Flat Ribbon Cable

[tazelikechickn]

Hey Guys,
I am repairing a Panasonic SA-HE70 Amp and after carrying out the repair, have also found a damaged ribbon cable going to the front panel.
It is identified as a AWM 2896, has 18 pins, I believe it is 1mm pitch and is 300mm long, but has no voltage rating on it. 80C VW-1 are the only other details on the cable, and I assume the 80C is a temperature rating. It folds over at the end quite severely and that is where it is broken.
I am struggling to find a suitable cable, but have found a 20624 cable that has the same pitch etc. and looks correct.
Can anyone tell me the differences between the cable numbers and are they interchangeable?

[tautech]

I have in the past used an old PC IDE cable for replacement ribbon, fine for oneself but a bit rough & ready for a customer.

[tazelikechickn]

Thanks, I will look into that - it's only for my son-in-law!

[nanofrog]

Thanks, I will look into that - it's only for my son-in-law!

Meh, too neat and easy. 

Perhaps an electrified Rube Goldberg type of solution from whatever's in your junk box might make things more interesting.   

[tazelikechickn]

Errr - thanks for your help???

[nanofrog]

Errr - thanks for your help???

Sorry, just tried to add additional humor (had the impression you were open to humor by the way you mentioned your SIL). 

As per wire, you might want to take a look at HF18S-10-ND (Halogen Free 625 series made by 3M, 18 conductor, 28AWG, 300V, 105C, 1mm pitch flat cable; $35.76 for a 10m roll). Datasheet.

[tazelikechickn]

Thanks for that. I only need 300mm of the stuff. It is also, I believe Mylor encased ribbon, just one flat ribbon, not individual wires joined into a ribbon. Some call it membrane cable.
I just tried to shorten the damaged one as it was only broken at the end, but no success.
PS I do have a sense of humour - unless you ask my wife!
I just couldn't understand what you were on about - I have a tiny brain!
Good to hear someone still has humour 
Thanks for your suggestions - I'll have to keep looking......

[nanofrog]

Thanks for that. I only need 300mm of the stuff. It is also, I believe Mylor encased ribbon, just one flat ribbon, not individual wires joined into a ribbon. Some call it membrane cable.
I just tried to shorten the damaged one as it was only broken at the end, but no success.
PS I do have a sense of humour - unless you ask my wife!
I just couldn't understand what you were on about - I have a tiny brain!
Good to hear someone still has humour 
Thanks for your suggestions - I'll have to keep looking......

I get the length issue, as you get stuck buying entire rolls from normal sources. Remnants are a great way to get stuff in small amounts at good prices (eBay, component brokers, and small electronics stores sometimes sell by the foot or short lengths <Jameco and Skycraft as examples>), but availability tends to be very unpredictable. A "grab anything you can that's interesting/useful when you see it" sort of thing IMHO.

Based on your description, is it a flex PCB jumper cable? 
FWIW, here's Molex's main page for Premo-Flex FFC for example, and specifically 1.0mm pitch, 18 circuits, 310mm length (here; difference is the connector locations of both on same side or opposite sides).

Mouser carries these for example, but the MOQ is 620 @ $1.06 each. As bad, if not worse, than buying bulk wire by the roll IMHO in situations like this.

Fortunately, you should be able to have one made from a PCB house that does flex circuits as well (just need the correct specifications, assuming this is what's being used). They can include any connector ends attached if it uses them (connectors soldered to the hard PCB's instead = easier; just slip the ends into the connectors, and snap closed).

A pic of what you have could really help. 

[tazelikechickn]

Thanks Nanofrog,

There was some excellent detail there. I have sent an Email to RS online, who I normally deal with. They are a distributor of Molex, so hopefully I can get what I need. I have located the correct one on the site, so we'll see what happens.

Just frustrating seeing this amp sitting there mocking me - I just need a simple cable to fit to finish it off!

Thanks again for your help, useful comments and sense of humour.

[nanofrog]

Thanks Nanofrog,

There was some excellent detail there. I have sent an Email to RS online, who I normally deal with. They are a distributor of Molex, so hopefully I can get what I need. I have located the correct one on the site, so we'll see what happens.

Just frustrating seeing this amp sitting there mocking me - I just need a simple cable to fit to finish it off!

Thanks again for your help, useful comments and sense of humour.

You're quite welcome.  Even if they can only sell you an entire case (MOQ of 620 pieces), getting one made will be easier by showing a flex PCB house the cable you need them to make IMHO, should it come to that. 

Situations such as these are really helped with a photo or two of the part to be replaced/repaired IMHO, as it gets the right solution so much faster (or viable alternative). But at least it's been discovered, and I'm confident is solvable without spending a fortune on it. Just so many potential solutions to narrow through when using strictly text (surprised it didn't take any longer, due to the variations).

BTW, if you go under your user profile and set your country, it will make it a lot easier for others to post relevant links (particularly regarding pricing and availability).  Even now knowing you're looking to RS as a source, I could still make an error (assume you're in the UK, when you may actually reside in NZ for example).

[tazelikechickn]

Good call Nanofrog,

I have set my place of origin. BTW I am an Aussie!

After ringing & Emailing everyone I could think of and what others could think of, I went to our recycling depot here and after dumpster diving thru an entire skip-bin, was able to find a cable from a printer that should do the trick. Even tho it is a 24 pin and 350mm, I have cut it do that it is only 18 pin and it should have plenty of length in it.

So I've just thought out side of the box - hopefully it pays off

[nanofrog]

After ringing & Emailing everyone I could think of and what others could think of, I went to our recycling depot here and after dumpster diving thru an entire skip-bin, was able to find a cable from a printer that should do the trick. Even tho it is a 24 pin and 350mm, I have cut it do that it is only 18 pin and it should have plenty of length in it.

So I've just thought out side of the box - hopefully it pays off

Nice thinking, and I hope it works. Would be brilliant if it does. 

Assuming it's too long to simply fold out of the way (must be shortened to use it), I'm not sure of the best way to expose the copper foil after trimming the length.  Hopefully a DIY how-to can be found somewhere, as I'd be worried of making it useless in the process of trying to adapt it (i.e. X-Acto knife butchery).

[tazelikechickn]

I have been able to cut out the extra connectors. I have just left the length original as last time I tried to remove the plastic, I damaged the terminals. Seems to work fine.

Thanks again for your help - it's good just to have someone to bounce ideas off.

Cheers

[nanofrog]

I have been able to cut out the extra connectors. I have just left the length original as last time I tried to remove the plastic, I damaged the terminals. Seems to work fine.

Thanks again for your help - it's good just to have someone to bounce ideas off.

You're welcome, and I'm glad you got it fixed.   

One less item tossed in the bin that wasn't absolutely necessary. 

[tazelikechickn]

The ribbon cable worked perfectly, but the amp still has some other issues that I am working thru - lots of dry solder joints.

While I was at the recycling depot scabbing thru the skip bin, I picked out a Panasonic DMR-XW380 DVD recorder. I thought it would be a good exercise to see if I could get it working, since I have another one at home. I set it up with our TV and our remote and low and behold - it works absolutely perfectly! Amazing what people throw out.

Score - I've got myself a spare!

Cheers

[nanofrog]

The ribbon cable worked perfectly, but the amp still has some other issues that I am working thru - lots of dry solder joints.

While I was at the recycling depot scabbing thru the skip bin, I picked out a Panasonic DMR-XW380 DVD recorder. I thought it would be a good exercise to see if I could get it working, since I have another one at home. I set it up with our TV and our remote and low and behold - it works absolutely perfectly! Amazing what people throw out.

Score - I've got myself a spare!

Cheers

Hopefully you'll get it sorted in the end. 

And a big "YOU SUCK" on your dumpster dive.   

Just finished shifting an automotive stereo (moved it from one vehicle to another). No diagnosis or repair, but there's the "It's finished" satisfaction.  Only cut/tore up my hands 4 different places this time.  Oh, zero left-over screws, and I only broke one corner off of an interior trim panel, which I glued back together. 

[tazelikechickn]

Spare screws are recyclable! They are to be used when you can't find screws on another job!

It's the circle of life....

Glad your stereo change over when well.

If you are jealous on my dumpster dive. I won't tell you about the heater that I picked up off the side of the road (yes it was something someone was throwing out - I didn't steal it from an old defenceless old granny!) Someone had just cut the plug off it. It is now repaired and used daily in my office.

Or the other time when I was looking for cardboard in another skip bin at a shop (I asked permission) They had thrown out a brand new heater in it's original box, with manual and a warranty sticker on it saying it was unrepairable............guess what? It was repairable and now used in our bedroom. What's with all the heater stories? Yes we live in a cold area of Australia!

Anyway, back to the amp. I'm still trying to find a schematic for it. I think it's lost its smoke somewhere and I am having a hard time trying to figure out where!

[nanofrog]

Spare screws are recyclable! They are to be used when you can't find screws on another job!

Of course. I've even torn things apart just to scavenge screws, if nothing else was useful.

Glad your stereo change over when well.

Thank you.  Will make driving on longer trips more pleasant now (iPod to avoid radio commercials and station loss from exceeding broadcast reception).

If you are jealous on my dumpster dive. I won't tell you about the heater that I picked up off the side of the road (yes it was something someone was throwing out - I didn't steal it from an old defenceless old granny!) Someone had just cut the plug off it. It is now repaired and used daily in my office.

Or the other time when I was looking for cardboard in another skip bin at a shop (I asked permission) They had thrown out a brand new heater in it's original box, with manual and a warranty sticker on it saying it was unrepairable............guess what? It was repairable and now used in our bedroom. What's with all the heater stories? Yes we live in a cold area of Australia!

Not at all.  Just a way to say congratulations on such a great deal (maybe a US/CAN thing, but was under the impression it's the same in the UK, Oz, and NZ).   

FWIW, the main rule is it must come from someone else. You cannot "You Suck" yourself (might be able to get away with a "How did I do" though).  Story must include the item, what you paid (if anything), if you had to repair it or not, and ideally, pictures. BTW, If you're into tools, check out the Garage Journal Forum. Great place (YOU Suck Rule thread).

Anyway, back to the amp. I'm still trying to find a schematic for it. I think it's lost its smoke somewhere and I am having a hard time trying to figure out where!

Can't find them either (manual is no problem of course  ).    Perhaps ask Panasonic if they will provide them for you? 

Couple of sites with popular audio product schematics (might be of use in the future if you come across one/want to build one of your own):
DIYAudio Projects
Discover Circuits, Audio Circuits Main Page