Pyro Cable

[Ross Bristo]

Hi all,

 

At a community theatre they're having a production on October that requires flashes and some confetti bombs, we've had flashes before however they've been preped by someone else, that person has now left the the theatre. As I'm the only one deemed a competent pyro technician (by my employer) I've been given the roll of rigging and firing the pyro's for this performance.

 

The problem I've got is at work (a much larger theatre) I regularly rig pyro's but I never have to purchase any of the effects or cables. Looking at Le Maitre's website I've found my effects but I don't know what/or where to buy the pyro cable.

 

Im operating a Le Maitre Pyroflash Flash Pod and a La Maire pro stage 2 way firing unit, I've checked the website and can't seam to find any tech spec on the cable used.

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Ross

[Ynot]

You can pretty much use any decent stranded cable such as bell wire up to a 2-core mains - we tend to use 0.5mm or 0.75mm flex for our cables as it's readily available in black.

[Ross Bristo]

Thanks Ynot,

 

I was thinking that some 2 core mains would do the trick. I'm assuming there are no issues with reusing the cable?

[innocentspyke]

2 core mains would be a bit heavy duty, but would certainly work.

 

Cables can be used time and time again.

[Jivemaster]

Bell wire works but it's usually white, so go to your local electrical shop and look for the smallest twin flex that is black,- or it takes ages to hide the cables!

 

Even so arrange to do Lincoln's course sometime soon. the details are pinned and regularly updated at the top of this (Effects and Pyro) section of the forum.

[Ross Bristo]

Thanks for the replies,

 

I was hoping to do the stage electrics course that was happening near me but I missed it. I'm on the look out for another training course.

 

Thanks,

[Brian]

I was thinking that some 2 core mains would do the trick. ...

Use 3-core if you're making cables for re-use. That way you can use twin-pods and breakout boxes at a later date. You'll find that 3-core 0.5mm cable fits the bulgin connectors just fine and allows the cable grip to work.

 

 

PS...

 

There is a pencilled date for a course in your part of the world early September. Keep an eye on the ASP website.

[adam2]

I would second the suggestion to use 3 core cable, not only in case two circuits are required, but 3 core mains flex is far more likely to have some other use than 2 core after the event.

 

If this is a one off event, then it might even be worth useing 1.5mm TRS since this is widely used for lighting etc.

0.5mm 2 core, though much cheaper might never end up being reused

[Ynot]

If this is a one off event, then it might even be worth useing 1.5mm TRS since this is widely used for lighting etc.

0.5mm 2 core, though much cheaper might never end up being reused

Hmmm...

I think you may have difficulty squeezing 1.5mm TRS into a Bulgin plug...

But if it's cheapness for a one-off, then black bell wire/speaker wire is more than man enough for the job.

[Ross Bristo]

Hi,

 

I am looking for it to be reused more than once...quick question tho.

 

If I'm using 3 core mains what do I do with the third wire if I've just got a direct (or series) circuit to the flash pod? I've never worked with 3 core cable when dealing with pyros.

[smalljoshua]

Leave it disconnected.

 

Josh

[Ynot]

Leave it disconnected.

And why, pray, would you do that?

If using the standard Bulgin plugs that Le Maitre gear has, there are no less than THREE pins to wire up.......

Strange, that...

[smalljoshua]

I would to that as in a closed loop Pyro system there is no need to have the third conductor connected. Also, as an alternative to the Bulgin Plugs, there are only two screw terminals on the Pyro pods themselves and the OP never said that he was or wasn't going to use the 3 Pin Bulgins on the Pyro Pods.

 

There is always more than one way to skin a Rabbit, both of which are technically correct. Every time I have worked with someone who has setup Pyro for a show I've been involved in, they have used the Screw terminals on the Pyro Pods and only wired two of the 3 pins on the Bulgin plugs for the Connector.

 

Josh

[Jivemaster]

You NEED two wires to fire a pyro charge. So you only NEED to run twin flex, and bell wire will do for most runs. Bell wire being solid cores will flex to failure more easily than a multistrand cable.

 

The Bulgin connectors used by LeMaitre allow the use of three core cable through which two cues can be cntrolled (cores A-B and A - C ) With some careful switching at the controller and cunning placement of diodes in fact four channels can be controlled using three core. When you do Lincoln's ASP course you will understand how it works, but simply -it does.

 

As your pyro needs grow then more cues and less wire become a necessary feature. Only the leMaitre 6 - 24 controller fully implements the four channel three core system.

 

For starters I'd simply use bell wire and black paint or felt tip

[Ynot]

... OP never said that he was or wasn't going to use the 3 Pin Bulgins on the Pyro Pods....

True, but the suggestion to use 3-core only really makes sense if you DO use the 3-pin Bulgins...

And as he says he'll be re-using, making up plugged cables is a FAR better option.