Internal PC power cable replacement?

[ValorZeroAdvent]

I found out that my internal right-angled 3 pin male power connector to 3 pin female power connector in my Bitfenix Prodigy M case is dead and I have to plug the power cable directly to the PSU through the bottom of the case. Are there any possible replacements I can think of?

And yes, I already sent a support ticket to Bitfenix. They're taking a long time to reply back though. Probably because it's Christmas though, but oh well.

 

[ValorZeroAdvent]

A quick bump.

Thought of something like splicing my own cables (though I don't have the expertise and would have to look for someone who can splice said cable.)

 

[commach]

How come this IEC C13/C14 cable can failed without any moving part or fused?

Go SLS/SLT to buy a replacement cable, might not be the exact length as the default cable but shouldn't be any major issue except not that nice looking with the extra length.

 

[ValorZeroAdvent]

As far as I can hypothesize it's probably because the last PSU I ran with shorted out and failed in the most exciting manner with magic smoke and flames, so it must've pulled too much current which ruined the cable. As a matter of fact I had to also replace the external power cable too, so I think that's what happened.

 

[hawthorne]

My home electrical cabling also can spoil moving in for a few years. So, PC electrical cable also can spoil. Mah

 

[ValorZeroAdvent]

A matter of wear and tear, supposedly. Kind of strange that some cables last forever and other cables seem like they're made to be spoiled and replaced after a few years (looking at you, earphone/headphone manufacturers!), but I digress.

 

[commach]

There are right angle C13 cable with straight C14 at the other end available, I'm also right angle C13 cable for my lab. DC variable power supplies.

I guess direct replacement from the manufacturer is not cheap, better buy from SLT/SLS IMHO. Anyway, casing manufacturer gets their supply from cable supplier, they don't have the facility to fabricate this cable.

 

[commach]

Check which is suitable for you casing:

http://sg.rs-online.com/web/p/iec-connectors/0488905/

http://sg.rs-online.com/web/p/iec-connectors/8671619/

http://sg.rs-online.com/web/p/iec-connectors/2935891/

 

[ValorZeroAdvent]

There are right angle C13 cable with straight C14 at the other end available, I'm also right angle C13 cable for my lab. DC variable power supplies.

I guess direct replacement from the manufacturer is not cheap, better buy from SLT/SLS IMHO. Anyway, casing manufacturer gets their supply from cable supplier, they don't have the facility to fabricate this cable.

So my best bet is to look around SLS or SLT for the cable. I'd think SLT would have a higher chance of me finding one, though. I suppose i'll bring the defective cable too, just in case.

 

[commach]

So my best bet is to look around SLS or SLT for the cable. I'd think SLT would have a higher chance of me finding one, though. I suppose i'll bring the defective cable too, just in case.

Should have, I bought one such cable from SLT couple of years ago to replace the default cable which is too short for the power supply placement.

Alternatively, you can DIY using a standard PSU power cable by cutting off the straight C13 connector and replaced it with the right angle type from RS.

 

[ValorZeroAdvent]

Check which is suitable for you casing:

http://sg.rs-online.com/web/p/iec-connectors/0488905/

http://sg.rs-online.com/web/p/iec-connectors/8671619/

http://sg.rs-online.com/web/p/iec-connectors/2935891/

Well, it looks like http://sg.rs-online.com/web/p/iec-connectors/0488905/
is the best choice given the layout. I wonder if I can reuse the female port though. I don't think the port itself is dead, but the cable is.

 

[commach]

Well, it looks like http://sg.rs-online.com/web/p/iec-connectors/0488905/
is the best choice given the layout. I wonder if I can reuse the female port though. I don't think the port itself is dead, but the cable is.

Can you post a picture of the cable?

The C14 connector (male) and C13 (female) are usually moulded, you don't get to see how the internal damage without using a multi tester to test the continuity and resistance. If the previous incident lead to the failure of the cable, the failure must be overloaded and burnt the internal joint of the connector on the live or neutral lead result in discontinuity. This is rather rare because the fuse usually blown before overheating of the cable to the point of failure. I've seen and in fact holding 10 brand new power cables of inferior quality, the internal resistance of these cable are ridiculously high for the length of 1.5m. Using such low quality cables are no different from a timed bomb, a disaster waiting to happened. Not hinting the original cable quality in question, but we can't rule out any probability before we know the actual reason of the failure.

Not gonna name any brand in particular, there are new casings power cable comes with unusually high internal resistance. Even if you are not equip with a multi tester, a simple test will tells you how bad is the cable. Place a magnet at both connector, if the magnet attracted to the connector, this cable should not be use for powering device that draw current above 5 amps. The internal connectors are fabricated using plated low carbon steel instead of copper.

I would suggest you buy the right angle C13 connector and solder it to a standard (better quality) C14/C13 power cable to match the default length.

 

[wwenze]

How come this IEC C13/C14 cable can failed without any moving part or fused?

Go SLS/SLT to buy a replacement cable, might not be the exact length as the default cable but shouldn't be any major issue except not that nice looking with the extra length.

Connector pins getting loose. Real fire hazard.

 

[commach]

Connector pins getting loose. Real fire hazard.

Using non copper connector pins are the most common fault. Sad to says, users are happily using inferior cable because they are thinner and more flexible doing cable management.

The bigger diameter with lowest internal resistance are shun because they are not cable management friendly to the modder.

 

[ValorZeroAdvent]

Can you post a picture of the cable?

Whew. Getting this thing out was something.

 

[ValorZeroAdvent]

Bumping, for good measure.

I'm very sure I can find a power cable like the one in the post below somewhere in Singapore. I just need to know where.

 

[devilwahaha]

Bumping, for good measure.

I'm very sure I can find a power cable like the one in the post below somewhere in Singapore. I just need to know where.

http://sg.element14.com/bulgin/px0580-28/inlet-iec-solder-tag/dp/313737
+
http://sg.rs-online.com/web/p/iec-connectors/0488905/
+ cable of choice
= what you need.

The cable you're looking for isn't exactly a niche product, just highly uncommon locally cos it comes with cases and almost never breaks. Will be a lot faster buying the above and assembling it or just buying it off ebay/taobao/ncase website.