How To: Make your own 1/8" miniphone to household sync cable CHEAP!

June 20, 2008 | Category: How To...., Lighting, Photography

Quantum, Novatron and a number of the other lighting companies use the AC (household) sync and the cables to connect them to Skyports and PocketWizards aren’t cheap . The only two manufacturers I’m aware of that produce these cables are PocketWizard and Paramount and both charge around $25-35 for a short cable! Here’s how to make a few for around $4.00 each!

Disclaimer: I will not be held responsible for any damage to your flash or radio trigger. I am not an electrician. Please try this at your own risk.

What you’ll need

Double ended 1/8″ Stereo cable (you can use mono or some old headphones which will be cheaper, but this guide shows a stereo plug because I had one on hand)
Leviton Lamp plug found at Home Depot for less that $1.00 each (Home Depot doesn’t seem to sell them online) Be sure to get the solderless kind unless you want to solder.
Phillips screw driver
Wire cutter/stripper

Cut the Stereo cable in half. Strip the wires and attach as shown in the photo above, cut the negative wire (small black) short. Note that you can make two sync cables out of the one audio cable.