Help me extend my Odyssey 2 controller cords

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

I have the "hardwired" version of the Odyssey 2 and it is my intention to make the controller cords longer. So far, I have gone inside the unit and disconnected the controllers. What you see in the pictures is end of the controller cord. I was wondering:

What do you call the white plastic thingy?

Is it possible to buy an exact match for the white thingy on the end?

Have you ever done this mod before?

How would you proceed with the mod? Would you clip off the white thingy and just piece the old wires together with some new ones?

Thank you for your help!

http://i698.photobucket.com/albums/vv349/Orion_Pimpdaddy/Jan2009024.jpg

http://i698.photobucket.com/albums/vv349/Orion_Pimpdaddy/Jan2009025.jpg

[jb143]

It's simply called a connector(or a pluggable connector). It looks like a crimp connector since the wires just push inside it and metal cuts through the plastic to make contact with the actual wire. It could be a locking connector as well just meaning that it snaps into place when you plug it in. It's a little hard to tell from the picture and it's been forever since I've looked inside an Odyssey2.

It will be something like this (http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Tyco-Electronics-AMP/770602-6/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMvT7Of4ktfHLqHyPS1kFYDeNWySkUBuJbA%3d ). Though I'm not sure of the pitch(spacing between the pins).

The mating end is called a pinstrip, pin header, or pin connector.

Hope this helps.

[FABombjoy]

IDC is the term - insulation displacement connector. Should be resuable once the original wires are removed. You'll need to force the new wires into place, either with a punch down tool or a small screwdriver.

Or, cut & splice your new wires into the old wires a few inches back from the connector.

A connector similar to the one in that Mouser link would work, but you'd also need to buy the crimp contacts & a crimp tool to do it right.

[gokugohandave]

It wouldnt be too hard as FABombjoy said, to just cut and splice an extension on each wire back where it comes out of the black insulation. That way you dont have to mess up the clip.

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

Thanks for the tips everyone. I guess it's easier than I making it out to be. I kind of wanted to buy a female end for the the exact IDC in the picture and use it to connect to another stretch of cable, but then I'd end up having a long cord with a "block" in the middle.

Now, as suggested, I think I'm just going to remove the IDC in the picture, directly connect some new wires, pass them through some new insulation, and then add the IDC back on, then reconnect with the system.

I'll post a picture when it's done.

Thank you!