Black 3 pin male/female Extension Cables

[India48]

Hey guys,

Seems like I have looked everywhere for 3 pin extension cables which have a black 3 pin male connector. I have also searched the forums, to no avail.

Does anyone know where I can find a 3 pin extension cable (for fans) which have a black 3 pin male connector, the female can be any color, as I have black replacement connectors available.

The reason I ask is I want all my 3 pin connectors in my case to be black. I have ordered black 3 pin male and female connectors, but I don't want to connect the 3 pin male connectors myself, as I dont know how to do it.

Cheers

[shazza]

If Performance PCs doesn't have them, not sure who does. You could contact them and explain what you want - they could probably make them for you, although it would cost a bit.

Have you considered just extending your fan wires - it just takes some soldering to attach longer wire (or just cut off the ends and use your extensions, if you don't want to crimp new pins on. This works best if you are planning to sleeve the wires.

[India48]

I have considered extending my fan wires, although I quickly disregarded it. The reason is because as I said, I'm not confident with wiring. I wouldn't know where to start, and I'm concerned that Ill make some crucial error that will either destroy my 1850 GTs, or my Bitspower X-Stations, or my PSU, or a combination of. Furthermore, I'm a bit concerned that if I do a poor job of extending the wires, that my fans will lose current or voltage or something like that, and not perform as well as they should.

[shazza]

I understand your concerns. If you have some less expensive fans, you might try doing one of those first. I know it seems a bit daunting, but it's pretty easy. Fan wires do not seem to be anywhere near as touchy as CCFL wires do when it comes to extensions.

Another thought would be to use some paint for plastics to paint your connectors - should be possible to protect the pins from the paint... although this seems like a lot of work to me.

[India48]

Thanks for your input shazza,

I just really don't want to damage my GT's. I'm thinking surely someone has to manufacturer 3 pin extension cables with black male connectors. Hopefully a XS member will know who :D

[Kibbler]

Crimp your own. You need a crimping tool (blue handle one like in bianco's worklog), 24awg wire, male and female pins x3 each for each extension, male pin housing, and female pin housing. All of which are available from PPCs. Frankly, for the amount of work it takes to make one, all the pre-made ones available online are a bit of a ripoff. Just takes 30min of practice.

[India48]

Is this the crimping tool your referring to here (http://www.frozencpu.com/slt-16.html?id=wnSYph3K)?

Could someone perhaps sling me a link to the correct female pins I need to use with the above crimping tool so that the pins will fit into a 3 pin female housing?

[India48]

Also, does anyone know how to correctly crimp the 3 wires from a fan to a 3-pin male connector?

[aka_GK]

I vote for extending the wire as shazza said, as for me it is the easiest solution and there is nothing to mess. I don't have soldering iron so I just clean wire ends, twist them and cover with smallest (1/8" or so) heatshrink.

[India48]

What tool do I need to crimp female 3-pin pins to my fan wires?

[Equinediver]

Female housing and pins

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=164&products_id=1167

Crimp tool

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=272&products_id=1277

[Weevil]

Why dont you just colour them with a Sharpie?

[India48]

I have already purchased higher quality housings from MDPC-X. So are these the correct pins?

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=174&products_id=1390

and here;

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/fepifor3he.html

Furthermore, how do I know which AWG my wire is? And does anyone have a tutorial that shows how to correctly crimp the wire to the pin, as in how much sheeth you need to strip etc

[India48]

If I want to extend the wires on my GTs, what AWG wire do I need? and how do I join the new wire to the old fan wires correctly?

[eponymous]

Guys, I've got experience crimping all sorts of Molex connectors and I strongly suggest not buying that blue handled ratchet crimping tool for the following reasons:

1. It's cheap and nasty - the profiles aren't cut properly in the tool so you never get a proper crimp as per: http://www.molex.com/tnotes/crimp.html
2. You can't adjust the insulator crimp size independantly from the conductor crimp size.

I'd strongly suggest buying the proper Molex tool - trust me, you won't be dissapointed :)


http://uk.farnell.com/molex/63811-1000/crimp-tool/dp/1703928
http://uk.farnell.com/productimages/farnell/standard/42767689.jpg

Edit:

Are these the connectors you want?

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=60_164&products_id=24071
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/images/products/CX-MFH-BK_01.jpg

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=60_164&products_id=1167
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/images/large/products/Black3PinFemale_t_LRG.jpg

[India48]

Thanks for clearing that issue up with the crimping tool Eponymous,

The 3 connectors that I will be crimping are;

Female Molex 4 pin - http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1086, using these female Molex pins - http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=174&products_id=1417

Male Molex 4 pin - http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1168, using these male Molex pins - http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=174&products_id=1468

Female 3 pin (for fans) - http://en.mdpc-x.com/mdpc-cable-assemblies/3-pin-molex-black-housing.htm, with these female pins - http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=174&products_id=1390

Is it neccessary for me to use the same AWG wire on my fan extension cables, or my extension wires, as the AWG of the wire on my GT 1850s?

[Equinediver]

I've just been looking at the crimping tool eponymous mentioned. Although it is more expensive $49 as apposed to the $25 blue handled one, it is not ratchet style and therefore can need alot of pressure and no guarantee of a good crimp every time. There have been several discussions on crimpers, and the blue handled ones are fine, there are some slightly cheaper red handled ones, which are not good.

Charles wrote this guide on lengthening fan cables on Daniels build, you can find it here (http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showpost.php?p=3745706&postcount=319)

The sleeving guide (http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=202639) has alot of good information in it and would be well worth reading ;)

[eponymous]

I've just been looking at the crimping tool eponymous mentioned. Although it is more expensive $49 as apposed to the $25 blue handled one, it is not ratchet style and therefore can need alot of pressure and no guarantee of a good crimp every time. There have been several discussions on crimpers, and the blue handled ones are fine, there are some slightly cheaper red handled ones, which are not good.

Charles wrote this guide on lengthening fan cables on Daniels build, you can find it here (http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showpost.php?p=3745706&postcount=319)

The sleeving guide (http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=202639) has alot of good information in it and would be well worth reading ;)

Unless you're using a proper crimping press, you can never gaurantee an acurate crimp each time.

You're right in saying the ratchet crimpers are better, but only if you use the proper Molex one.

I've used that blue handled one and it was nothing but trouble. If you look carefully at the "M" profile of the top of the crimper you can see that it is very well forged on the Molex tool but badly forged on the blue one. It's this that is the biggest problem with the tool.

This is why it is much cheaper - the manufacturing is not up to spec.

I would also avoid buying the proper Molex ratched crimp tools unless you have obsceene amounts of money to spend :)

The hand crimper does require a bit more force, but honestly, it's such an amazing tool for what it is. Being able to adjust the insulator crimp size independantly from the conductor crimp size also gives you many more options such as doubling up wires into one crimp without piecering the sleeving when crimping.

Hope this helps :)


Thanks for clearing that issue up with the crimping tool Eponymous,

The 3 connectors that I will be crimping are;

Female Molex 4 pin - http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1086, using these female Molex pins - http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=174&products_id=1417

Male Molex 4 pin - http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1168, using these male Molex pins - http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=174&products_id=1468

Female 3 pin (for fans) - http://en.mdpc-x.com/mdpc-cable-assemblies/3-pin-molex-black-housing.htm, with these female pins - http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=174&products_id=1390

Is it neccessary for me to use the same AWG wire on my fan extension cables, or my extension wires, as the AWG of the wire on my GT 1850s?

Those look fine but I wouldn't bother with gold plated pins - you're paying more for them and it isn't really necessary. Generall we use gold plated pins for audio/video equipment where connector oxidization can actually have a deterimental effect on the qaulity of the signal. For power connector this isn't an issue.

As for your cabling, as long as you use at least the same gauge wire (AWG) or lower you'll be fine.

Most fan wires are 20AWG, and this can take up to about 10A which is way higher than what you'll need so should be just fine.

[Equinediver]

I wonder if the ones you get over in the UK are not the same. The one I have, which came from PPC's is fine and I can change the plates. I do like the way you can change the insulator size on yours, as when putting in double wires can be a tad fiddley!

As with all tools, one has to play around with them for a bit, and find which way suits one the best. I have to say I had quite a few squashed pins :rolleyes:

I was discussing this with my husband, he is a highly skilled engineer, welder, mechanic, leather worker.....the list is endless! He says you must have a ratchet, so you don't over or under crimp. Every one should turn out perfect. He does say that the quality of the blue handled tool is not the best, but unless one is prepared to spend hundreds of $$$$ they are more than adequate. BTW he is a Brit and says the quality of tools over here is way superior to in the UK ;)

[eponymous]

I wonder if the ones you get over in the UK are not the same. The one I have, which came from PPC's is fine and I can change the plates. I do like the way you can change the insulator size on yours, as when putting in double wires can be a tad fiddley!

As with all tools, one has to play around with them for a bit, and find which way suits one the best. I have to say I had quite a few squashed pins :rolleyes:

I was discussing this with my husband, he is a highly skilled engineer, welder, mechanic, leather worker.....the list is endless! He says you must have a ratchet, so you don't over or under crimp. Every one should turn out perfect. He does say that the quality of the blue handled tool is not the best, but unless one is prepared to spend hundreds of $$$$ they are more than adequate. BTW he is a Brit and says the quality of tools over here is way superior to in the UK ;)

I've always found British tools to be superior :P

However, that blue tool I had was cheap Chinese made crap lol.

[voigts]

For those of us on the american side of the pond, where can you find a good crimper for molex/fan pins? I have been looking for a while and can't seem to find anything but that blue handled made in china deal.

[India48]

Thanks everyone for your replies,

Eponymous, this tutorial here (http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showpost.php?p=3745706&postcount=319) is exactly what I am after. However, it does not actually go into enough depth regarding the "splicing" or in my words, joining, of the fan wire and the extension wire together. This is the part that I am least confident with, and I am yet to find a tutorial which goes into enough depth for me to be confident with it. Does anybody know of the correct way to join (or splice if you like) 2 wires together, or know of a tutorial which details how it is supose to be done?

The above tutorial also does not detail what the joins are covered in, does electrical tape do the job? Can I use heatshrink to cover the bare wires of the join? These are all questions that I am seeking the answers for.

Also, does anyone know the AWG for the fan wires on GT 1850's. These are the fans I am using and I would like to know the AWG of the wires so that I can purchase wire with the same or lower AWG.

[DeathWalking]

Thanks everyone for your replies,

Eponymous, this tutorial here (http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showpost.php?p=3745706&postcount=319) is exactly what I am after. However, it does not actually go into enough depth regarding the "splicing" or in my words, joining, of the fan wire and the extension wire together. This is the part that I am least confident with, and I am yet to find a tutorial which goes into enough depth for me to be confident with it. Does anybody know of the correct way to join (or splice if you like) 2 wires together, or know of a tutorial which details how it is supose to be done?

The above tutorial also does not detail what the joins are covered in, does electrical tape do the job? Can I use heatshrink to cover the bare wires of the join? These are all questions that I am seeking the answers for.

Also, does anyone know the AWG for the fan wires on GT 1850's. These are the fans I am using and I would like to know the AWG of the wires so that I can purchase wire with the same or lower AWG.Most fans use 24AWG.

[Kibbler]

Thanks everyone for your replies,

Eponymous, this tutorial here (http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showpost.php?p=3745706&postcount=319) is exactly what I am after. However, it does not actually go into enough depth regarding the "splicing" or in my words, joining, of the fan wire and the extension wire together. This is the part that I am least confident with, and I am yet to find a tutorial which goes into enough depth for me to be confident with it. Does anybody know of the correct way to join (or splice if you like) 2 wires together, or know of a tutorial which details how it is supose to be done?

The above tutorial also does not detail what the joins are covered in, does electrical tape do the job? Can I use heatshrink to cover the bare wires of the join? These are all questions that I am seeking the answers for.

Also, does anyone know the AWG for the fan wires on GT 1850's. These are the fans I am using and I would like to know the AWG of the wires so that I can purchase wire with the same or lower AWG.

Try here? http://www.mmxpress.com/technical/connections.htm. Soldering is by far the best and cleanest way so learn to love your soldering iron.

[India48]

For future reference, GT 1850 use 26 AWG wire for their fan wires. It was difficult, and I had to check a few fans, but I used a magnifying glass and a lamp to read the insulation on the wires. I found it easiest to read on the yellow wire, but its in extremely small text. Barely readable, but it reads 26 AWG.

[eponymous]

Thanks everyone for your replies,

Eponymous, this tutorial here (http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showpost.php?p=3745706&postcount=319) is exactly what I am after. However, it does not actually go into enough depth regarding the "splicing" or in my words, joining, of the fan wire and the extension wire together. This is the part that I am least confident with, and I am yet to find a tutorial which goes into enough depth for me to be confident with it. Does anybody know of the correct way to join (or splice if you like) 2 wires together, or know of a tutorial which details how it is supose to be done?

The above tutorial also does not detail what the joins are covered in, does electrical tape do the job? Can I use heatshrink to cover the bare wires of the join? These are all questions that I am seeking the answers for.

Also, does anyone know the AWG for the fan wires on GT 1850's. These are the fans I am using and I would like to know the AWG of the wires so that I can purchase wire with the same or lower AWG.

Probably the best way to join the wires is to solder them:

1. You need to tin both of the wires by adding a small amount of solder to each side.

2. Then bring the wires together so they are touching and them and heat up the solder so they join.

3. Leave the solder to harden and the wires should be joined.

4. Cut a piece of 2:1 heatshrink (about 1 inch should be enough) and place it over the join and shrink it.

5. Do this for all three wires, offsetting the joins if you like so that you don't have them all bunched up in one place.

6. Optional: Put a longer piece of heatshrink over all three wires for additional support.

I'd strongly suggest getting one of these handy tools for holding the wires in place:

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Sj4Yw2LjZOI/AAAAAAAADyE/9hSza7cVY4c/s800/DSC00002.JPG

[Equinediver]

For those of us on the american side of the pond, where can you find a good crimper for molex/fan pins? I have been looking for a while and can't seem to find anything but that blue handled made in china deal.

I think there are 2 different 'blue' crimpers out there, the plain blue handled one and the blue and black one, I got the latter from PPC's.

I find it great, it doesn't come with any instructions, so it was a case of trial and error, but now I get perfect crimps every time :)

India, you want to try and find some really slim heatshrink to use when you are joining wires. I use 3/32", and stagger the joins, so that when you sleeve your wires you won't get bulges.

[dualbrain]

Equine :)
I got mails from people that also had the blue&black ones and they were no-good when it came to crimp-quality. Some seem to be good, some seem to be bad :D I guess it's all because of tolerances and you simply need luck. At least that is my conclusion from different people that bought the same crimpers from the same place. Some were bad, some were ok, some were good.

[India48]

Cheers Eponymous for that guide on soldering. Fortunately, I got in contact with a mate who knows how to solder, and for a 6 pack hes going to help me with my joins :D Anything else I should know regarding the solder itself? Any certain type I should get for doing the joins on fan wires??

[NaeKuh]

Probably the best way to join the wires is to solder them:

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dctFDUOxwRw/Sj4Yw2LjZOI/AAAAAAAADyE/9hSza7cVY4c/s800/DSC00002.JPG

You know what i always thought would be a good hit.

Something simular to that and a powerboost, only with 3 prongs for triple rads.
Something that was low profile, could be mounted hidden on the side of the rad, and would take the three fan prongs to plug on the side.

Then from that 1 unit, 1 prong would goto your fan controller.

[eponymous]

You know what i always thought would be a good hit.

Something simular to that and a powerboost, only with 3 prongs for triple rads.
Something that was low profile, could be mounted hidden on the side of the rad, and would take the three fan prongs to plug on the side.

Then from that 1 unit, 1 prong would goto your fan controller.

Sounds like a nice idea. Compact and with the advantage of PWM rather than a variable resistor.

That's just the fan controller from the LL P80.

The components are all ready rated for the current draw of four 140mm fans so it would take nothing to add in another PCB header.

[Gomnadz]

Cheers Eponymous for that guide on soldering. Fortunately, I got in contact with a mate who knows how to solder, and for a 6 pack hes going to help me with my joins :D Anything else I should know regarding the solder itself? Any certain type I should get for doing the joins on fan wires?

some 60/40 Rosin Core Solder for electronics should be fine, you can find it at Radio Shack, Home Depot, Lowes and places like that.

[Equinediver]

Equine :)
I got mails from people that also had the blue&black ones and they were no-good when it came to crimp-quality. Some seem to be good, some seem to be bad :D I guess it's all because of tolerances and you simply need luck. At least that is my conclusion from different people that bought the same crimpers from the same place. Some were bad, some were ok, some were good.

Are we about to see a MDPC perfection crimping tool? Guess from comments around here we need one :D

In all honesty I had a torrid time getting the better of the blue/black crimpers. Chris looked at them and said they were crap, I said well others use them with no problems, so he said you use them then!

There was alot of swearing, let alone a mass of broken ends.......a couple of jammed incidents and then suddenly perfect crimps started popping out :)

With your comments makes me wonder if the crimping heads aren't always aligned properly.

[Waterlogged]

I have 1 of the blue ones from FCPU and it's been fine since day one. The biggest problem I've ever come across is ATX pins with the one set of tabs that is way too long, especially for small gauge wire. For that, I just snip them down to match the shorter set of tabs and things work well after that.