Cable Management

[Zathras]

Ok the last few times I was hooking up consoles or AV equipment I was dead set on making the wiring look "nice." I had my black wire ties and split wire wrap on hand and was working slowly and it still ended up in a mess.

 

How do you guys manage cables? Any tips?

[rustyjaw]

I gave up.

[The Daisy]

Same here. I just plain gave up. I might try to tidy it up before my wife and I sell our condo... but it's a foolish battle if you're planning to stay anywhere.

 

Glen

[Bruce B]

Here is a site that may help. I use a braided sleeving with velcro to hide the mass of wires going from the tv to my audio rack. Behind the rack itself all bets are off. I will never move from my home because I would never be able to figure out the wiring again.

[Robot Monkey]

Depends on the storage. For a regular rack (like Joey's), I use zip ties to bundle cables. If the back isn't visible, I don't bother with anything.

 

For racks with a cable tunnel, I'll run all A/V cables (or as many that fits) down the tunel. Power cables I run down the side, away from the tunnel. That either gets zip ties or a split-flex cable tube.

 

-j

[rustyjaw]

Actually I lied, when I said I gave up I was thinking about my computer which has a rats nest of cables from hell. I actually did bundle the cables eminating from my consoles into one larger cable using 'twisty ties' - the flexible ties with a thin wire in the middle and plastic on the outside.

 

I did this so I can roll the shelf everything is on away from the wall without fearing that a cable will snag on something or get caught under a wheel...

 

If I get a chance I'll take a pic of it.

[JoeyN]

If the room has lights on all the time , and was in a living room or something i would probably use ties. however Since the lights by my setup are off, and no one walks behind or past there i dont even bother

 

capt

[Orpheus]

I just use zip ties and Hosa wire loom cut to length. We sell the wire loom at work with the little bit of pro audio gear we deal with so i get mine at cost.You can buy a keg of zip ties for about $10 at your local hardware store (much better deal than the ones they sell in any audio or electronics store). I've rewired and organized several of my friends PC and HT systems (I work for beer ).

 

I think the key is to not try to bundle too much together. 3 or 4 skinny (3/4 ") looms is relatively clean looking and easier to sort out if you need to move things than 1 or 2 big bundles. Oh yea, labeling all you cable is a good idea as well. Makes sorting things logically much simpler.

[Robot Monkey]

Originally posted by Orpheus@Apr 5 2004, 08:38 PM

... you can buy a keg of zip ties for about $10 at your local hardware store (much better deal than the ones they sell in any audio or electronics store).

Wal-Mart has a nice keg with assorted sizes and colors of zip ties, too. I've been buying the split tubing from Lowe's, but I'd like to know of a cheaper source.

 

-j

[JFo]

I also use zip ties to wrap up my wiring, although I do agree with everyone else here. If you have a lot of equipment to hook up, the back of the entertainment cabinet is always going to look messy, no matter what.

 

Rather than fight the losing battle of making it look neat and organized, the best course of action is to hide the cables completely. That's part of the reason I had my entertainment center built. On the outside, it looks very domesticated and clean. Open it up, though, and its every bit as messy and cluttered as it ever was.