Topic: What size techflex ?

[ttrego2003]

Was wondering what size techflex to buy ,if I was thinking of wrapping two pair of Belden 18 AWG wire in one jacket?

Todd

[darktrain]

1/4, you could get it in 1/8 but would be pretty stiff

[ttrego2003]

thanks for the info.

[ttrego2003]

So what is the best way to pull cables through techflex straight and not getting them kinked up?

[darktrain]

no real trick except tape the 2 ends together that you are pulling through and just keep working it through straight

[ttrego2003]

thanks

[Chuck]

I want to bundle together three pair (total 6 cables) together for a short microphone snake.
The cable is a little smaller in OD than Belden 1804a. All bundled together, the cables are approx .300" in diameter.

What size TechFlex would work best?

For future reference, do I want to buy TechFlex that's nominal size is closest to the diameter of the wires they it will hold? Which also is a bit of a problem, since my diameter is .300". So, 1/4" .25" is too small and 3/8" 3.75" is too large...

Thanks in advance for the help.

[kirk97132]

The tech flex I've used is like those Chinese finger traps.  if you pull the ends away from each other it gets tighter.  Conversely if you push the ends towards each other it opens up.  DEPENDING ON THE LENGTH....you could probably use the smaller diameter BUT once in place it is stiffer and once you;ve wrapped it there can be a sort of memory to the wraps.  Of course if your cable run is long then trying to squeeze it into the smaller diameter can really suck.  The larger will allow easy wrapping and will not have any tendency to maintain a "memory" .  If it was me I'd use the larger and just go with it, rather than trying to get it to a "perfect" fit. 

[Chuck]

I'm making a 17' long bundled mic snake to go from my DR-680 to three pairs of microphones on a stand. I only need about 15' of TechFlex, since I want the ends to not be bundled for plugging into the recorder and the microphones.

From what I'm reading about it, it sounds like PET2-C-BK (1/8" to 7/16") is what I need. Does that look right?
$18.30 for 100' at MarkerTek. I could sell the rest in the YS...

I've bought TechFlex in the past, but it was long enough ago that I don't remember if it's better to get it a bit over sized or undersized.

[goodcooker]

I'm making a 17' long bundled mic snake to go from my DR-680 to three pairs of microphones on a stand. I only need about 15' of TechFlex, since I want the ends to not be bundled for plugging into the recorder and the microphones.

From what I'm reading about it, it sounds like PET2-C-BK (1/8" to 7/16") is what I need. Does that look right?
$18.30 for 100' at MarkerTek. I could sell the rest in the YS...

I've bought TechFlex in the past, but it was long enough ago that I don't remember if it's better to get it a bit over sized or undersized.

Chuck,
I have about 70 feet of 1/2" Clean Cut in black left over from making a three channel snake for a taper. You're more than welcome to 20 feet of it. PM me your address and I'll send it out. It may be a little baggy for your intended use (three lengths of milspec 22awg fit with lots of room to spare) but as kirk mentioned the more slack you have the more flexibility the finished assembly will have....and it's free so you can't really go wrong 

[Chuck]

PM sent

[Todd R]

What cable stock are you using Chuck?  I haven't seen too much smaller than the 1804b.

[Chuck]

It's something I found on a 1000' reel at a local electronics surplus warehouse. It's only slightly smaller in diameter than 1804a. There was no information on the reel that I pulled it from on the manufacturer or item number. The two conductor wires have a thick Teflon coating. Not Teflon wrapped, like the mil spec silver. And the shielding is braided and heavy. I'm hoping that it works well for mic cable.

Edit to add photo of the wire.

[kirk97132]

So I think the insulator on the internal wires is pvc.  Teflon is a super flexible and kind soft like silicon feel IIRC.  The fact that the two leads in the jacket are not twisted (are they?)  means less RFI rejection.  Read that as a bigger chance of cell phone noise among other things.  The twist helps with RFI rejection.  Especially if you are in situations with lighting that is run on dimmers too, like on a stage.   

[Chuck]

So I think the insulator on the internal wires is pvc.  Teflon is a super flexible and kind soft like silicon feel IIRC.  The fact that the two leads in the jacket are not twisted (are they?)  means less RFI rejection.  Read that as a bigger chance of cell phone noise among other things.  The twist helps with RFI rejection.  Especially if you are in situations with lighting that is run on dimmers too, like on a stage.   

The wires are a twisted pair and have a Teflon jacket, not PVC. The outer jack may be PVC. It's much more slippery than Belden 1804a jacket. The cable is very flexible. Even with 6 of the wires bundled together it is very flexible. I was able to make about a 7" diameter coil with little effort when I tested it for bundling.