MagicShine/Gemini/Bikeray Extension Cables
 

Hi all :)
I just received a MJ-808E and taillight, and have spent an hour mounting them on my bike, scratching my head, muttering profanities under my breath, and covering my bike in gaffer tape trying to figure out how to make things work together with the cables that came with the order. :notamused:

I received a 1M extension cable, and a Y-cable with the set. No matter how I mount things I either have way too much cable to tie up (1M - ~6"), or not enough cable to reach both lights. What I really, really need, is a 6 or 8 inch long version of the extension cable. I checked the MagicShine, Gemini, and Bikeray websites, but no one has anything that short.

I can run with what I have and just tie everything up, it just looks rubbish doing it that way though. Any ideas on where I can find one of these cables in the length that I need? (I momentarily considered just cutting the 1M cable down to the proper length, but I wouldn't have a clue how to do it properly, and I didn't feel like having to explain why I burned the house down :D )

Thanks all :)

Where are you mounting your battery? Normally if you mount it close to your seat post and use the Y cable there, you will not have that much extra cable left over from the Y or the extension after running that to the front. It almost sound like you are mounting your battery pack on the center of the top tube.

Regardless, if you do need a 8" extension cable and worry about cutting and soldering, then I suggest you get another Y cable. Those are about 12" long. Use only one of the two connector as a short extension. Tape the two cable of the Y end together so that the unused one will not flop around.

Hey Tim. I've got a supply of the extension cables and Y-cables as well (same thickness cable as the extensions, not the thin version). I can make an extension of whatever length you need with a nice watertight splice (heat shrink, followed by butyl rubber, followed by heat shrink). Cutting off one leg of the "Y" and sealing off the cut side is also an option for a 10" extension. The full 1 meter is definitely a bit much, given the length of the remaining wires, but have you tried the battery in a saddle bag with the Y-cable and excess taillight cables completely tied up inside the bag? Then the one meter along the top tube isn't so bad. Just some options.
DesignShineLighting

DX has 3 versions of adapters extensions: a 100 cm Y adapter, a 100 cm extension and a 25cm Y adapter which are cheap.

The short one is pretty flimsy (thinner/less poly covering) but at ~10" it would be the right size. Unless it really, really offends your sense of aesthetics just bind up the extra connector. That way, if you develop a short in one, the other is right there and waiting. The longer ones are stronger and decent for chopping up to make connectors and adapters.

I ended up just folding the 1M extension cable up, wrapping it in about 6 layers of electrical tape and then zip-tying it between the seat stays.
It's a fugly solution, but it'll work for now. I keep my bike inside at home and work, so I don't have to deal with removing the lights. In a couple of years when I go back to my old job it'll be a concern, but I figure I have enough zip-ties holding all the cables in place, most people will find an easier bike to steal lights from ;)

Thanks for the suggestions all :)