I need a cable making!

[The Elf]

I need a cable constructing from an 11-pin Leslie connector to a couple of jacks and power connector. I have pics and a guide for how this cable needs wiring.

This cable will deliver power and audio from my Hammond XK-5 to my Neo Ventilator 2, and send controls for fast/slow Leslie speeds.

I need it doing well, and I need a spare, so I'm not trusting my 'bodger's skills'!

Does anyone know of anyone who could engineer this for me? I'm happy to pay a fair rate for a fair job.

[The Elf]

[Kwackman]

Orchid Electronics?

[The Elf]

I'll admit that Orchid was my first thought, but I know he's a busy, busy man.

[Hugh Robjohns]

The biggest challenge is finding an 11pin Amphenol plug with covering shell. I've only ever seen them for sale in America, and most outlets only sell either the plug itself without the cable cover, or a complete plug and socket pair!

But if you can import the plugs, wiring them up is not difficult and, unlike most other Leslie connectors, there's no nasty mains power lurking amongst the 11 pins!

The Neo website has a slightly clearer explanation of the wiring requirements.

[Luke W]

The biggest challenge is finding an 11pin Amphenol plug with covering shell. I've only ever seen them for sale in America, and most outlets only sell either the plug itself without the cable cover, or a complete plug and socket pair!

I just discovered this whilst having a quick nose for said plugs, all of the suitable options looked to be in the US.

[Hugh Robjohns]

Elf, if you want to import some Amphenol plugs I'll happily make up the adapters for you. I need one for my SKX anyway and haven't got around to it yet!

My XK1c uses an 8-pin and ready made adapter cables are available for that from Thomann amongst others.

[Wonks]

Are these the ones?

https://www.etsy.com/uk/market/amphenol_11_pin_plug

[Hugh Robjohns]

Yes... from 'Leeds Radio'. Old stock or possibly recycled, and only one left of the plug and back shell!

[Folderol]

Looks suspiciously like the old octal style 11pin plugs often mated with 11pin relay bases - not seen one for decades!

[James Perrett]

The 86CP11 plugs are available from Farnell although they come from their US warehouse so there is an additional import charge on each order.

https://uk.farnell.com/cooper-interconn ... dp/1311360

Unfortunately the cap is out of stock

https://uk.farnell.com/cooper-interconn ... dp/1302504

though the one with the metal strain relief is in stock but very expensive

https://uk.farnell.com/cooper-interconn ... dp/1311311
.

[The Elf]

Heck! I didn't think that finding the parts was going to be the tough bit!

I'm over in the States in a couple of weeks. Anywhere in the Omaha area that may have these plugs and caps?

[The Elf]

Elf, if you want to import some Amphenol plugs I'll happily make up the adapters for you.

Happy to do that if anyone can tell me who has them.

[The Elf]

I've grabbed the Leeds Radio plug and cap, so at least I have one.

Never even considered the parts were going to be hard to find. There are thousands of Hammonds and Leslies out there, but presumably people just buy ready made cables.

[Luke W]

Never even considered the parts were going to be hard to find. There are thousands of Hammonds and Leslies out there, but presumably people just buy ready made cables.

And those cables seem to be exclusively available in the "very long and even more expensive" variety!

[Hugh Robjohns]

Not that I know of, but you could order the parts from BB Organ and have them shipped in advance to wherever you're staying or working with in the US, and then bring them back in your baggage.

https://www.bborgan.com/collections/typ ... %20Sockets

For each cable adapter set you'd need one Amphenol Male Plug 11 pin ($13.99) and one Leslie Cap package ($16.99). The cables, TS/TRS plugs and DC power plug/sockets we can obviously source in the UK.

If you're up for it, add a set for me!

[The Elf]

Not that I know of, but you could order the parts from BB Organ and have them shipped in advance...

I'm up for it, but I've done this for a few items already, and I don't want to wear out my hosts' good will! I'll see what I can do...

Done!

It will be a while, but I'll get it to you in a few weeks.

[Hugh Robjohns]

And those cables seem to be exclusively available in the "very long and even more expensive" variety!

I've only found an 8-pin version for the SK1/2 and XK1c models from Thomann:

https://www.thomann.de/gb/hammond_neo_v ... _cable.htm

And an 11-pin version intended for the obsoleted Leslie 12C speaker from Sweetwater.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... le-10-foot

However, the latter costs a ludicrous $100, the fast/slow connections are reversed for a Neo Vent, and it doesn't have a B+ connection to tell the Hammond that the (fake) Leslie is connected which might be a bit of a drawback if you wanted to bypass the internal Leslie effect.

I am surprised, given the number of modern Hammond Clones and the popularity of the neo that suitable adapter cables aren't more readily available.

[The Elf]

As above, I've ordered a couple of 11-pin and caps for both of us.

[Hugh Robjohns]

Ooh! You are keen! Thanks!

I'll source the quarter inch plugs and cable then.

What do you want to do about the B+ power supply?

The DIY page on the Neo website suggests looping the Neo's own PSU via the Hammond plug, but it might be more flexible to use a separate +12V supply. let me know when convenient.