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Post by halidex on Nov 8, 2019 18:44:03 GMT
Hey, I'm very new to AE format but have absolutely loved it in concept from the moment I saw it. I do a fair amount of electronic experimentation and often always gravitate toward the patchwire method as a permanent solution so this format speaks to my soul. Anyway. I recently bought a used system from Reverb and have been getting familiar with it hands on. I did not like the way the modules were set up so I decided to rearrange them. In doing so I immediately found that I have a great deal of trouble getting the modules back into the case. My issue seems to be an extrodinarily stiff bus cable. Are they all like this? It is so stiff that I cant really seem to fold and slide it enough to get the module in place. I think a less stiff cable would be better but not the best overall solution. My thought was to make the case deeper. I dont think it would have to be more than 1-2cm deeper to avoid this. Anyone else encounter this? Is there a technique? Any tips? If not, I may just remake the case
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Post by slowscape on Nov 8, 2019 23:33:14 GMT
I have not moved anything, but I did remove a module and put it back in it's place and found it to be a little tight as you've mentioned. It made me not want to really move anything at all hehe. I know there are a lot of users here who have done a lot of modding and will no doubt chime in. I'm eager to get some tips as well!
EDIT: BTW, welcome to the community!
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Post by admin on Nov 8, 2019 23:53:37 GMT
Yes it is a bit fiddly, but I have also rearranged my cases a few times and have found that it all worked out in the end. I'm personally not too fussed about it as I'm not doing this very often.
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ben
Full Member
Posts: 124
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Post by ben on Nov 9, 2019 18:42:02 GMT
Hey, I'm very new to AE format but have absolutely loved it in concept from the moment I saw it. I do a fair amount of electronic experimentation and often always gravitate toward the patchwire method as a permanent solution so this format speaks to my soul. Anyway. I recently bought a used system from Reverb and have been getting familiar with it hands on. I did not like the way the modules were set up so I decided to rearrange them. In doing so I immediately found that I have a great deal of trouble getting the modules back into the case. My issue seems to be an extrodinarily stiff bus cable. Are they all like this? It is so stiff that I cant really seem to fold and slide it enough to get the module in place. I think a less stiff cable would be better but not the best overall solution. My thought was to make the case deeper. I dont think it would have to be more than 1-2cm deeper to avoid this. Anyone else encounter this? Is there a technique? Any tips? If not, I may just remake the case I would say if the cable seems too stiff for you - just build one yourself  buy some 2.54mm IDC ribbon connector plugs and a ribbon cable itself. I've built myself a few cases (used 3mm thickness PVC foam sheets - easy to cut and glue together) and cables for DIY modules, connected it to one row AE modular case from both sides with screws. Made a few 80mm depth cases, stacked them together - no headache for any sort of DIY module anymore |
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Post by halidex on Nov 11, 2019 23:28:07 GMT
I ended up cutting a slot in the back panel to give me some access and relief to the tension of the bus cable. It compromises the strengtha little but once all the modules are in you cant tell. It makes things so much easier. I probably will end up making a custom case at some point.
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Post by young Protoboard on Nov 14, 2019 0:21:10 GMT
Hey, I'm very new to AE format but have absolutely loved it in concept from the moment I saw it. I do a fair amount of electronic experimentation and often always gravitate toward the patchwire method as a permanent solution so this format speaks to my soul. Anyway. I recently bought a used system from Reverb and have been getting familiar with it hands on. I did not like the way the modules were set up so I decided to rearrange them. In doing so I immediately found that I have a great deal of trouble getting the modules back into the case. My issue seems to be an extrodinarily stiff bus cable. Are they all like this? It is so stiff that I cant really seem to fold and slide it enough to get the module in place. I think a less stiff cable would be better but not the best overall solution. My thought was to make the case deeper. I dont think it would have to be more than 1-2cm deeper to avoid this. Anyone else encounter this? Is there a technique? Any tips? If not, I may just remake the case I had issues connecting and disconnecting modules without stretching the bus cable like crazy, which sounds like what you had to do. My solution was to leave the bus cable in place as much as possible, and loosen the module to the right (usually) and left of the module being replaced. Disconnecting the neighbors usually gives me enough slack to connect the module without having to extend the accordion pleats. As such, I didn't have to stuff the stiff cable awkwardly back in place. It's a little annoying to unscrew/screw another module, but is preferable to putting strain on that cable, in my opinion. And, best of all-- didn't require permanent modification! |
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Post by audiojack on Nov 14, 2019 9:21:34 GMT
Ooo, can we see some photos?
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Post by spacedog on Nov 14, 2019 9:37:20 GMT
Hey, I'm very new to AE format but have absolutely loved it in concept from the moment I saw it. I do a fair amount of electronic experimentation and often always gravitate toward the patchwire method as a permanent solution so this format speaks to my soul. Anyway. I recently bought a used system from Reverb and have been getting familiar with it hands on. I did not like the way the modules were set up so I decided to rearrange them. In doing so I immediately found that I have a great deal of trouble getting the modules back into the case. My issue seems to be an extrodinarily stiff bus cable. Are they all like this? It is so stiff that I cant really seem to fold and slide it enough to get the module in place. I think a less stiff cable would be better but not the best overall solution. My thought was to make the case deeper. I dont think it would have to be more than 1-2cm deeper to avoid this. Anyone else encounter this? Is there a technique? Any tips? If not, I may just remake the case I had issues connecting and disconnecting modules without stretching the bus cable like crazy, which sounds like what you had to do. My solution was to leave the bus cable in place as much as possible, and loosen the module to the right (usually) and left of the module being replaced. Disconnecting the neighbors usually gives me enough slack to connect the module without having to extend the accordion pleats. As such, I didn't have to stuff the stiff cable awkwardly back in place. It's a little annoying to unscrew/screw another module, but is preferable to putting strain on that cable, in my opinion. And, best of all-- didn't require permanent modification! That's how I ended up doing it. I loosened quite a few to give me wiggle room. It gave me quite the headache trying to get one in with everything tight around it. It's probably obvious and incredibly quick and easy when you know how, but going in blind isn't fun. At least I only have three (albeit fully loaded) rows with which to fight. |
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Post by halidex on Dec 29, 2019 19:07:05 GMT
I forgot to close the loop on this post. Below is a link to a couple of pics of the cuts I made in the bottom of the case. They don't provide as much relieve for the cable tension as I would have liked but I didnt want to go wider with the cut for fear that it would impede on the cases integrity/strength. These cuts still serve a valuable purpose in that I can now manipulate the bus cable while installing and removing modules and thus was a success from my perspective. I'm considering designing a custom case next and want to use a laser cutter instead of hacking away with a dremel. I will say that hardboard is HARD! What a genius choice. photos.app.goo.gl/NhnbfPzVkuX5Lb7y9 |
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Post by admin on Dec 30, 2019 7:41:09 GMT
Hi, I'm sorry that this video may be too late for you halidex, but hopefully it's valuable for others that are just starting out and adding modules. I can't really share your frustrations about the bus cable and the rack. I've removed, moved and installed numerous modules across my three cases and always found it straightforward if a tad fiddly at times. Here's my video about this: |
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Post by NightMachines on Dec 30, 2019 8:34:04 GMT
Yeah, same here. I’ve moved stuff around a bunch too and even added my own DIY modules, but it never was an issue to add or remove stuff. There isn’t much space for sure but in my case the ribbon cable is folded under each module so that I can pull the plug out a little, attach it to the module and push everything in again. EDIT: Ah, I just watched the video admin, well done! That’s how I do it as well, pushing on the back screws to pop the module out and pulling the ribbon cable out to get to the plug  |
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Post by MikMo on Dec 30, 2019 16:26:09 GMT
Very useful and instructive video Careck - thanks for that
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buy some 2.54mm IDC ribbon connector plugs and a ribbon cable itself. 
