is there a maximum length for ide cables?

[ArkAoss]

I have one that is about 3 ft long, it doesnt seem to be working, is there also any way to test cables with out a test rig? or sould i just use a multi meter and some wire to make pins??

 

[Hanpan]

I may be wrong but i think the max is aobut 3 ft.

 

[odog]

i thought it was 18 inches... i could be wrong tho

 

[compuwiz1]

Although, you may find them longer, 18 inches is supposed to be the maximum to be in spec.

 

[DaddyG]

18 inches is the standard for ATA66/100. ATA33 may be a little longer, possibly 24. Your multi-meter will not help if you have a length issue.

 

[ArkAoss]

umm its actually probly a resistance issue then right? any ideas as to where i might get the resistance specs?

 

[Floyd]

No, resistance is irrelevant. The difference in resistance of a 28ga wire 18" and 36" is a scant 0.0988 ohms. It has to do with timing and data integrity...longer cables introduce a greater possibility for timing errors and noise pickup.

Best regards,
Floyd

 

[Zenmervolt]

My experience has been that IDE cables are supposed to be just barely not long enough to reach the top IDE drive in my full tower case. Come on, two more inches is all I need, two more inches. What's the point of having a full tower if you can't get the IDE cable to the top drive without it being taut enough to play like a guitar string?

Zenmervolt

 

[Mday]

the official spec for ide cables is, unfortunately 18 inches. that is, 0" at the controller, 12" for the first drive, and 6" for the second drive.

yes you can have longer, but technically it is out of spec.

i am running with 36" 80\40 cables. ;-) and yes, performance has decreased with the 36" cables.

 

[Spook]

My dad had a long IDE cable, it was 48" believe it or not, it took up alot of space in his case. he eventually replaced it with a smaller cable... simply too much cable...

 

[andylawcc]

i forgot, but someone here posted a link to a site that sell IDE cable longer than 18 inches...

 

[RobSan]

Standard 40 strand IDE cables come in either 18" or 24" and are universally available....try CyberGuys to go cheap. I have seen floppy cables up to 36" that reach the very top of a full tower. You can even buy the rounded IDE cables in these standard 18/24 lengths. Buy the ribbon in bulk and make them any length (shorter) desired to cut down on cable clutter and connectors that are not needed. I have never seen ATA 66/100 cables in any length other than 18".

 

[WetWilly]

24" ATA/66/100 cables are available - not common, but available.

 

[ArkAoss]

hmm ok so 24 would be available, i have a full tower case, and a mobo with the connecters about 1/3 of the mother board width down, and normal cables barely reach the top of the 3rd drive, forget the 6th bay. had a working cable that was 24 but only one connecter on it

 

[Technonut]

I have 2 24" ATA66 cables in my full tower, with 2 drives on each. I have had no problem with them.