RTD PT100 cables bad, can I replace with microphone cable?

[sowoah]

I have a Kal clone, but I bought the cheapest PT100s I could find with NPT threads and detachable cables. They connect to my control panel with XLR connectors. 2 out of 3 have bad connections. I've tried resoldering the connectors, I've tried to find the break in the wire and cut that part of the cable off, but no luck. I have to mess with it every time I brew, moving my 1 or 2 functional sensors to different kettles and play with the wires until the signal works.

I believe the sensors themselves are fine (just a resistor, right?) I want to just buy a couple cheap $6 XLR microphone cables off amazon and cut an end off and wire it to my sensor. Anyone see any problem with that? I don't think I'll miss the metal braiding.

 

[MintonHVAC]

I have a Kal clone, but I bought the cheapest PT100s I could find with NPT threads and detachable cables. They connect to my control panel with XLR connectors. 2 out of 3 have bad connections. I've tried resoldering the connectors, I've tried to find the break in the wire and cut that part of the cable off, but no luck. I have to mess with it every time I brew, moving my 1 or 2 functional sensors to different kettles and play with the wires until the signal works.

I believe the sensors themselves are fine (just a resistor, right?) I want to just buy a couple cheap $6 XLR microphone cables off amazon and cut an end off and wire it to my sensor. Anyone see any problem with that? I don't think I'll miss the metal braiding.

I was faced with thr same problem...
Ended up buying better RTD probes to fix the issue... Very frustrating!

 

[augiedoggy]

use network cable or telephone wire... it lasts longer and is better than that cheaper braided stainless crap wire ebay and auberins sells. I switches to teflon coated cables a couple years ago and the work flawlessly.

if toy dont already have them, Its best to spend the $9 for the type of rtd that has the disconnect at the probe so you dont catch the cables on everything and damage them when you move the kettles to clean them.
something like this so its easier to replace and upgrade the cables if you still need to.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/RTD-Pt100-...142586&hash=item44165c8cd9:g:FDIAAOSwEWJZyHFS

 

[golfindia]

Note.... some of those ebay PT100 probes have 4 prong connectors. Auber and other places are 3 prong. I currently have a mix of both types, not a problem, you just have to make up 2 kinds of cables.

 

[don_bran321]

to answer your question completely. Yes that will work just fine. I gad to do the same and rewire to a new xlr connector. Bought cheap ebay probes.

 

[Br3w4u]

I went to a local music store and bought XLR connectors for 3 dollars each and I used thermostat wire to wire them up. Works great and it was super cheap. Lowe’s sells several different gauges of wire by the foot. I only did this because I originally bought mini XLR connectors online not realizing how small they really are and I just could not solder them worth a crap!

 

[sowoah]

Note.... some of those ebay PT100 probes have 4 prong connectors. Auber and other places are 3 prong. I currently have a mix of both types, not a problem, you just have to make up 2 kinds of cables.

I have 4 prong connectors on the probe. but only 3 are connected (and there are only 3 wires). no problem. pin 4 is not used.

Thanks for all the replies, seems like I shouldn't have any problem regardless of wire type (thermostat wire, cat 5, etc) I will buy the $6 mic cable because it has XLR already and that's one less end to solder=)