Restoring Cable Memory? at DVinfo.net

Jeff Kolada · October 16th, 2009, 09:03 AM

I have some stingers that were left all bent up in the corner of our equipment room, and now they are impossible to wrap due to being stuck bent for so long.
Basically it's like opening a new extension cord from lowes, the cable is warped and there is no cable memory to be wrapped correctly.
Main point:
Is there any way to restore the cable memory and straighten out the cables?

I have heard rumors of letting them sit out in the sun for a couple hours they'll warm up and 'melt' themselves back into shape.

Shaun Roemich · October 16th, 2009, 09:32 AM

OFTEN, it's the braid that picks up the "memory" and not the rubber/plastic.

The longer you leave a cable stretched out straight in a warm environment, the better the chance you MAY be able to restore a "happy coil" but I've tossed many a VIDEO cable that never came back after a well intentioned lackey disobeyed my DIRECT ORDER to leave cable wrapping to me.

Seth Bloombaum · October 16th, 2009, 09:45 AM

Likewise, I've had mostly good luck with high-quality cables stretched out on a warm sunlit driveway in the middle of summer for a few hours.

Don Xaliman · October 16th, 2009, 11:45 AM

"I've had mostly good luck with high-quality cables stretched out on a warm sunlit driveway in the middle of summer for a few hours."

And if you lay back in a hammock and watch, the tension diminishes and all is well.

Seth Bloombaum · October 16th, 2009, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Xaliman

And if you lay back in a hammock and watch, the tension diminishes and all is well.

So true... perhaps a cold beverage and someone to serve it...

It occurs to me that I could offer cable-relaxing service to DVInfo subscribers, I'll move to someplace warm year-round, ya'll can send me your tired, your worn cables and a suitable contribution... Oops, Chris says no marketing without permission, but, Don, you've started a few ideas circulating! Thanks.

Allan Black · October 16th, 2009, 05:50 PM

Wrap the XLRs in Gladwrap, run the cables in your microwave for 20 secs. Try and keep them looped on the centre turntable.

Disclaimer. I've never done this, it was told to me by a guy who is now out of the industry.

Cheers.

Daniel Epstein · October 17th, 2009, 07:03 AM

I don't recommend putting anything with metal in a microwave oven. Of course 20 seconds is pretty short but still. For a more detailed discussion see this

WikiAnswers - Can you put metal in a microwave oven

Shaun Roemich · October 17th, 2009, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allan Black

by a guy who is now out of the industry.

Hmmm... I smell something fishy... <grin>

Dan Brockett · October 17th, 2009, 10:02 AM

Please don't put cables into a microwave. Have you heard of arcing? If not, you will know all about it if you put cables into microwave. Whoever thought of this must be in the running for the Darwin Award.

Dan

Pete Cofrancesco · October 17th, 2009, 03:20 PM

I've never tried it but you could wrap the cable in old towels/rags, put it in the dryer, then hang it after its sufficiently warmed.

if you want them to smell good don't forget the fabric softner ;p

Dean Sensui · October 18th, 2009, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seth Bloombaum

Likewise, I've had mostly good luck with high-quality cables stretched out on a warm sunlit driveway in the middle of summer for a few hours.

In some neighborhoods the kinks might not disappear but the cable will.

Steve House · October 19th, 2009, 05:25 AM

Regardless of how you relax the cable, be sure to wear ear protection as you straighten it. All the sounds trapped behind the kinks come rushing out at once and it makes a hell of a racket.

Dean Sensui · October 19th, 2009, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve House

Regardless of how you relax the cable, be sure to wear ear protection as you straighten it. All the sounds trapped behind the kinks come rushing out at once and it makes a hell of a racket.

Really? I thought The Kinks broke up?

October 16th, 2009, 09:03 AM	#1
Jeff Kolada Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 78	Restoring Cable Memory? I have some stingers that were left all bent up in the corner of our equipment room, and now they are impossible to wrap due to being stuck bent for so long. Basically it's like opening a new extension cord from lowes, the cable is warped and there is no cable memory to be wrapped correctly. Main point: Is there any way to restore the cable memory and straighten out the cables? I have heard rumors of letting them sit out in the sun for a couple hours they'll warm up and 'melt' themselves back into shape. __________________ Jeff Kolada http://www.jeffkolada.com

October 16th, 2009, 09:32 AM	#2
Shaun Roemich Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia (formerly Winnipeg, Manitoba) Canada Posts: 4,088	OFTEN, it's the braid that picks up the "memory" and not the rubber/plastic. The longer you leave a cable stretched out straight in a warm environment, the better the chance you MAY be able to restore a "happy coil" but I've tossed many a VIDEO cable that never came back after a well intentioned lackey disobeyed my DIRECT ORDER to leave cable wrapping to me. __________________ Shaun C. Roemich Road Dog Media - Vancouver, BC - Videographer - Webcaster www.roaddogmedia.ca Blog: http://roaddogmedia.wordpress.com/

October 16th, 2009, 09:45 AM	#3
Seth Bloombaum Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,420	Likewise, I've had mostly good luck with high-quality cables stretched out on a warm sunlit driveway in the middle of summer for a few hours. __________________ 30 years of pro media production. Vegas user since 1.0. Webcaster since 1997. Freelancer since 2000. College instructor since 2001.

October 16th, 2009, 05:50 PM	#6
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,887	Wrap the XLRs in Gladwrap, run the cables in your microwave for 20 secs. Try and keep them looped on the centre turntable. Disclaimer. I've never done this, it was told to me by a guy who is now out of the industry. Cheers. __________________ Drink more tap water. On admission at Sydney hospitals more than 5% of day patients are de-hydrated.

October 19th, 2009, 05:25 AM	#12
Steve House Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 5,742	Regardless of how you relax the cable, be sure to wear ear protection as you straighten it. All the sounds trapped behind the kinks come rushing out at once and it makes a hell of a racket. __________________ Good news, Cousins! This week's chocolate ration is 15 grams!

October 16th, 2009, 11:45 AM	#4
Don Xaliman Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Vancouver BC Posts: 96	"I've had mostly good luck with high-quality cables stretched out on a warm sunlit driveway in the middle of summer for a few hours." And if you lay back in a hammock and watch, the tension diminishes and all is well.

October 17th, 2009, 07:03 AM	#7
Daniel Epstein Trustee Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New York, NY Posts: 1,267	I don't recommend putting anything with metal in a microwave oven. Of course 20 seconds is pretty short but still. For a more detailed discussion see this WikiAnswers - Can you put metal in a microwave oven

October 17th, 2009, 10:02 AM	#9
Dan Brockett Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 2,109	Please don't put cables into a microwave. Have you heard of arcing? If not, you will know all about it if you put cables into microwave. Whoever thought of this must be in the running for the Darwin Award. Dan

October 17th, 2009, 03:20 PM	#10
Pete Cofrancesco Inner Circle Join Date: May 2004 Location: USA Posts: 2,995	I've never tried it but you could wrap the cable in old towels/rags, put it in the dryer, then hang it after its sufficiently warmed. if you want them to smell good don't forget the fabric softner ;p