One of the essential elements for PC modding are the sleeving cables of the power supply , since in addition to providing better protection than the cables that come standard, they give the equipment a much more personalized , organized and clean appearance . Today we are going to show you how you can make your own sleeving cables for the power supply, so that you have exactly the look you want, and of course tailored for your needs.
Keep in mind that when manufacturing sleeving cables we have two options: one is to replace the modular cables that come by default in the power supply, in which case we will need the exact connectors used by the power supply. The other option is to make extension cables , so that we will connect the cables that come standard to them, but the ones that will be seen will be the sleeving ones. This is the most common as it uses standard connectors and is simpler, but keep in mind that it will add length to the cables , so you have to make sure that the box has plenty of space for its channeling.
In any case, both methods are identical with the exception that the connectors on the end that goes to the power supply must be specific for it, nothing more.
Necessary materials
- 18 gauge AWS cable (16 AWS if possible due to its higher quality). The length will depend on how many cables you want to make and their length.
18mm AWS Cable
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6.99
- Male and female ATX connectors for 18 cable . Here is a kit that includes many things, including a crimper that will also be needed. It includes some connectors that we will not need, but the interesting thing is that it also includes 200 male and 200 female pieces of these ATX terminals.
Crimper and male + female terminals
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26.99
- Terminals for all types of connectors . Depending on the cables you are going to be sleeving, you will need to purchase the necessary terminals. These are generally purchased separately. You will need to purchase the terminals at the other end as well, and it will depend on whether you make extension cables (in which case you will need to buy male and female terminals) or to replace the source cables (in this case you will need your specific source connectors).
- Tools for inserting and / or removing cables from connectors .
Tools kit
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17.87
- Sleeving sleeves for 18 cables. The length will depend, like AWS cables, on the cables we are going to do sleeving on, and of course the colors will depend on you. The normal thing is to buy them 4 mm thick and there are many sites oriented to modding where you can buy all sizes and colors , but it is important that the material is PET, because it is the most resistant.
- Heat shrink tubing and small heat gun / lighter . This is to “solder” the cable ends. There are also many colors and types, but the important thing is that they are the thickness of our cables.
Heat shrink tubing
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10.99
- Scissors, cutting pliers, ruler and cutter . Tools that we all have at home and that we will need to be able to carry out this modding project.
How to manufacture sleeving cables for power supply
The first thing you should do is be clear about the length you need in each of the cables (that depends on you, your hardware and the size of your box), and keep in mind that it is always better to leave a few centimeters to spare ( we recommend at least 5 cm) because it is better to go overboard than to fall short.
Each wire must be cut to the exact length. It is important that all the cables that will make up each of the sleeving cables that we want to manufacture have exactly the same length, and that is why it is interesting to use the rule with completely flat cables.
To cut them, the ideal is a cutting pliers. You can also test the cable on-site and mark where the cut would be, since many times the cable is not completely straight and that makes us lose the odd millimeter.
Now, you have to strip 3mm at each end of each wire. Normally crimpers already have an accessory to do this, but it can also be done with the cutting pliers with great care.
Once we have done this step, we can proceed to crimp the connectors on each cable. Note that the connectors have two “wings”, some short almost towards the middle of the connector and others longer at the end.
Insert the long “wings” into the crimper and begin tightening until a click is heard, but be careful not to overdo it. The large “wings” will be in the shape of a circle.
Once that is done, we remove the connector and proceed to insert the cable carefully, so that the “ring” that we made in the previous step is at the height of the cable, and the “stripped” cable is at the height of the Short “wings” of the connector. You can see it clearly in this image.
Here the correct length of the cable as well as the cover is very important, if it is not as in the photograph we run the risk of it coming off with a more or less strong pull.
Once this is done, we put the connector in the crimper and leave it already fixed.
This is what each of the connectors should look like once the process is complete.
This process will have to be repeated on all the cables and on both ends. Remember that depending on what you are doing, you will need a male and a female, one at each end, or two males. It is important that when crimping the opposite ends you do it so that the connector wings are in the same direction in both , since this will make it easier to make them coincide in the connectors later.
Now is the time to actually sleeving the cables. To do this, simply measure and cut the covers to the appropriate length. This is not the same as the cable, but it is the same minus 6 mm. Why? Because the sheath should cover the cable sheath but not the bare ends, and since each one is 3mm, the length should be exactly 6mm less.
After cutting the covers, it is advisable to give them a little with the lighter to avoid “hairs”. Only slightly, without going over or you could damage the covers.
Once this is done, insert the cables with their connectors into the covers.
Now, at each end of each cable, put the heat shrink sleeve.
It should be at this distance, right where the sleeving cover ends, and when it is, heat it with the lighter so that it shrinks and stays firmly attached.
The trick here is to heat only the end of the connector, as the rest we will cut.
Then, before it cools down, cut the heat shrink tubing crosswise and pull it off. Only the part that interests us will remain stuck, which is the one that fixes the sleeving sleeve to the cable.
Once this is done with all the cables and at both ends, we can now put the connectors in their corresponding terminals, using the tools that we mentioned at the beginning if necessary. Make sure, in any case, that the “fins” on the connectors are parallel to the connector, in this way. Otherwise it will not enter.
Now it is a question of putting the connectors in the terminals in their position and correct order. To know that it has been properly fixed, you should hear a slight “click”, which indicates that the fins have entered their anchors.
If you are doing extensors, they should just go in the same position. If not, you should look for a connection map of the source to know where each of them goes. In any case, pay attention to the fact that the connectors should appear slightly, you should be able to see them a little like in the following image.
Manufacturing sleeving cables is laborious but not too complicated. Now, the results are impressive.
Now if you want to make your own sleeving cables, you have time, patience and the necessary tools, you know how you can do it. Of course you have the option of buying them ready-made, although you will spend a little more money but you will have the guarantee that they will be fine.
