Ribbon Cable

The ribbon cable is one of the defining characteristics of the difference between the GB1 and GB2 proton packs. This cable has several electrical wires running parallel to each other on the same flat plane. It is a rainbow ribbon cable, due to the many different colors of wire used. On the proton pack, the ribbon cable runs from a clamp on the top left side of the Cyclotron, twists around itself, is clamped to the Booster Frame, and feeds into the cosmetic plating below the Gear Box/Crank Generator. It is probably one of the most eye-catching features on the proton pack.

Unknown Ribbon Cable (Ghostbusters)

The 1984 ribbon cable has yet to be located. It is currently one of the most sought-after pieces, as its discovery will allow builders to start making packs screen-accurate to the first movie, rather than the second. Few photos that show enough detail to see the cable clearly. Some believe it is a fabric and wire combination, or that the cable strip was custom-made for the movie.

Based on further research by namebrand, the ribbon cable seems to be a custom cable containing sixteen wires with wire groupings separated by a semi-transparent flexible plastic, much like the laminate used on the GB2 Spectra Strip. The color pattern is as follows:

Brown - Red - Orange - Yellow - Green - Blue - spacer - Purple - Grey - White - Black - spacer - White / Brown - White / Red - White / Orange - White / Yellow - White / Green - White / Blue

Drawing Credit:namebrand

Spectra Strip Ribbon Cable (Ghostbusters 2)

The 1989 Spectra Strip cable was made by Amphenol (Model #132-2801-060, discontinued 2021). The correct configuration is 60 wires grouped into 30 pairs.

On the correct ribbon cable, there is a 2-3" section that is not twisted. This part is usually concealed inside the curl and wrap of the ribbon cable as it goes into the clamp.

There are alternatives out there without the straight section, as well as others with fewer and/or differently colored wires.

The color sequences for the ribbon cable from the Amphenol datasheet [1], if you are feeling adventurous and want to make your own, is as follows:

Tan Common (base): Brown - Red - Orange - Yellow - Green - Blue - Violet - Gray - White - Black

Repeat this pattern for a total of 60 wires in 30 pairs.