bruce Posted November 8, 2005 Share Posted November 8, 2005 An update: (yes, dear moderators, I know, I'm replying to my own post, so should really edit the previous one. But it was several weeks ago. Makes much more sense to have a new post....) Got the octal plugs. Thanks, Ebay. Made up some leads. Pin-out was straightforward. Borrowed a demux. Made sure it had -ve outputs. So all ready to go. So took all the gear to the venue - the show isn't for a couple of weeks, but best to test in advance. First problem. The dimmers are hard-wired to an isolator via very short tails. Nothing unusual there - it just means they can't be moved, and the octal socket is hidden out-of-sight. Got to do the whole thing by touch. So. Pull out the old connectors, and try to plug in the adaptor cable. (Blind - working by touch alone) But can't get it to fit. Have a closer look. Both of the original octals don't have the centre keyed pin. It was broken off in the socket - which I can't see. So there's no way the adaptor is going in unless I get the pin out (ha!) or break off the pin on the adaptor. Check the other dimmer. Again, a broken pin. This time I'm lucky, and the broken bit isn't stuck in the hole, so I can fit the adaptor. Thankfully all works OK. Next problem - putting things back together. Now, which of the 8 possibilities is the correct option for that octal.... It's never straightforward. Bruce. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhuman Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 Moderation: similar threads mergedDoes anyone know what the type of control cable that very old strand systems like the mini 2 run off, there are two of them running from the desk to the dimmers? Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregB Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 LinkyModeration: thanks - threads now mergedHope this helps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulears Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 This stuff from cpc will do the trick, you don't need the screen, but it seems cheap enough - each core rated at an amp, but is fairly small, conductor wise. If you want longer runs, they do heavier cores - this stuff is mic cable size. Next size up here - at nearly 10mm od Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 Since it's just a control cable, it'll be delivering next to no current, so I wouldn't expect any significant voltage drop. Thin cable should be fine. I once ran some analogue dimmers using about 120m of ordinary cat5 cable, and it was OK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhuman Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 Thanks alot, but what is the name of the conector (like DMX etc)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 but what is the name of the conector (like DMX etc)? (pedantic - there's no such a thing a "DMX connector" - DMX is a protocol - there are 5-pin XLR connectors, which are commonly used for DMX...) The connectors you're talking about are known as "octal connectors". You'll have trouble finding them new - RS, CPC etc will sell the chassis-mount sockets, but the plugs are harder to come by. You can adapt an old relay base, or keep looking on Ebay. They were fairly common in the "valve radio" days... this is all discussed above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
springgrove Posted June 9, 2007 Share Posted June 9, 2007 The connectors you're talking about are known as "octal connectors". You'll have trouble finding them new - RS, CPC etc will sell the chassis-mount sockets, but the plugs are harder to come by. You can adapt an old relay base, or keep looking on Ebay. They were fairly common in the "valve radio" days... this is all discussed above.3 or 4 years ago I bought some from Lancelyn. You could try them. They do very occasionally come up on eBay. I have found one secondhand one kicking about, which, for cost of postage, you would be welcome to have. Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrewsj Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 Can I confirm that it is possible to control Mini2 dimmers, running on -15V analogue control, with a demux set to output -10V, assuming connectors are sorted out. I assume it is, since bruce said everything was OK, but I would be grateful to have someone confirm it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbuckley Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 Yaas Theres not even a longer answer :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
springgrove Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 Can I confirm that it is possible to control Mini2 dimmers, running on -15V analogue control, with a demux set to output -10V, assuming connectors are sorted out. I assume it is, since bruce said everything was OK, but I would be grateful to have someone confirm it. The control on a Mini2 dimmer pack is 0 to -10V, although the dimmer pack may supply -18V to -20V-ish to the desk. Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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