug the next cord into the junction box rather than the pigtail, and that doesnt work nearly as well

djscrizzle · 03-09-10, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonPaige

I'm not sure what type cable is on the distro, but it's thick. I'd have to go look at the markings.

Done and Done. On the power cords/stringers... It's 12/3 type SOOW and on the Distro, either 6/4 or 4/4 type SOOW.

I personally use 14/3 SJOW on a 60 ft and a 20 ft cord, I also have one each of 70ft and 30 ft 10/3 STW cables. They were both RV cords, and I re-connectored them for use in my PA and lighting rigs.

**Cheap Charley** · 03-10-10, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djscrizzle

I personally use 14/3 SJOW on a 60 ft and a 20 ft cord, I also have one each of 70ft and 30 ft 10/3 STW cables.

I just looked & all of my home made extension cords say SJOW & all of my store bought extension cords say SJTW.

Which is better T or O?

djscrizzle · 03-10-10, 03:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheap Charley

I just looked & all of my home made extension cords say SJOW & all of my store bought extension cords say SJTW.

Which is better T or O?

The T means thermoplastic, and the O means Oil Resistant. 2 Os mean that both the jacket and inner insulation are oil resistant. SOOW is the best of the cordage types you woudl use on the stage/at the gig.

STW is good if you can find it, as it is still 600 volt rated and is cheaper than SO/SOOW in many markets.
For cables, I recommend SEOOW or SO in the proper gauge for the circuit you're connecting. Just keep in mind that all wires are counted in S types.

Most, if not all consumer grade cords are SJTW. The J means that it's got thinner insulation, and is only rated at 300 volts instead of 600. J is ultimately lighter duty than it's non-j relatives.

**Cheap Charley** · 03-10-10, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djscrizzle

The T means thermoplastic, and the O means Oil Resistant. 2 Os mean that both the jacket and inner insulation are oil resistant.

So oil resistant is better than thermoplastic?

Allensmusic · 03-10-10, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djscrizzle

Most, if not all consumer grade cords are SJTW. The J means that it's got thinner insulation, and is only rated at 300 volts instead of 600. J is ultimately lighter duty than it's non-j relatives.

this is why the cords on sale are still not really a good deal. they are cheaper because they are lower quality.

Allensmusic · 03-10-10, 10:00 AM

http://www.retractable-extension-cor...d-ratings.html

here is a link to the ratings chart

DJ Pyro · 03-10-10, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillESC

You're much better off making (or buying) single ended extension cords as they are easier to deal with. We build a product called a Quad Through which can be seen in this picture of a cable order we built and shipped to a customer.

The Quad Through allows you to jump outlets into a cable run just about anywhere you need and is a whole lot easier to deal with than if it were attached to the end of a 50 or 100 foot run of cable.

Funny I'm seeing this as I just bought quad boxes on Monday to install on my truss.
I'll be doing two boxes mounted on the truss using O-Clamps and then having the
quad boxes setup as through boxes so I'm only running one cord down the truss.
I would like to use powercon since it is more secure but the price just isn't worth
it for me right now. Maybe when I do the install on my larger truss I'll use powercon.
I'll have some detailed pics on the whole process which will probably be a few weeks
since I'm a little busy with rentals and such.

DJ Pyro · 03-14-10, 02:35 PM

They don't look as good as Bill's but then again this was my 1st quad box like this.
It works fine for me... Wish I would have had black plugs and connectors but since it
will be so high in the air it won't really matter.

**BillESC** · 03-14-10, 09:19 PM

Pyro,

Looks good. We stock the black connectors and they are well worth the extra couple bucks since they are industrial grade connectors. Some of my cables are over 30 years old and still earning rental income every year. That's what we call ROI.

RodneyL · 03-15-10, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ Pyro

They don't look as good as Bill's but then again this was my 1st quad box like this.
It works fine for me... Wish I would have had black plugs and connectors but since it
will be so high in the air it won't really matter.

That's exactly the idea I wanted. Thanks for the inspiration!

Mystic · 03-15-10, 06:30 PM

Yep, Pyro has inspired me to spend more money and build a few more of these for my studio since I keep kicking the damn surge protector around because the cables span my studio. I think I'm over putting it off. ehehe

**BillESC** · 03-15-10, 08:21 PM

Perhaps a Mox-50 cable is what you need. 12/3, 50' in length with 6 outlets spaced on approximately 8' centers. I use them for back lines and for music stand lights when the symphony comes to town.

DJ Pyro · 03-16-10, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RodneyL

That's exactly the idea I wanted. Thanks for the inspiration!

no prob... I want to make more but my hands are still tired from making just
those 3 along with the extension cord I made for it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mystic

Yep, Pyro has inspired me to spend more money and build a few more of these for my studio since I keep kicking the damn surge protector around because the cables span my studio. I think I'm over putting it off. ehehe

yea I'm thinking of doing this for my home studio too only I want to spray paint
the boxes. I also have another box I use for my basic T-Bar stand which is black
so I painted the box black and used an O-Clamp to go around it. Not sure if I have
pics of it or not.

DJ Pyro · 03-16-10, 06:05 AM

to the OP here is another thing you could use if you have a basic T-Bar and need
power for the truss. This is a quad box I made that has an O-Clamp on the back
so you can attach directly onto the truss.

RodneyL · 03-16-10, 10:00 AM

Excellent idea. I have those same o-clamps for my lights.

I have no idea how to make custom cables. you should make and sell some on here!

I might buy a few from you if the cable length is 15 ft or so!

Allensmusic · 03-16-10, 10:30 AM

DJ Pyro, very very nice!

Martin G · 03-16-10, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ Pyro;2468007[IMG

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs256.ash1/18361_608191302703_11205330_34193970_5263292_n.jpg[/IMG]

I'm going to make a couple of those - I have some of those clamps in my box ..

03-09-10, 02:55 PM	#26
BillESC Stagehand Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Kilmarnock, VA Posts: 903 Track: Classical Gas	You're much better off making (or buying) single ended extension cords as they are easier to deal with. We build a product called a Quad Through which can be seen in this picture of a cable order we built and shipped to a customer. The Quad Through allows you to jump outlets into a cable run just about anywhere you need and is a whole lot easier to deal with than if it were attached to the end of a 50 or 100 foot run of cable. __________________ Thanks, Bill ESC Innovative Production Assistance Since 1973 SALES * RENTALS * CONSULTING 804-435-6858 bill@entsyscorp.com www.shopesc.com Last edited by BillESC : 03-09-10 at 02:55 PM. Reason: typo

03-09-10, 05:38 PM	#31
BillESC Stagehand Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Kilmarnock, VA Posts: 903 Track: Classical Gas	Thanks. The order was placed with us at 10:15 AM and was packed on the dock for UPS at 4:05 PM. We do a lot of custom cable assemblies. __________________ Thanks, Bill ESC Innovative Production Assistance Since 1973 SALES * RENTALS * CONSULTING 804-435-6858 bill@entsyscorp.com www.shopesc.com

03-14-10, 02:35 PM	#41
DJ Pyro Superstar DJ Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 2,754 Track: Body Roll	They don't look as good as Bill's but then again this was my 1st quad box like this. It works fine for me... Wish I would have had black plugs and connectors but since it will be so high in the air it won't really matter. __________________ Team 6 Mixsquad www.THE6FM.com 2 - EV ZXA5, 2 JBL VRX918SP, 2 Tech 1200 MK2, 2 Pio CD 800MK2, Rane Empath, Rane TTM57, White MacBook, Alum MacBook Pro

03-14-10, 09:19 PM	#42
BillESC Stagehand Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Kilmarnock, VA Posts: 903 Track: Classical Gas	Pyro, Looks good. We stock the black connectors and they are well worth the extra couple bucks since they are industrial grade connectors. Some of my cables are over 30 years old and still earning rental income every year. That's what we call ROI. __________________ Thanks, Bill ESC Innovative Production Assistance Since 1973 SALES * RENTALS * CONSULTING 804-435-6858 bill@entsyscorp.com www.shopesc.com

03-15-10, 06:30 PM	#44
Mystic Elite DJ Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: State College, Pa Posts: 5,241 Track: Jenarium - Danger Rising (Miracle World)	Yep, Pyro has inspired me to spend more money and build a few more of these for my studio since I keep kicking the damn surge protector around because the cables span my studio. I think I'm over putting it off. ehehe __________________ Lighting/Stage Designer, WYSIWYG, GrandMA Lighting, Martin Lighting, Fire One Pyrotechnic Systems, IATSE DJ Lighting - The Complete Evolving Beginners Guide 2.0 <-- Click


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03-09-10, 04:02 PM	#30
light-o-matic Elite DJ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 6,988 Track: Sound of my Cat Purring	Yes, very nicely made.

03-15-10, 08:21 PM	#45
BillESC Stagehand Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Kilmarnock, VA Posts: 903 Track: Classical Gas	Perhaps a Mox-50 cable is what you need. 12/3, 50' in length with 6 outlets spaced on approximately 8' centers. I use them for back lines and for music stand lights when the symphony comes to town. __________________ Thanks, Bill ESC Innovative Production Assistance Since 1973 SALES * RENTALS * CONSULTING 804-435-6858 bill@entsyscorp.com www.shopesc.com

03-16-10, 06:05 AM	#47
DJ Pyro Superstar DJ Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 2,754 Track: Body Roll	to the OP here is another thing you could use if you have a basic T-Bar and need power for the truss. This is a quad box I made that has an O-Clamp on the back so you can attach directly onto the truss. __________________ Team 6 Mixsquad www.THE6FM.com 2 - EV ZXA5, 2 JBL VRX918SP, 2 Tech 1200 MK2, 2 Pio CD 800MK2, Rane Empath, Rane TTM57, White MacBook, Alum MacBook Pro

03-16-10, 10:00 AM	#48
RodneyL Bedroom DJ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: eastern,nc Posts: 435 Track: *required field	Excellent idea. I have those same o-clamps for my lights. I have no idea how to make custom cables. you should make and sell some on here! I might buy a few from you if the cable length is 15 ft or so!