Cable Repair

[BWLover]

Hi there. I have Tara Labs Vector 1 speaker cables and I need new spade and banana connectors. Tara Labs no longer sells these connectors. They screw into the end of the cable so I am having no luck searching for "threaded" spades. Any ideas? Maybe I'm calling it the wrong word or something. Thank you.

[HedgeHog]

Can you not just snip the ends and replace them with a screw-on type? Like a WBT or something.

[BWLover]

No. The ends are not ment to be cut off. Check out the picture

http://www.needledoctor.com/Tara-Labs-RSC-Air-RS-1-Speaker-Cable-image.jpg

[HedgeHog]

No. The ends are not ment to be cut off. Check out the picture

http://www.needledoctor.com/Tara-Lab...able-image.jpg

I figured that they are not meant to be removed but I was suggesting that you do remove them and swap in aftermarket ones (if you can't source TLabs screw-on ends). Not sure who carries Tara Labs in BC but you can prolly call them and see. They do sell a Termination Kit for the RSC Prime: http://taralabs.com/rsc_prime.pdf Maybe the Cable Company can help (www.cableco.com).

Good luck.

-H

[BWLover]

Thanks for the reply. But for some reason Tara Labs has stopped selling termination packs for the older cables. I have vector 1's. I think I'm going to call them to make sure I am getting the right information. Because that does not make sense to me. Also, I have no problem using other termination. I just don't know what it is called for the screw in type. All I can find is crimp on or the kind that you screw bare wire into (wbt maybe?). Anyway, what should I google?

[HedgeHog]

WBT is a brand (in case you weren't sure) so I was suggesting cutting off the ends to reveal bare wire then putting one of these on: http://www.wbtusa.com/pages/bananas_spades.html

But you can Google "Tara Labs BSM" for your application. I think it stands for Banana/Spade Module.

The Cable Company used to sell them:

http://www.thecableco.com/Product/BSM-Quad-Banana--Single-

http://www.thecableco.com/Product/5-16--BSM-Spade

You may have to contact them to see if they have some old stock.

[Lex]

connectors sometimes become unavailable over time, as designs change, and models change. I have been victim of that in my cable company as well. CATCables.com

A possibility would be to find out what size screw it is, get some longer ones, that you could in turn "crimp" the ends onto some new spades for example, or screw into a new connector of some type, then you'd combine old with new. What I am describing is "post-engineering" or engineering after the fact, take what you are given, and design something new to work. It can sometimes be done. I personally would not touch it though. Not my thing.

[Glen B]

No. The ends are not meant to be cut off. Check out the picture

Of course the ends can be cut off an reterminated. WBT spades are an excellent choice. You can cut off the original cable ends, strip the insulation off the ends, and install WBT copper crimp sleeves. Once the crimp sleeves are on, you can install the WBT spades and tighten up the set screws.

Best installation of the crimp sleeves requires the WBT crimp tool, which is spendy at $140, especially for a one-time use. However, if you purchase WBT parts from VH Audio, owner Chris VenHaus will let you "borrow" a crimp tool, then return it. Actually, for his protection, to ensure tools are returned, Chris requires that you leave a deposit if $140, the value of the tool. When you return it, he will refund your $140.00. I have made many purchases from VH Audio over the years. He is a very reliable retailer.

There is an alternative crimp to the WBT tool, the Philmore #63-601, available for $9.99 from parts vendor Handmade Electronics. However, they are out of stock right now. I own both the WBT and Philmore tools, and the latter does the crimping job on the WBT sleeves 95% as well as the WBT tool at a fraction of the cost.

WBT at VH Audio

Crimp sleeves

Handmade Electronics

[wkhanna]

Glen,

I tried fixing your first link earlier, (I see you added two more) hope it is correct.

I did not intend to step on toes, just wanted to see everyone get pointed in right direction.

Your experience & advice are greatly appreciated.