Wiring Starlabs & CandCNC

[whiskeymike]

Thinking of rewiring my system as I’d like move the control box and the wires are too short. I’m going to be doing the Linux upgrade soon, so I figure it makes sense to do it all at once. A couple questions...

What wire should I buy? Do you know what a safe length is to purchase for a 4x8 table + 20%? Is there a coating, twisted pair, gauge, or other features I should be looking for? Also, has anyone done any upgrades to make disconnects easier? Some of my wires go into the box through holes, but holes aren’t big enough to pull wires with connectors on.

Thanks

[djreiswig]

I moved my control box to the end of my table for better access. I just looked at the printing to the original wire and bought some of the same type online. I put a small sealed junction box where the control box was and spliced the wires there.
As far as running the wires into the box, I just use the holes and cut the ends off if I need to move anything. It hasn't happened often, so I didn't bother with some sort of plug. You could probably find some phoenix connectors to mount to the case. Or you could just enlarge the holes.

[Ironken]

These guys are great to deal with and have been very willing to help me find the components I needed for a positioner build.

http://www.eskc.com/Default.asp

[djreiswig]

Here's what I used to extend the switches on my table. I got some off of ebay.
https://catalog.belden.com/techdata/EN/ ... chdata.pdf
My motor wires had extra coiled up so they were long enough.
I did buy some of this to extend the motor for my rotary chuck project.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/72387566403
The colors don't match exactly and the gauge was a little heavier, but it worked good.

[whiskeymike]

Thanks guys for the advice.

[BTA Plasma]

As long as you have the same gauge you should be able to go as long as 30 feet without any appreciable drop in power.

[ggeh]

I sent my control box in for the Linux upgrade. The control box was mounted under the side of my water table. When I got it back I mounted it on my top of my refrigerated dryer at chest height. No more bending over on my knees smacking my head on the bottom of the table with a flash light when I had to get in the box for what ever reason. As far as the holes in the box I cut the connectors off, pushed the wires through the existing holes and pressed new connectors on. My motor wires were plenty long enough so any other control wires I used cat 6 stranded. Travel limits switches I used some shielded 22 gauge stranded 2 conductor wire.