Members SpaceNorman Posted October 6, 2012 Members Share Posted October 6, 2012 My keyboard rack - which contains a Samson SM10 Line Mixer, a Motif ES Rack unit, a MOTU MIDIExpressXT Midi interface, an ART Isolation Transformer, etc. All of these devices use either 1/4" TR/TRS connectors or 5 pin MIDI connectors. There's a small rack mount power strip mounted on the rear rails of the rack. In part for "protection" and in part for aesthetics - the top 4u (it's a 6u rack) of open rack space on the rear of the rack are covered with blanks. Unfortunately, it seems like once every month of so (and always at the most inopportune time!) - I have to pull the blanks covering the back of the rack and reseat one or more of the connections. Unlike XLR and/or Speakon connectors that have a locking mechanism - some of the 1/4" and 5 pin DIN connectors are always jiggling half loose in the course of regular transport of the rack. I'm hoping for a few suggestions on ways to secure "straight connectors" in jacks that prone to coming loose. Any ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members W. M. Hellinger Posted October 6, 2012 Members Share Posted October 6, 2012 I'm hoping for a few suggestions on ways to secure "straight connectors" in jacks that prone to coming loose. Any ideas? Equip your patch cables with these: http://www.switchcraft.com/productsummary.aspx?Parent=79 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lonotes Posted October 7, 2012 Members Share Posted October 7, 2012 You could also replace the blanks with one of these. http://www.fullcompass.com/product/274057.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members StratGuy22 Posted October 7, 2012 Members Share Posted October 7, 2012 Would blanking off the back cause heat issues? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members IsildursBane Posted October 7, 2012 Members Share Posted October 7, 2012 Custom wire looms. Cables wiggle loose less when they're all zip tied together. -Dan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Unalaska Posted October 7, 2012 Members Share Posted October 7, 2012 Use zip ties and tie the to something inside to provide some strain relief Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members agedhorse Posted October 7, 2012 Members Share Posted October 7, 2012 I've done plenty of these connections inside racks and with proper harnesses and strain relief loops I haven't ever had any problems. IEC power connections are a different story however. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members W. M. Hellinger Posted October 7, 2012 Members Share Posted October 7, 2012 IEC power connections are a different story however.A wad of the correct gauge of paper(or cardboard) as a wedge deftly applied seems to generally do the job... but I agree... the IEC's are a problematic connector sometimes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members agedhorse Posted October 7, 2012 Members Share Posted October 7, 2012 A wad of the correct gauge of paper(or cardboard) as a wedge deftly applied seems to generally do the job... but I agree... the IEC's are a problematic connector sometimes. The biggest problem is with the heavier gauge cables on the power amps. When designing our products, we use IEC products that have a very tight fit and contact tension. Eliminates the vibrating during a gig as well.loose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Jorge7 Posted October 7, 2012 Members Share Posted October 7, 2012 QSC has put a simple wire retainer on the IEC connector on the chassis of my PL236 that holds the IEC plug on the cable pretty securely. Must have cost a whopping $0.25 for parts and labor, although it does not have a high tech look like a PowerCon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members W. M. Hellinger Posted October 7, 2012 Members Share Posted October 7, 2012 Use zip ties and tie the to something inside to provide some strain relief I'm a big fan of spiral wire wrap loom like this for bundling wires inna rack: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Electric-Wires-5-5mm-OD-12M-Spiral-Wrapping-Bands-Black-/130775059366?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e72cd0ba6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Pro Sound Guy Posted October 8, 2012 Members Share Posted October 8, 2012 My keyboard rack - which contains a Samson SM10 Line Mixer, a Motif ES Rack unit, a MOTU MIDIExpressXT Midi interface, an ART Isolation Transformer, etc. All of these devices use either 1/4" TR/TRS connectors or 5 pin MIDI connectors. There's a small rack mount power strip mounted on the rear rails of the rack. In part for "protection" and in part for aesthetics - the top 4u (it's a 6u rack) of open rack space on the rear of the rack are covered with blanks. Unfortunately, it seems like once every month of so (and always at the most inopportune time!) - I have to pull the blanks covering the back of the rack and reseat one or more of the connections. Unlike XLR and/or Speakon connectors that have a locking mechanism - some of the 1/4" and 5 pin DIN connectors are always jiggling half loose in the course of regular transport of the rack. I'm hoping for a few suggestions on ways to secure "straight connectors" in jacks that prone to coming loose. Any ideas?I take a TRS male connector and dip it in 200% ETHYL alcohol and push/pull and wipe several times in the female connectors to clean them. Especially on mixers where the routing changes on the signal on inserts etc. You can also use something like DeoxIT cleaners to do this. Clean all your male TRS/1/4 connectors as well. Clean all your connections whatever they may be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members agedhorse Posted October 8, 2012 Members Share Posted October 8, 2012 200% Ethanol does not exist. Perhaps you mean 200 proof? Cleaning is one thing, it's necessary for there to be an antioxidant that prevents degrading of the metal. Plating helps but there is so much crap in the air these days that DeOxit R5 is the defacto standard for protection. A tiny amount will do it. The noral switches in insert jacks can not be cleaned by using a male plug. The switch is on the back side of the contact assy. A tiny spray of deOxit will migrate on there though, but don't do this more than every few years or you will end up with a mess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Don Davis Posted October 8, 2012 Members Share Posted October 8, 2012 I've done plenty of these connections inside racks and with proper harnesses and strain relief loops I haven't ever had any problems. IEC power connections are a different story however. I thought this was a pretty creative way to secure IEC's in some applications. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members W. M. Hellinger Posted October 9, 2012 Members Share Posted October 9, 2012 200% Ethanol does not exist. Perhaps you mean 200 proof? I'm of the understanding that 200 proof Ethanol (or any alcohol) doesn't exist... except in theory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members W. M. Hellinger Posted October 9, 2012 Members Share Posted October 9, 2012 I thought this was a pretty creative way to secure IEC's in some applications.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJSzO5kTIMU Nice! Really well done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members twostone Posted October 9, 2012 Members Share Posted October 9, 2012 I thought this was a pretty creative way to secure IEC's in some applications. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJSzO5kTIMU Sweet thanks for sharing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members agedhorse Posted October 9, 2012 Members Share Posted October 9, 2012 I thought this was a pretty creative way to secure IEC's in some applications.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJSzO5kTIMU Creative! Note that some IEC connectors have nuts on the back side and when you take the screw out you will hear that sickening sound of the nut falling off (if the screw comes out at all). Also, if you value your fingers, don't use an electric drill while holding the hook with those same fingers. Sharp bits will grab in an instant and the result could be bloody. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Pro Sound Guy Posted October 9, 2012 Members Share Posted October 9, 2012 200% Ethanol does not exist. Perhaps you mean 200 proof?Cleaning is one thing, it's necessary for there to be an antioxidant that prevents degrading of the metal. Plating helps but there is so much crap in the air these days that DeOxit R5 is the defacto standard for protection. A tiny amount will do it. The noral switches in insert jacks can not be cleaned by using a male plug. The switch is on the back side of the contact assy. A tiny spray of deOxit will migrate on there though, but don't do this more than every few years or you will end up with a mess.Yes correct! 200 proof! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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