High-quality 12V power cables

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Thomas 🌈🦄 avatar
I'm looking for high-quality 12V DC cables with barrel plugs… I have a ton from no-name brands from Amazon but often run into issues with the connections being bad or lose, cables falling out, corrosion, etc. – I've lost quite a few imaging sessions due to these issues.

Is there a high-quality brand for these cables that have well-fitting snug connectors, withstand the elements and don't corrode? 
(I'm in the US.)

Thanks!
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Bob Lockwood avatar
I would say that if you must use the barrel plug ( cigarette lighter plug) then Anderson PowerWerx is your best option.
But any barrel type plug will always be unstable. 

Adapter & Extension Cables | Powerwerx
andrea tasselli avatar
Not sure but over here "barrel plug" does not refer to cigarette lighter plugs but rather to, say, a 5 mm x 2.1 mm center positive plug, such as those here:

DC Power Connectors - Barrel Plugs & Jacks | Farnell UK
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Bob Lockwood avatar
I believe Andrea is correct. The only way you will get a for sure connection with a barrel connector is to use the locking type, but you would need to 
have the threaded female side as well.

Also, if the issue is the cable losing connection on the camera, I think your out of luck, as it's the female side that controls the fit.

From Amazon.
Amazon.com: MEETOOT 4 Sets 5.5x2.1MM DC Power Plug Jack Female Panel Mount Connector Kit Locking Solid Copper Male Plug Connector and Female Thread Locking Receptacle Adapter : Electronics
Thomas 🌈🦄 avatar
Bob Lockwood:
I would say that if you must use the barrel plug ( cigarette lighter plug) then Anderson PowerWerx is your best option.
But any barrel type plug will always be unstable. 

Adapter & Extension Cables | Powerwerx

Barrel plug = center positive 5mm x 2.1mm plug, NOT the "cigarette lighter" thing
Thomas 🌈🦄 avatar
To clarify:

- I DO NOT want to built my own cables
- I DO NOT want to remove plugs from like on the camera to solder on my own
- I DO need cables with two male 5mm x 2.1mm barrel plug ends for 12V DC (what basically most mounts, astro cameras, dew heaters etc. use)

The only thing I want to know is if there's any good quality manufacturer of these I should source it from. I'm in the US.

Thank you,
Thomas
andrea tasselli avatar
Tried RS?
Mau_Bard avatar
I think a Pegasus Astro (distributed in US) produces high quality barrel cables. Expensive yet reliable.
Bruce avatar
I also don't like the 2.1x5.5mm power plugs but there is often little choice in using them.  The best I've found to date is https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08L6LJ5F4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
Thomas 🌈🦄 avatar
I think a Pegasus Astro (US company) produces high quality barrel cables. Expensive yet reliable.

Thanks, I've ordered some and will report on how I like them.
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dayglow avatar
I have bought from Digikey (www.digikey.com) an industrial distributor for electronic components.  They will have cable assemblies as well as individual components.
Bill McLaughlin avatar
I know you don't want to but IMHO there is no substitute for making your own:

1) Better connection
2) Better quality plug bought from electronics suppliers like Digikey and Mouser.
3) Better quality wire of the right gauge (I use silicone since they are flexible in the cold and I have never seen premade cables that use silicone)
4) Exactly the right length and gauge

There are several sizes of barrel connections  and although most are 2.1 x 5.5, not all are that size, even within astro equipment.

They also vary in length within sizes and too long a male will be unstable.

Add to that the fact that the contact schemes vary between styles and brands and when used in the wrong combination some will not carry much current (think camera coolers and dew heaters). I have literally had an on-camera power connector melt when using a stock cable from my power box because it had weak contacts.

Finding the right combo in a quality stock cable has proven to be a real crapshoot, that is why I have gone to making my own.

Just my .02
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Philip F. avatar
I think a Pegasus Astro (US company) produces high quality barrel cables. Expensive yet reliable.

I thought that Pegasus was in Greece?
Bill McLaughlin avatar
Philip F.:
I thought that Pegasus was in Greece?


So did I.
Mau_Bard avatar
Philip F.:
I think a Pegasus Astro (US company) produces high quality barrel cables. Expensive yet reliable.

I thought that Pegasus was in Greece?

You are right, Philip! I edited the original post to purge the error. Thanks.
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