On 8/21/19 6:47 AM, Dan Atchison via TowerTalk wrote:
I have been using Cinch Jones plugs/sockets (series 300) for quick
disconnects in my shack for years, but they are becoming increasingly
difficult to find. What are people using today for easy, multi-wire,
in-line quick disconnects, i.e. rotor cables, stack matches, etc?
Anderson power poles - you can gang up to around 10 before the
insertion/separation force gets pretty high.
Molex rectangular multi pin connectors - Not great for daily mate/demate
cycles, but easy to install. Various pin sizes available for different
currents. You can cut the latches off and they'll stay mated, at least
in a low vibration environment.
Circular Plastic Connectors (like the MIL 38999) - easy to mate/demate,
and they have that nice bayonet locking ring. Assembly is about the same
as the Molex
In both of the latter cases, get some tooling to make life easy - the
right crimper die and the little round hollow tool for
inserting/removing pins from the housing. Total tooling cost is probably
< $10.
XLR type connectors - great in 3, 4, 5 pin varieties. Rugged (you can
step on them without breaking). I've not bought any for more than 10
years, but back then, the 5 pin were substantially more expensive. You
also want to be careful using the 3 pin, if there's any audio circuits
around that might get accidentally mated.
Things I've tried over the years that didn't work so well:
Sub D connectors - yes, lots of pins, dense, etc. but if you step on the
plug side, the metal shroud bends. Pins are easy to bend and break.
Modular phone jacks - nice up to 8 conductors, but only accepts a few
kinds/sizes of wire. Great for jumpers and patch panels, and there are
modular to pigtail adapters.
Round DIN connectors in various sizes. The 5 pin is most common, but
they're available with 8 or more pins, both in full size (roughly 3/4")
to mini. The pins easily break or bend, and the metal shield seems to
be easily damaged.
LEMO - multipin, really rugged when mated. Wretchedly expensive. Hard to
assemble.
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