HELP Dreamcast Controller Extension Cable Question

[pteague87]

I have the Sega Sports edition Dreamcast and two of the black Sega sports controllers. Now, I have a regular Dreamcast and the extension cords on it suite me just fine. But on my Sega Sports Console, it kinda irks me that the only extension cords are white. I was thinking of maybe cutting them on one end, prying open the casing of the connector to un-attach/re-attach, or something and put black heat shrink on it just for the heck of it.

Problem - No clue what the wires on the inside of the cable are / look like, how or if you can get the port connector case off / anything really. Anyone done this or something similar that could lend some advice? Or is it a "simply to hard.......leave it alone" deal?

[pteague87]

*Update*
I got the the ends off with no cutting needed. Going to buy heat shrink this weekend and some black paint to paint the "plug cases" or whatever they're called and I'll try to update with a picture.

[samsonlonghair]

Good Luck, pteage. When you buy yourself some paint, consider using Vinyl Dye. It lasts longer and works better on plastic than regular spray paint.

[Ziggy]

Dying the plastic will be better. If you are going to spray them, use Krylon Fusion black matte.

You're going to put heat shrink tubing on the existing wire? Since you have to desolder one end for that, why not just replace the wire with a black one?

[pteague87]

consider using Vinyl Dye. It lasts longer and works better on plastic than regular spray paint.

Thank you for the valuable tip. Do you know if vinyl dye is a Wal-mart or Home Depot thing? Or is it kind of specialty? Does it rub off easily once it has set up?

[pteague87]

You're going to put heat shrink tubing on the existing wire? Since you have to desolder one end for that, why not just replace the wire with a black one?

Also a very good tip that seem rather obvious, But I didn't even think about that. Also, anyone know how to get the little Ferrite beads off the cord?

[Ziggy]

consider using Vinyl Dye. It lasts longer and works better on plastic than regular spray paint.

Thank you for the valuable tip. Do you know if vinyl dye is a Wal-mart or Home Depot thing? Or is it kind of specialty? Does it rub off easily once it has set up?

You can probably find some sort of dye in either of those stores that would work. Luckily, you're dying a white (or off white) to black which is the best case scenario. I'd imagine you could also use India Ink, which you can find in any arts and crafts type store like Micheal's, or Amazon. Just be sure to use gloves or your hands will be black for a long time.

Also a very good tip that seem rather obvious, But I didn't even think about that. Also, anyone know how to get the little Ferrite beads off the cord?

Dreamcast controllers have ferrite beads? Those are usually clipped on.

[pteague87]

Dreamcast controllers have ferrite beads? Those are usually clipped on.

I failed to be specific I suppose. I'm only doing this to the extension cords for fear of mangling my sega sports controllers. You're right that the controllers don't have ferrite beads, but the extension cords do. I suppose I'll just try the ol' pry method lol.

[Ziggy]

Dreamcast controllers have ferrite beads? Those are usually clipped on.

I failed to be specific I suppose. I'm only doing this to the extension cords for fear of mangling my sega sports controllers. You're right that the controllers don't have ferrite beads, but the extension cords do. I suppose I'll just try the ol' pry method lol.

That can be annoying because you never know HOW it snaps together until AFTER you get it apart, and the trick is to get it apart without breaking it. But unlike the end connectors on the extension cable, if you break the ferrite bead getting it off, you can just replace it as they're pretty generic.

[pteague87]

if you break the ferrite bead getting it off, you can just replace it as they're pretty generic.

Although most the advice you've given seems so obvious, I didn't think about just replacing it. I'm quite a novice at projects like this if you can't tell, and I really appreciate the input. That actually made me look on ebay, and I found black ferrite beads for like 8 bucks for a handful. That will look nice and clean on new black sleeving.