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repair help!

Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2010 11:41 pm
by Ivor
From the oul' "process of elimination" I think I need to replace the mini jack (plug) on my son's headphones. I did Google for instructions on how to do this but all I found were articles on how to replace the socket.
Any of you DIYers know of a fairly basic "how to" website? I suppose all I really need to know is which wires go where. Again I suppose I could follow the existing wiring.

Any ideas? Would replacing the entire cable (with presumably a moulded plug) be easier?

Re: repair help!

Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 1:07 pm
by Dowser

Re: repair help!

Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 1:31 pm
by Ivor
Brilliant Richard, that's exactly what I'm looking for.

Re: repair help!

Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 6:51 pm
by Fran
You can buy replacement plugs in maplin - or just cut a plug off another dead pair.

Beware the that wires inside will be fiendishly small, most likely are stranded, and may also be enamelled. Join like with like - you'll have to figure out which is ground and which is signal.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Jack_plug.png

Fran

Re: repair help!

Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 8:26 pm
by Ivor
Fran wrote:You can buy replacement plugs in maplin - or just cut a plug off another dead pair.

Fran
I'll try my local Peats first but they have trouble spelling hifi. Most likely a trip to Maplins in town is required. (sigh)

I've soldered these little feckers before and I'm not looking forward to it. Well actually I kinda am.

Re: repair help!

Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 10:18 pm
by Fran
Would you not have a minijack on something dead around the house that you could cut off and use?

Re: repair help!

Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 10:32 pm
by Ivor
Fran wrote:Would you not have a minijack on something dead around the house that you could cut off and use?
probably. I'll have a look around.

Re: repair help!

Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 11:36 am
by Ivor
I have to say I'm a little wary of reusing a plug off old broken (cheap) earphones. There's always the risk that the plug was the problem in the first place!

When he goes back to school that kind of repair mightn't be robust enough to survive the school bag and bus trips anyway.

Sur' I'll see what I can find.

Re: repair help!

Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 5:08 pm
by Ivor
I was passing Peats in Dame Street at lunchtime and picked up a plastic mini-jack plug for €1

It came as great surprise to the guy working there that they had them (sigh)

Re: repair help!

Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 7:40 pm
by Ivor
I finally got around to fixing this (school holidays took away the urgency) and while fiddly it worked. Thanks to all. I give the repair 10 minutes. I'll put it this way... I haven't put my soldering iron away yet!