How Do You Coil Your Wires?

[goob47]

So I haven't seen any posts on the forum reminiscent of this, so I just decided to make this poll out of curiosity.

There are 3 different ways (that I know of) to coil your wires:

http://i43.tinypic.com/2gt6veu.jpg
(I like to call this one the coil)


http://i39.tinypic.com/33vc6rs.jpg
(I like to call this one the wraparound)


http://i40.tinypic.com/rkdj03.jpg
(And finally, the I don't give a sh** as long as it fits.)


If I missed any important ones, please reply with pictures or a description of your coiling techniques. :)

[bigbacon]

depends on the item but usually #2, then maybe #1.

[goob47]

Oh yeah, and which option do you think will make your controllers/power cords last longer? Just curious. :)

[Ro-J]

#1 if I am putting a controller away for awhile. #2 if I'm am just tidying up for the night.

[bb_hood]

I usually will coil the wire, but use twist ties instead of rubber bands.
Over long periods of time the wraparound method can be harmful to the controller if its wound up too tight over the buttons.

[8-Bit Archeology]

I do what is marked as the coil. But I rubber band them to the back of the controller as well. That way their easier to put away and get out without them daisy chaining themselves. And anything with joysticks has to get put away where nothing is holding the joystick at a non zero point.

[FFStudios]

Playstation controllers were excellent for the wraparound method so long as you made sure you didn't wrap the wire too tight. Generally speaking, nothing more than a nice circular coil WITHOUT a rubberband (preferably a velcro strap or a twist tie) will keep your controller wires in optimal condition.

[sloan]

#2 will damage controllers. I have seen too many Xbox Dukes with broken wires at the strain reliefs from using technique #2. Always use technique #3 if at all possible.

[thom_m]

I do the wraparound almost everytime; I start wraping the cord around the controller just a little after the junction with the pad, to avoid damage.

[thom_m]

I do the wraparound almost everytime; I start wraping the cord around the controller just a little after the junction with the pad, to avoid damage.

[ProjectCamaro]

All of mine are wrapped like #1, I believe they place less stress on the wires where they exit the controller.

[PizzaKat]

no.2
the SAturn wires always seem to be warped more often than other controllers that I have.

[xelement5x]

Lol, I wonder if this thread was created just because I mentioned my pet peeve about how some people wrap controller cords :P

I'm closest to number 1, but like bb_hood I like to use twist ties, more of a looping. My goal is to always have a loose circular coil so that the cords don't get kinked.

Occasionally if I'm in a hurry I'll do it closer to the pictured #1, but I'll rather just leave it loose and lying around than wrap it around the controller itself.

[MetalFRO]

Before I answer your question, answer mine - did you have to use the TERRIBLE model 1 Saturn controller as your demonstration? LOL

Seriously, though, it depends. The wraparound is pretty much my go-to for NES, N64, etc., but I've been moving more toward "the coil" sans rubber band, i.e. actually coiling the cable up in a circular fashion and then tucking it under the controller so when it sits on the shelf (or on top of the console), the controller itself is on top of a nicely coiled batch of cable.

[Aussie2B]

None of those. I typically do this:

http://triacesuperfan.inverteddungeon.com/storage/controllercoil.jpg

I start a loop near the controller, and when I get to the end of the cable, I wrap that end around the loop to secure it. No rubber bands or twist ties needed.

[Crystalian]

The wraparound BUT I make sure to give 2-3 fingers of space away from the controller before I start to avoid stressing the exit point and keeping tension off of the attachment. I also don't coil tightly so the wires inside the insulation don't get damaged. Lastly, on N64/Dreamcast/Xbox/PSwhatever-style controllers I alternate across the front of the controller each time so the wires make an "X" pattern. I'm OCD about damage control, but I don't feel that the wraparound hurts anything as long as you take some common-sense precautions. Peace!

[sloan]

Oh yeah, and which option do you think will make your controllers/power cords last longer? Just curious. :)

#3 will make them last the longest. Even #1 will damage cords if stored for years like that.

[jperryss]

Wrapping the cord around the controller is fine as long as you leave a little slack right where the cable enters the controller, so it's not putting constant strain on the strain relief.

[Darkwing]

Wraparound with a little slack has always done the job.

[Lictalon]

THe Wraparound here too, until I bought a wireless controller starting at PS2.

[sloan]

I will concede that a very loose wrap-around the controller job should not be damaging to internal wires, nor should the loop method shown by Aussie2B.

I warn against even the top image in the first post because wires get more brittle with age, and anything with a rubber band strangling it is damage waiting to happen.

[goob47]

Before I answer your question, answer mine - did you have to use the TERRIBLE model 1 Saturn controller as your demonstration? LOL

I actually think that the model 1 Sega Saturn controller is one of the best controllers ever made, to tell you the truth...

[wiggyx]

None of those. I typically do this:

http://triacesuperfan.inverteddungeon.com/storage/controllercoil.jpg

I start a loop near the controller, and when I get to the end of the cable, I wrap that end around the loop to secure it. No rubber bands or twist ties needed.

I also do something really similar to this.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k99/wiggyx/Game%20Stuff/null_zps13c86e0b.jpg

[Cornelius]

For those that coil, you're doing it wrong (and so was I):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEd7ru24Vx0

[biggzy]

I've found that the wraparound method can make the wire twist really badly if done too haphazardly. I agree with others--only wraparound if you do it gently and not too tight.

[goob47]

For those that coil, you're doing it wrong (and so was I):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEd7ru24Vx0

The hard thing about coiling your wires this way is that unless you bought your controller new, it probably has already warped... Not all wires are like pieces of rope like his... :(

[xelement5x]

For those that coil, you're doing it wrong (and so was I):


Mind blown!

[sloan]

There needs to be a cord wrapping class for thrift store employees. I see lots of controllers with the cord tautly wrapped around and rubber bands folded over about ten times. Most of these employees have not a clue.

[CRTGAMER]

I coil the wires loosly under each controller. For controllers plugged in, I first straighten out the cable BEFORE plugging in. When done gaming, I leave it plugged in and loosly wrap cord around controller. This way the coils straighten out when I unwrap for the next session.

I wish more companies would use the same material as the N64 controller cord. The perfect cable that does not kink up or remember its coils.

For storing extra controllers I use plastic shoe boxes. This keeps the controller tangle to a minimum since there are only a few per box. This is also handy for wireless controllers, keeping the matching sensor in check such as Gamecube Wavebird.

Controller Storage Guide - http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=52&p=625519#p625519

http://www.racketboy.com/forum/download/file.php?id=7177

[wiggyx]

For those that coil, you're doing it wrong (and so was I):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEd7ru24Vx0

It's not that other methods are wrong or right, but rather your need or use for coiling rope/cords/whatever. As long as you don't excessively twist or stress the cord, then there's no "wrong". I wrap the cords loosely around the palm of my hand then give a few twists around and then tuck the connector in. The entire thing unravels smoothly when I pull the tucked connector and drop it to the floor. Been doing it that way for about 20 years and any controllers that I purchased new are still in good shape and twist-free

[Flam]

I do #3. I have a box that I keep all controllers in, and grab them as needed. I feel it keeps the cords loose.

[Cornelius]

The hard thing about coiling your wires this way is that unless you bought your controller new, it probably has already warped... Not all wires are like pieces of rope like his... :(

You are absolutely right, but some can be straightened back out pretty well.


Mind blown!

I know, right!


It's not that other methods are wrong or right, but rather your need or use for coiling rope/cords/whatever. As long as you don't excessively twist or stress the cord, then there's no "wrong". I wrap the cords loosely around the palm of my hand then give a few twists around and then tuck the connector in. The entire thing unravels smoothly when I pull the tucked connector and drop it to the floor. Been doing it that way for about 20 years and any controllers that I purchased new are still in good shape and twist-free

I agree. My "you're doing it wrong" comment was meant tongue in cheek. There isn't a wrong way, but I only recently saw this alternating coil method and thought it was worth sharing. I started doing it with some things around here and it really makes a difference. Most notably on my rubber compressor hose, but also on a garden hose and some extension cords.

[Koa Zo]

Rubber-bands area bad idea for long term storage.
They will degrade and damage whatever surface they're touching.

[Dr. BaconStein]

I've done both the coil and the wraparound. Generally it depends on the item and whether I'm just putting it away for a short period or a long time. If it's the latter I might do the coil, if it's the former I'll probably do the wraparound, especially with controllers or AC adapters.

[kupomogli]

#2 when I'm not using the consoles. #3 With anything that's hooked up.

[wiggyx]

You are absolutely right, but some can be straightened back out pretty well.



I know, right!



I agree. My "you're doing it wrong" comment was meant tongue in cheek. There isn't a wrong way, but I only recently saw this alternating coil method and thought it was worth sharing. I started doing it with some things around here and it really makes a difference. Most notably on my rubber compressor hose, but also on a garden hose and some extension cords.

I'm not gonna lie, that video DID help me with my compressor hose too. Mine isn't even rubber. It's the stiffer plastic (high pressure) type and it is a bitch to coil and uncoil. That method helped me a TON :D

[wayultratech]

I am in Wiggy's camp on this one:

7079

[Rickstilwell1]

I usually coil good condition 1st party controllers according to their original factory folds. For cords that are so soft that they lose these factory folds (i.e. Nintendo 64 and Gamecube) I found I usually remember their original fold length anyway. When controllers are attached to a system I just do number 3 with the controller resting on top of the system. For cords I found at a thrift store or something that is already worn, heavily used etc. I just usually coil stored ones the best I can or leave them loose. I try to never do #2 because I know how that can permanently bend cords in the wrong places.

[sparf]

I'm a loose-coil and tie or, more commonly, loose-coil around hand and tuck the connector in kind of person.

[A.C. Sativa]

#2 will damage controllers. I have seen too many Xbox Dukes with broken wires at the strain reliefs from using technique #2. Always use technique #3 if at all possible.

I lost an S-model controller to the same thing. Now I just set the controller on top of the machine and let the cord hang wherever it wants.

[Serious]

Great topic.

My preferred method is somewhat similar to what Aussie2B does.

I like to loop the cord in a circle, and use 1-2 velco wire ties to hold it together. Since I am not twisting the cable when I do this, it keeps its shape longer (and doesn't end up with permanent bends in the cable).

[Atarileaf]

Man, I gotta use my glasses when I'm reading online. I coulda swore the title of this thread was "How do you call your wife?"

With my cell phone dammit, what kinda question is this? Seriously.

[TheRetroVideoGameAddict]

I use "the coil", it just works better and it makes the controller nicer to display. I used to do "the wraparound" but eventually the cords would start to get all wrangled and it became annoying, one of the cords came clear off of a Saturn controller I had.

"The Coil" all the way. :)

[goob47]

Man, I gotta use my glasses when I'm reading online. I coulda swore the title of this thread was "How do you call your wife?"

With my cell phone dammit, what kinda question is this? Seriously.
You mean the question on how to call your wife?... Uhm, I think the question on how you coil your wires is a very good and interesting one, and can benefit the retro gaming community if we figure out the best way to preserve our beloved controllers.

[M.Buster2184]

#1 if I am putting a controller away for awhile. #2 if I'm am just tidying up for the night.

I do the exact same thing.

[Neb6]

One of the guys I work on music with is an audio engineer. He gives us dudes in the band hell all the time for improper cable coiling. The reversal/alternating method is the one he uses.

Personally, I just leave my controller cables loosely bundled and don't even wrap them at all anymore. Especially after seeing the PS2 and XBOX controllers that my brother tightly wrapped the cables around and then left sitting for months. Yikes! Those cables now have nasty ripples running through them and will likely never be the same again.