Editor's note: Our usual disclaimers apply. ADPmods.com holds no responsibility for errors or omissions in this guide.
By: John Cronk aka “Johnny Do”
Overview:
In this guide I will attempt at helping you make your own custom length SATA (Serial ATA) power cables. Since the two types of connectors are punch down (pass through) and crimp styles, I will illustrate the wiring of both types and instruct you on how to use the two types. I will also illustrate on how to make your own adapter using a standard Molex power connection so that you can make Y-adapters or just extend wires from existing connectors from your power supply.
Parts That May Be Needed:
This is a list of parts that you will need to complete this task. Note that some items may not be needed depending on what connectors you use and how you build them. I’ll try to talk more about this as follows.
- Wire - SATA connectors (either type is fine) - Molex power connector (if you want to make an adaptor) - Crimpers (helpful but not mandatory) - Needle nose pliers - Wire strippers - Flat-head jewelers screw driver - Regular size flat-head screw driver - Solder and soldering iron - Basic skills in handling, cutting, stripping, and attaching wires - Luck
Step One – The Plan:
Ok you have a plan, or do you? If you don’t know where to start then the simplest thing is to sit in front of your computer and decide where you want the connectors and how you want to attach them to the power supply. Once you made up your mind the job is half done.
Step Two – Get Up To Speed:
Get a idea of what the connectors look like and familiarize yourself with the color of wire to which each pin is associated.
** Tip: Black = ground, Yellow = 12v, and Red = 5v
Here are some illustrations to show you which color of wire corresponds to which pin (click for larger images).
As you can see the Molex power connector is the exact same female type that comes from your power supply. The other two pictures are of the SATA power connectors. Note that the key is next to pin 1. So therefore the wire map of the SATA connector is:
Pin 1 Yellow 12v
Pin 2 Black ground
Pin 3 Red 5v
Pin 4 Black ground
Pin 5 <not used> 3.3v but we’re not concerned with this
Also notice that the pictures illustrate the difference between the two most common types of SATA connectors. One is a punch down type (pass through) similar to how a RJ45 jack (standard Ethernet jack) is connected in that there is a metal bar that cuts the insulation of the wire and grabs the wire inside. You must take care with this type of connections that you make a good solid joint here. I mean that when you push the wire in and down this metal bar the wire goes to the base where it will make the best contact. If for some reason the wire gets pulled out of this connection you must make a new connection further down the wire.
To explain a bit better, if you already have a cut in the cable, don’t reuse the same exact spot over again as the wire has already been cut into and will not make a reliable connection.
The next connection is a crimp type where the pins of the connector has room for bare stripped wire to lay on then tabs get crimped over top very much the same way as a standard Molex connector. With these types of connectors a crimper makes the job much easier but the tool can be expensive. You are able to use needle nose pliers if you are careful and make a good crimp job. Personally with these types of pins, I’d always solder the wires just to make sure. I have never felt easy about leaving a connector with just a crimp. This goes with standard Molex power connectors as well.
Step 3 – Getting Dirty:
Now you should have a plan of action knowing where you want your SATA connectors and how you’re going to connect it to the power supply as well know which colors of wires goes to which pin. It’s now time to get your hands dirty.
If you are planning on attaching to an existing Molex connector, you must first remove the pins. If you looked inside the connector you will see two barbs that stick out from the pin against the body of the connector. You can use a special pin removal tool or just get a small flat-head jewelers screwdriver to gently push the barbs back just enough to allow you to pull the wire from behind the plug. You are now able to strip some wire and solder is to the tail of the plug. Make sure you make a good solder joint as there is not much clearance for another wire in the back of the Molex plug. Use a knife or other similar object to pull the barbs back out a bit being careful not the break them off then push back in the Molex plug. You’ll hear (or feel) a click.
To attach wires to the punch down (pass through) style SATA connectors the best thing is to hold the connector with the pins facing down and the meter bar or U shaped opening for the wires facing up towards you. Place the wire (take note of correct wire color) over top of the opening and use a flat-head screw driver to push the wire all the way down in one smooth operation. You will have to be careful as to not slip and jab yourself with the screwdriver and also make sure that the blade thickness of the screw driver is not bigger then the opening of the metal bar that grabs the wire. You don’t want to bend the bar open as you want to tightly close around the wire inside the insulation. Please be careful as to not rock the screw driver back and forth as this may break the connector itself and you’ll have to get a new one. You may be able to try this, place a wire over top the connector but leave a few inches hanging over so that you can pull both sides of the wire into the connector. I don’t think this is a good idea as you are putting too much strain on the wire itself and it could break or cause more damage.
To attach wires to the crimp style connector it’s pretty easy. Basically you take notice as there are two sets of tabs on the pin. The first tab nearest the point at which the wire comes in contact with the pin is to grasp the insulation of the wire. The second tab is to grasp the stripped wire itself. You will want to strip the wire in such a way that about 1mm of striped wire is exposed both before and after the second tab. This will ensure that the tabs get enough room to touch the wire and still give a bit more working room while you crimp down the tabs. It is best to use a crimper as it will push the tabs in at a constant rate and pressure to ensure a good crimp job. However I have done many of these type of contacts with only a pair of needle nose pliers with good results. I also recommend especially if you use pliers is to solder the wire to the connector. Again with soldering there really is no such thing as too little. Don’t gob it on; just enough solder to make a solid connection is fine.
Repeat the above procedures until you have all four wires attached to the SATA connector. Take special care of the 5th pin furthest away from the key (notch on the outside of the connector). If you follow the above pictures you’ll have no problem.
Step 4 – Finishing Touches:
Well by now you should have 4 wires attached to the SATA power connector and ready for the next step. This will entail attaching the wires to your power supply. Since there is an infinite number of ways to do this I will give a few suggestions.
-Use a Y-adapter with Molex ends and cut off one end, solder the wires to their corresponding wires of the SATA connector and heatshrink.
-Attach to an existing Molex connector with the procedure above by taking out the pins, solder the wire and pushing the pins back in the Molex plug
-Get a new Molex plug and by following the crimping guidelines above make an adapter that goes from Molex to SATA.
Step 5 – Cleanup:
By now you should be done the project and have a completed assembly. Look it over again and compare to the pictures above just to make sure the wires are in the correct order. Remember if they are in the wrong order it will blow stuff up. Once your all done and your work looks good, go ahead and plug it in and watch the smoke *cough cough* I mean watch it work !!
Here is a picture of a completed cable of both types connected to a Molex plug. Sorry for the picture not being the best of quality but I have a crappy camera.
Now go and drink a beer and celebrate your victory on building your own SATA power connection.
-= Johnny Do =-
