Floppy/ultra flexible mains cable

[MotherSky]

Hi - does anyone know of a high quality extremely floppy/flexible 3 core mains cable? Classic Turntables has done a superb job of restoring my basket case Garrard 401, but he has wired it up with a surprisingly stiff mains cable - this probably wouldn't be an issue with a more "open plan" plinth, but I need a relatively short run to terminate at an IEC socket, and it will interfere with the motor suspension - I have in mind something like the Puritan stuff - any pointers greatly appreciated - MH

 

[JustinTime]

Hi - does anyone know of a high quality extremely floppy/flexible 3 core mains cable? Classic Turntables has done a superb job of restoring my basket case Garrard 401, but he has wired it up with a surprisingly stiff mains cable - this probably wouldn't be an issue with a more "open plan" plinth, but I need a relatively short run to terminate at an IEC socket, and it will interfere with the motor suspension - I have in mind something like the Puritan stuff - any pointers greatly appreciated - MH

I take it you mean something like the Puritan stuff but not the actual Puritan stuff and not at Puritan stuff prices. Watching for responses with interest!

 

[MotherSky]

I take it you mean something like the Puritan stuff but not the actual Puritan stuff and not at Puritan stuff prices. Watching for responses with interest!

Absolutely - I only need about a foot or so of unterminated cable - probably I'll have to buy at least 0.5M, but I'm not after anything boutique - I just mention the Puritan stuff as it has exactly the physical characteristics that I'm after

 

[esprit]

Hello
DH labs silver mains cable is quite flexible

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[robin]

Russ Andrews yello could fit the bill

 

[bencat]

Try the titanex flexible cable on eBay it is about £3 a metre and is very flexible and according to some on another site is very good quality and rubber encased .

 

[bencat]

Sorry I have never been able to work out how to cut and paste using an Amazon Tablet so have to do what I did above . Back on the PC now so here is the link and would say it looks to be exactly what you are looking for so as not to mess up the suspension .

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/18504167...gHgwxwgaHT/DXqoDS+cwkwAA==|tkp:BlBMUL72z63dYg

 

[MotherSky]

Sorry I have never been able to work out how to cut and paste using an Amazon Tablet so have to do what I did above . Back on the PC now so here is the link and would say it looks to be exactly what you are looking for so as not to mess up the suspension .

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185041678680?hash=item2b1557f158:g:lusAAOSwuudhOm9l&amdata=enc:AQAIAAAAwJ6oJXYwRttt9dhPePLBKTn1mgTOEijNFbUTk2snyR+4XeQsHybt9irXIhqtXiUQPdTnKMvNGuIm5gLa/7dxfdO2XeZ17AZUu/kNXrA2s4rj7803FUSX/tIBz+CV9Wl6QQGXeReRsXOs2DA4v3Gezi3XgP85fDNV5QYHUPHkPvtChWof41a9TVCZRzslDQ5oMK6WEYkRsRlhmam+y5nMhIhdmub/61Djcavwj81aa7gHgwxwgaHT/DXqoDS+cwkwAA==|tkp:BlBMUL72z63dYg

That looks very promising - I've ordered a bit on spec & will try it out - thanks BC

 

[WolvesWill]

Supra Lo-Rad is very flexible, in its 1.5mm form.

 

[bencat]

Sorry @DiggyGun but was there supposed to be a comment to your quote of my post ? On my PC this just seems like you have just added my post as a straight quote and nothing else .

 

[Mr Kandid]

That looks very promising - I've ordered a bit on spec & will try it out - thanks BC

That’s pretty thick cable with thick insulation.
I would suggest a rubber but no bigger than 1.5mm even that is pretty heavy duty.

 

[rabski]

Depending on how and where the tonearm wiring runs, inside a turntable is actually one place where a screened mains cable may have a benefit. As others have noted, you don't need more than 1.5mm for the load, and that will help. The Supra stuff is good. I don't know how flexible the 1.5mm is, mind you, but I've got some of the thicker stuff here and it's quite stiff.

As a thought, you could always give MCRU a call and ask them. They stock a seriously large range of wire off the reel and generally know their stuff.

 

[Beobloke]

1.5mm sq. mains cable has a current rating of anywhere between 10 and 16A and a Garrard 401 motor is rated at 12W which means it will be pulling a dizzying 0.05A from a 240V mains supply!

I would suggest that the easiest way to find a more flexible cable would be to pick a thinner one! 0.75mm sq. is rated at 6A and would be absolutely fine.

 

[WolvesWill]

Depending on how and where the tonearm wiring runs, inside a turntable is actually one place where a screened mains cable may have a benefit. As others have noted, you don't need more than 1.5mm for the load, and that will help. The Supra stuff is good. I don't know how flexible the 1.5mm is, mind you, but I've got some of the thicker stuff here and it's quite stiff.

As a thought, you could always give MCRU a call and ask them. They stock a seriously large range of wire off the reel and generally know their stuff.

I have both 2.5mm and 1.5mm Supra cable knocking about here, and you are right in that the 2.5mm stuff is pretty stiff and inflexible. The 1.5mm cable I have is much less so, however, hence the specific recommendation

 

[DiggyGun]

Sorry @DiggyGun but was there supposed to be a comment to your quote of my post ? On my PC this just seems like you have just added my post as a straight quote and nothing else .

Sorry, no. Must have pressed a wrong button.

DG…

 

[vintageaxeman]

I used silicone covered test lead cable, some red, some black and some green, which is multi-stranded copper with a silicone insulation. Because it is normally for testing voltages, the one I chose was rated up to 600v. It is very flexible. I used an expandable sheath on the main length, secured with heat shrink tubing at both ends. But between my 301's cable clamp and the deck's terminals, there is no sheathing, just the 3 cables looped. It works really well.

 

[JustinTime]

I used silicone covered test lead cable, some red, some black and some green, which is multi-stranded copper with a silicone insulation. Because it is normally for testing voltages, the one I chose was rated up to 600v. It is very flexible. I used an expandable sheath on the main length, secured with heat shrink tubing at both ends. But between my 301's cable clamp and the deck's terminals, there is no sheathing, just the 3 cables looped. It works really well.

Do you have a link to where you bought this please?

 

[vintageaxeman]

I bought the 14 awg cable, in a 2m length of the 3 colours that were closest to normal mains wiring colours. Here is the link: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/264413293068?var=564054342983

 

[JustinTime]

I bought the 14 awg cable, in a 2m length of the 3 colours that were closest to normal mains wiring colours. Here is the link: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/264413293068?var=564054342983

Thanks for this. I can't see where it says it is copper (I can see it is multi-stranded!); where should I be looking?

 

[glenhb]

One of the most flexible cables is the braided cable used for domestic irons.
Seeing as domestic irons are basically heating elements that use a high current to produce heat, I can't see any reason why a short length of that type of cable would not be suitable for your needs.