I'm working on a project for the 2008 Xprize cup. (unreasonablerocket.blogspot.com) or (http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2007/10/qa-unreasonable.html) I've been using RC servo connectors for all low current connections both sensor and control connections. They are cheap and light. Alas I'm not really happy with them and I'm looking for an alternative... I'm looking for a small 2,3,and 4 pin connector familly. My requirements (In rough order of need) 20 to 24ga wire capability. (16 to 28 prefered) Vibration resistant. Light weight. Both PCB mount and free hanging versions. Easy to assemble. Orderable from Digikey, Mouser or McMaster some other on-line vendor... Connector tooling cost is not a huge issue, connector costs are a bit more of an issue. The Ideal would have removable both crimp and solder cup removable pins. Paul
Small connector advice...
Started by ●November 15, 2007
Reply by ●November 15, 20072007-11-15
pbreed@netburner.com wrote:> I'm working on a project for the 2008 Xprize cup. > (unreasonablerocket.blogspot.com) or > (http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2007/10/qa-unreasonable.html) > > I've been using RC servo connectors for all > low current connections both sensor and control connections. > > They are cheap and light. > Alas I'm not really happy with them and I'm looking for an alternative... > > > I'm looking for a small 2,3,and 4 pin connector familly. > My requirements (In rough order of need) > 20 to 24ga wire capability. (16 to 28 prefered) > Vibration resistant. > Light weight. > Both PCB mount and free hanging versions. > Easy to assemble. > Orderable from Digikey, Mouser or McMaster some other on-line vendor... > > > Connector tooling cost is not a huge issue, > connector costs are a bit more of an issue. > The Ideal would have removable both crimp and solder cup removable pins.Molex have a wide range. See <http://www.molex.com/> -- ******************************************************************** Paul E. Bennett...............<email://Paul_E.Bennett@topmail.co.uk> Forth based HIDECS Consultancy Mob: +44 (0)7811-639972 Tel: +44 (0)1235-811095 Going Forth Safely ..... EBA. www.electric-boat-association.org.uk.. ********************************************************************
Reply by ●November 16, 20072007-11-16
pbreed@netburner.com wrote:> I've been using RC servo connectors for all > low current connections both sensor and control connections. > > They are cheap and light. > Alas I'm not really happy with them and I'm looking for an alternative... > > > I'm looking for a small 2,3,and 4 pin connector familly. > My requirements (In rough order of need) > 20 to 24ga wire capability. (16 to 28 prefered) > Vibration resistant. > Light weight. > Both PCB mount and free hanging versions. > Easy to assemble. > Orderable from Digikey, Mouser or McMaster some other on-line vendor...Hi, Paul. http://www.jst.com makes some of the smallest connectors I've found, with complementing board sockets (e.g. SH series: 28-ga., 1A, 50V). Not all variants are available through distribution, but IIRC can be had direct in reasonable quantity. They will also do cable assembly to your spec with crimp or IDC. Not sure about solder versions. Tools are more geared toward production machines than hand crimping, though - easier to have them make the cables. I'll be curious to hear what else you turn up in the 28-ga. range, especially if hand crimp tools are available for small volume. Cheers, Richard
Reply by ●November 16, 20072007-11-16
On Thu, 15 Nov 2007 14:47:36 -0800, pbreed@netburner.com wrote:>I'm working on a project for the 2008 Xprize cup. >(unreasonablerocket.blogspot.com) or >(http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2007/10/qa-unreasonable.html) > >I've been using RC servo connectors for all >low current connections both sensor and control connections. > >They are cheap and light. >Alas I'm not really happy with them and I'm looking for an alternative... > > >I'm looking for a small 2,3,and 4 pin connector familly. >My requirements (In rough order of need) >20 to 24ga wire capability. (16 to 28 prefered) >Vibration resistant. >Light weight. >Both PCB mount and free hanging versions. >Easy to assemble. >Orderable from Digikey, Mouser or McMaster some other on-line vendor... > > >Connector tooling cost is not a huge issue, >connector costs are a bit more of an issue. >The Ideal would have removable both crimp and solder cup removable pins.Harwin might have what you need. (http://www.harwin.com) A lot of what they have are available from other manufactureres as well, but hardwin has at least got proper technical info. Regards Anton Erasmus
Reply by ●November 16, 20072007-11-16
On Thu, 15 Nov 2007 22:46:28 -0700, "Richard H." <rh86@no.spam> wrote:>pbreed@netburner.com wrote: >> I've been using RC servo connectors for all >> low current connections both sensor and control connections. >> >> They are cheap and light. >> Alas I'm not really happy with them and I'm looking for an alternative... >> >> >> I'm looking for a small 2,3,and 4 pin connector familly. >> My requirements (In rough order of need) >> 20 to 24ga wire capability. (16 to 28 prefered) >> Vibration resistant. >> Light weight. >> Both PCB mount and free hanging versions. >> Easy to assemble. >> Orderable from Digikey, Mouser or McMaster some other on-line vendor... > >Hi, Paul. > >http://www.jst.com makes some of the smallest connectors I've found, >with complementing board sockets (e.g. SH series: 28-ga., 1A, 50V). Not >all variants are available through distribution, but IIRC can be had >direct in reasonable quantity. > >They will also do cable assembly to your spec with crimp or IDC. Not >sure about solder versions. Tools are more geared toward production >machines than hand crimping, though - easier to have them make the cables. > >I'll be curious to hear what else you turn up in the 28-ga. range, >especially if hand crimp tools are available for small volume.Yes JST has a very nice range. Their Hand crimp tools are horrendously expensive. A simple hand-crimp tool for their PH Range (2mm pitch) cost us over US$1000. They have a slightly cheaper one at around US$700, but this is absolutely horrible to use. If you go that route, pay the extra 30%. We do low quantities, so it is problematic to have them done by JST themselves. What we have found to work quite well, is to have them crimp some wires of various lengths and colours. We then manually insert these into connectors as required. Regards Anton Erasmus
Reply by ●November 16, 20072007-11-16
Anton Erasmus wrote:> Yes JST has a very nice range. Their Hand crimp tools are horrendously > expensive. A simple hand-crimp tool for their PH Range (2mm pitch) > cost us over US$1000. They have a slightly cheaper one at around > US$700, but this is absolutely horrible to use. If you go that route, > pay the extra 30%. > We do low quantities, so it is problematic to have them done by JST > themselves. What we have found to work quite well, is to have them > crimp some wires of various lengths and colours. We then manually > insert these into connectors as required.Ditto. They can make a lot of cables for the price of one crimper, and making cables isn't the best use of my time.
