Repair broken part breakaway cable

E

eliomys

Member
Hi everybody,

I have this breakaway cable that was very badly treated in an accident with one of the crew members. Sadly one of the plastic parts that prevents the pigtail on one end of the cable from splitting any further, got cracked. Problem is that I don't know what it's called, so I can't find it on the internet to order a new one. To show you what part I'm talking about I provided a picture I found on the site of trewaudio. On this picture it's the yellow part around the cable.

Does somebody know the name of it? Or can anybody tell me were I can order one? I would be very greatfull, so I can repair my trustworthy compagnon. Thanks

remcabetac5.jpg
 
you are probably going to have to call trew to get that part and explain to them what it is. they do a lot of custom cable stuff so i'm sure they would have that in stock. but if its just cracked then maybe doctor it up with some JB weld and then repaint it, or hell just wrap it with tape. on my breakaway cable its just taped right there where it splits, no plastic piece. but my cable is older so that could be why.
 
I typically use 2-3 layers of heat-shrink tubing in that spot where the individual cables emerge from the overall sheath. You could possibly repair it by putting a couple layers of heat-shrink tubing over the cracked piece.

I typically shrink tubing with a candle because it gives more precise control for small pieces. But for something that big, a larger open flame (like a gas burner on a stove) or a hot hair dryer might work, too.

It looks like that piece is "re-purposed" from some other use. There aren't really commercial products made for that precise application, so it seems unlikely that you could find it with a typical search.
 
Realize whatever you use (heat shrink, same part) you're going to have to
unsolder the ends to be able to slip it on.
Obviously do the XLR ends, as the 8 pin neutricon is just about the hardest connector
out there to solder.

You might want to repair if possible, or use a method that doesnt require
the above.
 
Rippie said:
Realize whatever you use (heat shrink, same part) you're going to have to unsolder the ends to be able to slip it on.
Click to expand...

Indeed, if it has a Lemo-like multi-pin connector don't attempt to remove/replace it unless you are VERY good at soldering very small pieces. However, if the sizes are similar to the cable in your example photo, you could find heat shrink tubing that slips over the multi-pin and still shrinks down enough to keep the split ferrule together.
 
Richard Crowley said:
However, if the sizes are similar to the cable in your example photo, you could find heat shrink tubing that slips over the multi-pin and still shrinks down enough to keep the split ferrule together.
Click to expand...
Doubtful you're going to find a piece of heat shrink that is so large to fit
over the neutricon yet has a ratio that will make it shrink all the way down to the cable size.
As I'm sure you know, heat shrink only shricks down a certain percentage
from the original size.
 
Rippie said:
Doubtful you're going to find a piece of heat shrink that is so large to fit
over the neutricon yet has a ratio that will make it shrink all the way down to the cable size.
As I'm sure you know, heat shrink only shricks down a certain percentage
from the original size.
Click to expand...

Of course. But the photo shows a yellow ferrule of diameter almost the size of the XLR connector. I was assuming that the OP posted a photo similar to his own cable.
 
Richard Crowley said:
It looks like that piece is "re-purposed" from some other use. There aren't really commercial products made for that precise application, so it seems unlikely that you could find it with a typical search.
Click to expand...

I think you were right about this Richard. When I had a closer look, it occurred to me that it was a part that wasn't specifically made fot this purpose. A bit later I found this picture below that actually proves that it's a cap/strain relief of a female 3.5mm jack.

286970.jpg


Unless somebody knows this type (brand) of jack or where I might find it, I could try to fix it with heat-shrink tubing. At least if you guys think it's strong enough and long lasting.

Rippie, you might be right about finding a piece of heat-shrink that has a large enough ratio to fit both diameters, so in that case I will remove the cracked ferrule.

Thanks guys for all the good advice. I really appreciate it.
 
UPDATE:

I found the part I was looking for. It is called a strain relief boot or a connector boot. It's usually used on pro BNC cables, but it suits other types as well. You can find it as the 'TecNec RG59 Cable Boot' or 'Canare Connector Boot CB04'. The picture in my previous post proves it's versatile as it was used to cover a stereo mini jack.

Hope some of you mind find use for it. :thumbsup:
 
Great! Thanks for sharing! I was sourcing out for the various parts to make my own breakaway cable. Your information on the Canare parts definitely made my life easier! Thanks!!!
 
I got my 25' break away from Blake Wilcox, who custom makes them for a bit cheaper/better than the big companies. My 25' was 200.00, and he can make reasonably priced extensions of any length. You even get your name put on your cable to maybe save the day if it ends up in the wrong bag. It also has an extra head phone input at the camera end for the camera op to hear with.

$199.95 for 25 foot with camera end breakaway ..built with mogami super flexable cable ...extentions up to 100 ft. avalable ...$16.95 s/h

Email him with your questions: fredfstone60@hotmail.com

WWW.WILCOXSOUND.COM
 
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