Difficulty inserting multi-strand wire into holes in HTIB

My house is pre-wired for 5.1 surround sound with what seems to be
good quality multi-strand wires.

My "home theater in a box" receives these wires at the back of the sub-
woofer into small holes with some clip-like plastic things. (I am sure
you have seen them on most of the audio equipment especially where AM/
FM antennae wires go into.)

Last time when I put everything together it took me hours to put these
wires into those holes because they just don't go in well. I had to
dismantle everything last week as we were getting some work done on
the house. Now, I am struggling to reconnect everything. Just when I
think I did put the wires in and flip the clip, they come out with a
mild pull. And there is this annoying fibre (probably from the
sheathing) that comes in the way. Cutting the wires is not an option
as there isn't much length of wire left.

What do you all do in this situation? (I couldn't find much on the
Internet - probably I am not using the correct key words.)

Thanks for you time and help.

wrote in message
...
My house is pre-wired for 5.1 surround sound with what seems to be
good quality multi-strand wires.

My "home theater in a box" receives these wires at the back of the sub-
woofer into small holes with some clip-like plastic things. (I am sure
you have seen them on most of the audio equipment especially where AM/
FM antennae wires go into.)

Last time when I put everything together it took me hours to put these
wires into those holes because they just don't go in well. I had to
dismantle everything last week as we were getting some work done on
the house. Now, I am struggling to reconnect everything. Just when I
think I did put the wires in and flip the clip, they come out with a
mild pull. And there is this annoying fibre (probably from the
sheathing) that comes in the way. Cutting the wires is not an option
as there isn't much length of wire left.

What do you all do in this situation? (I couldn't find much on the
Internet - probably I am not using the correct key words.)

Thanks for you time and help.

Well, if the wire that's in the house walls is not a good fit for the
speaker connectors, and it's on the short side to allow you much access
anyway, if it were me, I would extend the wires using choc block (barrier
strip) or similar, and make the new tails from a more 'appropriate' type of
speaker cable, that did fit the connectors ok. If you Google "choc block" in
the 'Images' tab, the very first picture is a good one, in case you're not
sure what type of connector that I'm referring to.

If you do extend the wires, make sure that you preserve any polarity
markings - such as a stripe down one wire, or one wire having a gold core,
whilst the other is silver - as it is important when connecting the
speakers, that the phasing of the speakers between channels is got right,
otherwise, the stereo (surround) image will be woolly and poorly defined,
and lacking in main-channel bass. The phasing of the sub with respect to the
other channels, is relatively unimportant.

Arfa

On Jan 28, 10:46*am, wrote:
My house is pre-wired for 5.1 surround sound with what seems to be
good quality multi-strand wires.

My "home theater in a box" receives these wires at the back of the sub-
woofer into small holes with some clip-like plastic things. (I am sure
you have seen them on most of the audio equipment especially where AM/
FM antennae wires go into.)

Last time when I put everything together it took me hours to put these
wires into those holes because they just don't go in well. I had to
dismantle everything last week as we were getting some work done on
the house. Now, I am struggling to reconnect everything. Just when I
think I did put the wires in and flip the clip, they come out with a
mild pull. And there is this annoying fibre (probably from the
sheathing) that comes in the way. Cutting the wires is not an option
as there isn't much length of wire left.

What do you all do in this situation? (I couldn't find much on the
Internet - probably I am not using the correct key words.)

Thanks for you time and help.

If you have the available diameter, try tinning the ends of the leads.
The lumpiness will increase the 'grab' of the clip as well as manage
the loose strands. There are also crimp-on connectors to do the trick,
but more of a PITA to install.

Peter Wieck
Wyncote, PA

On Mon, 28 Jan 2008 07:46:30 -0800 (PST), wrote:

My house is pre-wired for 5.1 surround sound with what seems to be
good quality multi-strand wires.

My "home theater in a box" receives these wires at the back of the sub-
woofer into small holes with some clip-like plastic things. (I am sure
you have seen them on most of the audio equipment especially where AM/
FM antennae wires go into.)

Last time when I put everything together it took me hours to put these
wires into those holes because they just don't go in well. I had to
dismantle everything last week as we were getting some work done on
the house. Now, I am struggling to reconnect everything. Just when I
think I did put the wires in and flip the clip, they come out with a
mild pull. And there is this annoying fibre (probably from the
sheathing) that comes in the way. Cutting the wires is not an option
as there isn't much length of wire left.

What do you all do in this situation? (I couldn't find much on the
Internet - probably I am not using the correct key words.)

Thanks for you time and help.

Here's a novel idea: buy some wire and replace it - or get some
inline crimp splices from the auto parts section of a store and use it
to add terminal wires.

There is a connector made for the purpose - looks like a test lead
end. I use binding posts on the amp and terminate the wire in a
copper nail (sold in a hardware store as marine rivets). I cut the
heads off, solder the stranded wire to the nail, and add some
heatshrink to it.

If you were to use an ordinary tin plated wire brad or finishing nail
it would probably be OK unless you have a killer stereo and golden
ears.
--

On Mon, 28 Jan 2008 07:46:30 -0800 (PST), wrote:

:My house is pre-wired for 5.1 surround sound with what seems to be
:good quality multi-strand wires.
:
:My "home theater in a box" receives these wires at the back of the sub-
:woofer into small holes with some clip-like plastic things. (I am sure
:you have seen them on most of the audio equipment especially where AM/
:FM antennae wires go into.)
:
:Last time when I put everything together it took me hours to put these
:wires into those holes because they just don't go in well. I had to
:dismantle everything last week as we were getting some work done on
:the house. Now, I am struggling to reconnect everything. Just when I
:think I did put the wires in and flip the clip, they come out with a
:mild pull. And there is this annoying fibre (probably from the
:sheathing) that comes in the way. Cutting the wires is not an option
:as there isn't much length of wire left.
:
:What do you all do in this situation? (I couldn't find much on the
:Internet - probably I am not using the correct key words.)
:
:Thanks for you time and help.


What you probably need are wire-end or bootlace ferrules
http://www.specialtycontrol.com/Prod...ules/index.cfm

You will need a crimping tool to make a good quality crimp so that the pin will
fit into the connector but some people get by with other methods.

Ross Herbert wrote:

On Mon, 28 Jan 2008 07:46:30 -0800 (PST), wrote:

:My house is pre-wired for 5.1 surround sound with what seems to be
:good quality multi-strand wires.
:
:My "home theater in a box" receives these wires at the back of the sub-
:woofer into small holes with some clip-like plastic things. (I am sure
:you have seen them on most of the audio equipment especially where AM/
:FM antennae wires go into.)
:
:Last time when I put everything together it took me hours to put these
:wires into those holes because they just don't go in well. I had to
:dismantle everything last week as we were getting some work done on
:the house. Now, I am struggling to reconnect everything. Just when I
:think I did put the wires in and flip the clip, they come out with a
:mild pull. And there is this annoying fibre (probably from the
:sheathing) that comes in the way. Cutting the wires is not an option
:as there isn't much length of wire left.
:
:What do you all do in this situation? (I couldn't find much on the
:Internet - probably I am not using the correct key words.)
:
:Thanks for you time and help.


What you probably need are wire-end or bootlace ferrules
http://www.specialtycontrol.com/Prod...ules/index.cfm

You will need a crimping tool to make a good quality crimp so that the pin will
fit into the connector but some people get by with other methods.

Still got short wires though.

Personally I'd mount a nice (but not audiophool) set of binding posts on
a blank electrical faceplate, trim the frayed ends off the wires,
connect them permanently to the back of the faceplate. Wall mount it and
then use off the reel speaker cable to complete the hookup.

I wouldn't trust the clips on the speakers to handle bootlace ferrules,
they rely on the wire being soft enough to give as you flick the clip.

Dressing the end neatly, twisting it together smoothly and soldering the
tip so it doesnt untwist (last 1/16" ONLY) is what I always used to do
for our shop customers and noone ever came back with a complaint.

--
Ian Malcolm. London, ENGLAND. (NEWSGROUP REPLY PREFERRED)
ianm[at]the[dash]malcolms[dot]freeserve[dot]co[dot]uk
[at][email protected], [dash]=- & [dot]=. *Warning* HTML & 32K emails -- NUL:

wrote:

My house is pre-wired for 5.1 surround sound with what seems to be
good quality multi-strand wires.

My "home theater in a box" receives these wires at the back of the
sub- woofer into small holes with some clip-like plastic things. (I am
sure you have seen them on most of the audio equipment especially
where AM/ FM antennae wires go into.)

Last time when I put everything together it took me hours to put these
wires into those holes because they just don't go in well. I had to
dismantle everything last week as we were getting some work done on
the house. Now, I am struggling to reconnect everything. Just when I
think I did put the wires in and flip the clip, they come out with a
mild pull. And there is this annoying fibre (probably from the
sheathing) that comes in the way. Cutting the wires is not an option
as there isn't much length of wire left.

What do you all do in this situation? (I couldn't find much on the
Internet - probably I am not using the correct key words.)

Thanks for you time and help.
Use hollow pin spills. Its just a hollow tube with a plastic guide bit
on one end. Slip in the wire, nip with pliers. You can get these from
most supply houses.
--
Regards:
Baron.

Ross Herbert wrote:

On Mon, 28 Jan 2008 07:46:30 -0800 (PST), wrote:

:My house is pre-wired for 5.1 surround sound with what seems to be
:good quality multi-strand wires.
:
:My "home theater in a box" receives these wires at the back of the
:sub- woofer into small holes with some clip-like plastic things. (I
:am sure you have seen them on most of the audio equipment especially
:where AM/ FM antennae wires go into.)
:
:Last time when I put everything together it took me hours to put
:these wires into those holes because they just don't go in well. I
:had to dismantle everything last week as we were getting some work
:done on the house. Now, I am struggling to reconnect everything. Just
:when I think I did put the wires in and flip the clip, they come out
:with a mild pull. And there is this annoying fibre (probably from the
:sheathing) that comes in the way. Cutting the wires is not an option
:as there isn't much length of wire left.
:
:What do you all do in this situation? (I couldn't find much on the
:Internet - probably I am not using the correct key words.)
:
:Thanks for you time and help.


What you probably need are wire-end or bootlace ferrules
http://www.specialtycontrol.com/Prod...ules/index.cfm

Those are the things that I mentioned.... Just couldn't remember the
name for then.

You will need a crimping tool to make a good quality crimp so that the
pin will fit into the connector but some people get by with other
methods.

--
Regards:
Baron.

"Baron" wrote in message
...
wrote:

My house is pre-wired for 5.1 surround sound with what seems to be
good quality multi-strand wires.

My "home theater in a box" receives these wires at the back of the
sub- woofer into small holes with some clip-like plastic things. (I am
sure you have seen them on most of the audio equipment especially
where AM/ FM antennae wires go into.)

Last time when I put everything together it took me hours to put these
wires into those holes because they just don't go in well. I had to
dismantle everything last week as we were getting some work done on
the house. Now, I am struggling to reconnect everything. Just when I
think I did put the wires in and flip the clip, they come out with a
mild pull. And there is this annoying fibre (probably from the
sheathing) that comes in the way. Cutting the wires is not an option
as there isn't much length of wire left.

What do you all do in this situation? (I couldn't find much on the
Internet - probably I am not using the correct key words.)

Thanks for you time and help.
Use hollow pin spills. Its just a hollow tube with a plastic guide bit
on one end. Slip in the wire, nip with pliers. You can get these from
most supply houses.
--
Regards:
Baron.

If the connectors on the back of the OP's home cinema system are of the
'press down to retain' rather than the spring loaded variety, then I would
strongly advise against using any type of rigid end on the cable. As someone
else commented in this thread, the 'press down' type are intended to grip on
the wire as a result of it being soft, such that the terminal knife edge can
bite in. The knife edge has very little 'give' - just enough to provide some
spring tension to its action - so if something like a bootlace ferrule is
put in the hole, rather than a soft multistrand wire, when you try to close
the plastic latch, it puts it under extreme strain, and the little 'pips'
that form its hinge pivots, break out of their holes. Sometimes, the latch
can be clipped back in, but often, either the pips or the holes are damaged,
and the connector is then ruined. I have seen these connectors broken in
this way on many pieces of kit that have passed through my workshop over the
years. The spring loaded connector type that looks very similar, is ok with
a solid end to the wire, but bear in mind that again, this type of connector
relies on a knife edge biting into the soft wire, to get a good connection.
With a solid circular end on the wire, the point of contact to the connector
blade will be singular, and infinitesimally small in area, which is not
exactly what is required with speaker connections ...

Arfa

Thank you all for your suggestions and insights. I bought the
following terminal strip.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...entPage=search

I don't do much electrical / electronics work so I don't have the
necessary tools such as soldering iron and crimping tool. (Obviously,
I don't want to buy them as there is no future need.)

I will try to put everything together tonight or over the few days
(want to involve our 9-year old). I will feedback only if I encounter
some hurdles. Otherwise, you may assume things went well.

Thanks again for your time.