atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Other TDM Phone Systems 1A2 and Comkey Telephones & Systems Replacing station cable

One of my stations needs a new cable. I have a cable of the right length, gender and also has the metal cover over the amp. connector, which is right for this phone (It's what's on it now).

Problem: The cable doesn't have any spade lugs on it.

So:

Do they sell 25 pair replacement station cables (preferably with a metal cover over the amphenol connector)?

Or am I better off just putting lugs on the cable I have? I'm not at all looking forward to replacing the cable, let alone putting lugs on 25 pairs... then again, I don't really have anything better to do.

Nope, they stopped making metal covers for the connectors in the 70's. They also stopped selling replacement line cords in the 90's.

You are going to need to just bite the bullet and use a single-ended male cable and strip the wires. I wouldn't waste the time to put lugs on them, not to mention that there's not a lot of room inside 1A2 sets for field-installed lugs.

If you stick with Western Electric sets, all connections are screw terminal, so stripped wires will be just fine. If it's a Comdial, ITT or Northern Telecom set, you must have lugs and I doubt that you'll find any that are small enough.

Thanks Ed -

It's a Western Electric, one reason I wanna stay "stock". Now that I have the info you provided, I'm thinking of a compromise: Cutting the leads on the existing wires, about 4" or so, and then soldering/heat shrinking each lead. That way I get spades and don't have to use stripped wires. One other advantage: I can guarantee that even if I remove one lead at a time, diagram where every lead goes, take pictures and also make a 4 hour documentary - I'll end up putting some lead in the wrong place. This way I don't have to remove any leads.

I'll leave it as a project for a rainy Sunday.

Thanks for the info -

Matt

Matt: I have many junk phones, with 25-pair cords (you really mean cord, not cable) that you can have, so that you don't need to cobble some non-standard stuff together.

Matt, if the cable is damaged closed to the amp connector, consider putting a new connector on the cable. A lot easier than what you are proposing. IF, you have the tool, that is! Bet someone here has one, and a few connectors. Ask @ the buy&sell. Under the right (Wrong) conditions, they're still useful today! Long 25/50 pair IW feeder mangled, get it up and running in 20 minutes, if you can get a couple of feet of overlap. Lot better than 1/2 day, 2 guys pulling thru an active office or wherever. John C. (Not Garand)

John - it's damaged at both ends.... the amp connector has one (or possibly more) "pins" detached from the plastic and is just barely able to connect. On the phone end, the sheating is cracked/exposed. I crammed it up into the phone so you can't see it... but I'm trying to get this phone (it's a red one) back to stock as much as possible.

Arthur -

Thanks for the correction... I can use more of that kind of response, so I don't look so much like an idiot.

Anyway, if you have a cord, with a metal end over the amp connector, and lugs on the other end.... I'd be very interested in it. Maybe we can discuss it when I call about the cuckoo clock.

Thanks all!

Matt

Operators are standing by to take your call.

Toll-free: 866-749-0100 Ext 2

(Hint...you don't look like an idiot. We can't see you.)

One of my fav. Marx brothers quotes:

He may look like an idiot, act like an idiot, and talk like an idiot. But don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot.

Mounting cord sent today via US Mail.

Man....

How is it possible there are so many good folks in one place?

This is far and away the best forum I've ever been on.

Thanks Arthur!!!!!

Matt