msean wrote:
Hmm, get some wire and solder the wires to the pins per the diagram? Then use an Ohm Meter to verify the connections pin to pin are functional.Hi, Are there any sources of instructions on the net for making your own cables? I have a pin diagram but don't know what you actually do to make the connections and cable. Thanks, Mike
Be prepared for a burnt fingertip or two the first time you solder. (DO NOT LICK YOUR FINGERS IF YOU BURN THEM.)
To solder a wire, get a soldering iron and plug it in. It will heat to some 700 degrees or so to melt solder. It will be HOT. It will heat other objects to that same temperature too so be warned when you hold a wire, it may get that hot too. Get some 'helping hands, forecepts, p liars or just something heavy on the wire so you don't have to hold onto it.
Take some wire and remove a small piece of the plastic sheathing or insulation to expose the metal wire within. Use wire strippers, it may take a bit of practice to not tear or cut the wire strands.
Take some flux and coat the metal wires, twist them together if they separate. Then touch the hot iron to it so the flux 'melts' and smokes a bit. The reaction of the flux melting will clean the wire as the flux is acidic. Next, grab the solder and apply the heat to the wire again, and touch the solder to the opposite side of the wire. The heat will melt and draw the solder around and coat the wire. (Solder flows towards the heat.)
This applying solder to the wire before connecting it is called tinning. You should only solder with tinned wire to make your life easier.
Apply a tiny smidge of flux to the pin where you want the solder to stick and touch the tinned wire and the pin together at that point. Heat the pin and allow the solder to adhere to the pin.
Now, wasn't that easy? Go wash your hands thoroughly and don't lick your fingers if you burn them, solder is made of lead and it is toxic. Clean up the area around where you solder as it will be contaminated from the lead as it tends to splatter when it's heated.
Now to make a cable: Slide a hood up the cable first. then open the sheathing to expose the multiple wires inside. Then strip the wires and tin them. Flux the pins you will be soldering. Figure out which wires will go to which pins and solder away. Slide the hood down and attach it to the pin header. Repeat at the other end.
Now take an ohm meter and test each pin at one end to the matching pin(s) at the other end. (I use a paper clip to test female pin headers.) The ohm meter should beep whenever a connection is made. Test the connections and test the other pins against it to make sure you didn't cross any wires or 'bridge' wires or solder joints. If it beeps when it's supposed to on every wire and does not beep when it is not supposed to, you've probably made a good cable, congratulations.
Good luck, Ed