Where to buy very long IDE cables

[tivonut]

I'm going to build an external IDE case to support 2 IDE devices. I'll need an IDE cable about 4ft long, are there and site that sell long IDE cables.

Thanks

 

[Alptraum]

I don't think so. The specification for IDE lists 18" as teh maximum cable length. So even if you could get one it most likely would have a number of signal problems. Applications like that are what SCSI is for, and Firewire/USB as well.

 

[mroptimistic]

What he said^ 18 is listed as max, many people get by with 24, but pushing past that is just askin for trouble.

 

[techfuzz]

Originally posted by: tivonut
I'm going to build an external IDE case to support 2 IDE devices. I'll need an IDE cable about 4ft long, are there and site that sell long IDE cables.

It's not recommended you use any IDE cable longer than 18"-24" due to signal quality issues. The IDE spec sets a maximum length of 18", 4' or 48" is quite a bit longer. You won't find any cables that long for sale anywhere. Your data would more than likely be garbled by the time it reached its destination.

techfuzz

 

[thorin]

Originally posted by: tivonut
I'm going to build an external IDE case to support 2 IDE devices. I'll need an IDE cable about 4ft long, are there and site that sell long IDE cables.

Sorry but you're outta luck as has been said spec is 18" you can find 24" cables but no one will ever say they'll work 100%. 48" is way way beyond spec or even pushing spec.

One option is a SATA controller since SATA cables can be 1M (and a converter to use your existing PATA drive).

Thorin

 

[BurnItDwn]

you would need to use SCSI, Firewire or USB to do that ....

 

[BennyD]

i believe you can get firewire docks for normal drives, they would reach about 2/3 meters

 

[GrumpyMan]

Oh great I just got some 24" rounded Antec cables. I hope they don't corrupt my data.

 

[CaptnKirk]

The 24" rounded shouldn't give you any problems, they are most likely the type with a metalic overbraid,
which will assist in signal quality by reducing cross-talk, especially if they are the ATA133 type. (Most rounded are)
Signal Quality

 

[GrumpyMan]

Yes they are metallic overbraided ATA 133 Antec Cobra Cables with a ground wire at the one end. They even have a UV activated plastic sheath on them to make them glow, which should look nice in my new PC 75 case. Sorry to hijack your thread tivonut.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

I've been using the 24" rounders in several of my full towers for months now with zero problems, plus they have the cool factor goin' for 'em both literally and style wise.

 

[billyjak]

I had a 36" Round cable in my Tower for about a year, no problems with the length.

 

[Brian48]

Originally posted by: GrumpyMan
Yes they are metallic overbraided ATA 133 Antec Cobra Cables with a ground wire at the one end. They even have a UV activated plastic sheath on them to make them glow, which should look nice in my new PC 75 case. Sorry to hijack your thread tivonut.

Yeah, the Antec Cobras are the only 26" IDE cables that I'd trust. These things are shielded like crazy and come with a ground too. The only thing I don't like about them is the cost, but then again if you really need 26" cables, your choices are limited.

 

[Bluefront]

I'm running a 36" cable from CompUSA with two externally mounted Maxtor Drives, No problems.....I suggest you try your setup with a long cable before giving up. Don't believe everything you read on these forums......

 

[PowerMacG5]

Originally posted by: Bluefront
I'm running a 36" cable from CompUSA with two externally mounted Maxtor Drives, No problems.....I suggest you try your setup with a long cable before giving up. Don't believe everything you read on these forums......

I agree with you. I have the 36" Vantec (I think) cables, and have not had any corruption problems. My system runs perfectly fine.

 

[merlocka]

Originally posted by: Bluefront
I'm running a 36" cable from CompUSA with two externally mounted Maxtor Drives, No problems.....I suggest you try your setup with a long cable before giving up. Don't believe everything you read on these forums......

Yes, but think carefully about what you intend to store on that drive before listening to this guy. IDE was never meant as an external cable, and using a long one (much longer than 18in) could cause data corruption.

I'm sure there are cases where it's OK, just as many people can overclock their CPU's and be just fine. But make sure the data with which you "try your setup with a long cable" is data you don't need to keep.

 

[Ben50]

It might work if you only use ata33. The signal requirements aren't as stringent. I think the longest ide cables I've ever seen are 40 inches so hopefully that will get the job done. Good luck