Customizing cables and making my own extension cables. Please help?

I'm making 3 pin fan extension cables and putting my own pins and connectors on fans that I'm getting from online electronic supply outlets. I know what molex pins and connectors to get, but that's it.

If someone knows where I can get a black multi-conductor cable, containing stranded red, black, and yellow in what ever gauge it is I need for PC fans, then the next two paragraphs can be completely ignored!

For the wire, I don't know what to get or where to get it. I'm guessing its copper 24 gauge stranded (in black, yellow, and red of course) right? Problem is I get spammed to hell if I search for that. The most powerful fan I'll be using is a 12 watt Delta. Normally it will be tamed down a bit. So if 24 gauge isn't enough, please let me know.... not that I know what I'm getting.

I'm also going to cover the entire length of the cables with heatshrink since its more functional and easier to hide than sleeving (which I don't even like). I'd like to order it by the foot or a small spool of it, but I'm not sure what size I need. Once I order it, that's it. I'm stuck with it or I have to pay for shipping if I get the wrong thing, most likely. So please I need someone to verify I'm getting the right thing.

I'm thinking of getting this: http://www.qualtekusa.com/Catalog/Sh...-PDF/Q2F3X.pdf
The size I'm looking at is 1/4" (0.6mm), 3 to 1 shrinkage (I'm guessing that means (1/3 original size???), Polyolefin, and its listed as "tubing, flexible". I *think* that's the right one.

If I could find some fabric heat shrink that doesn't cost a lot more than standard black heatshink, I'd love to use that! I can't find it though. Anyone ever seen it for sale online? That stuff is nice!


These are the parts I've selected... though I haven't chosen where I'm buying them yet. I'll look for the best prices when I sort it out.

Connectx™ Female 3-Pin Fan Housing Black
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...oducts_id=1167

Molex 08-52-0123 CONN TERM FEMALE 22-30AWG TIN
http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...0123/WM2758-ND

FrozenCPU 3-pin Male Shielded Fan Connector - Black
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/12...l=g51c389s1348

FrozenCPU ConnectRight 3-Pin Male Shielded Fan Connector Pins - Set of 3
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/12..._Set_of_3.html

Qualtek Polyolefin Black Heatshrink Tubing, Flexible, 1/4" (6.4mm), 3 to 1 Shrinkage Ratio
http://www.qualtekusa.com/Catalog/Sh...-PDF/Q2F3X.pdf

Also I'd like to get a proper molex crimper, but I haven't quite narrowed down what to get. I'd like to buy a crimper that works with all pins related to PCs, including series 8981 power connectors, series KK 2695 3-pin fan connectors, ATX, and SATA. I hope there's a crimper that does all that, I'd rather not be buying multiple crimpers. :(

Also, I don't suppose anyone knows where to get black 3-pin male shielded fan connectors a little more fairly priced? Or even better, a bag of them? This is all I could find:

FrozenCPU 3-pin Male Shielded Fan Connector - Black
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/12...l=g51c389s1348

I have a couple concerns though. How much does heatshrink, shrink vertically along the length of the cord? And is it effected by its shrinkage rating, as in 2 to 1 and 3 to 1. Will that mean that I need 3 times the length of the wire, and slowly go from one end of the wire to the other, so it doesn't end up coiling up the wire?

I think these might be the right wires. They're nearly exactly what comes already on the fans I'm ordering. Only difference I think is that they're tinned copper, instead of bare copper. Is this the right stuff?

25' Black 24AWG Stranded Tinned Copper Wire UL Style 1007
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/produc...0-25-/24-10410

25' Red 24AWG Stranded Tinned Copper Wire UL Style 1007
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/produc...2-25-/24-10412

25' Yellow 24AWG Stranded Tinned Copper Wire UL Style 1007
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/produc...4-25-/24-10414

24awg is sufficient for fans. The molex crimper will be able to crimp all of those types of pins. I highly suggest the MDPC-X black handled crimper. It is a bit more expensive but the crimp quality is significantly better. The blue handled one I bought from PPCS is so sloppy in comparison.

Heatshrink does not shrink vertically.

Thanks, I'm looking into that tool, but I've got some concerns. It's nearly double what the other ones cost (nearly $40)... and my budget is already being squeezed nearly as tight as it can go. Plus they gotta ship it all the way from Germany to the US, which I'm guessing costs an arm and a leg. I want a good crimp without overlapping, but I don't want the cost of that cutting into my build. Are there any other options for a good molex crimper?

I just made a discovery. I'm supposed to use pins and terminals that have a longer second set of wings, so they grab onto the wire, since the short ones can actually break off. Anyone know the model numbers of these? I need them for the mini 3-pin molex fan connectors, not the large ones.

What about Molex? Anyone know how well their crimpers work? They make their own crimpers as well. You'd think they'd be designed to work well with their products.....

How about linking to the product you are looking at so what I know you are referring to.


http://lutro0-customs.com/products/lc-ratchet-crimper $50 but it comes w/ 100 crimps. Either this one (and only from Lutro0) or the MDPC-X ones. I myself bought a pair from Performance PCs first because I didn't want to spend too much. Ended up regretting it and ordered the ones from MDPC-X shortly afterward. I could even take a pic for you to show just how bad they crimp compared to the MDPC-X.

If you go w/ cheaper crimpers the crimp won't hold on the wire. There is a very good chance you could pull the wire right off the connector down the road at some point.