Advice needed - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: Baliszoft
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 01:06:04 pm
content: I got this small board, which consists of a 128x64 GLCD module, a beeper, and two connectors (RJ45 female and USB Type-B female). On the bottom, there is a pic. It is a custom job, it has nothing to do with pc networking i was just using the RJ45 because of the easily available networking cables. Now i want to make this board smaller in height (i am going to use a COG display). I could use a mini USB connector, but i could not find a replacement for the RJ45. Can you suggest me a 8 pole connector which is preferably not wider than the RJ45, but still lower? Pin headers are no go, as this is going to be a commercial product.

author: peter.mitchell
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 02:51:27 pm
content: Could you just mount the socket on the reverse of the board?

author: Baliszoft
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 03:01:07 pm
content: Uhm well, yes. I want to make the board and its enclosure as thin as possible.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 03:05:49 pm
content: There's a round connector that looks exactly the same as a S-Video connector but with more pins.just googled, its called a 9 pin mini-DINhttp://www.allpinouts.org/index.php/9_pin_mini-DIN_%28VIVO%29Its often used on videocards for the VIVO cable (video in and video out) and carries multiple input/output channelsS-video, composite, component etc..It might be a little lower than an rj45

author: Baliszoft
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 03:39:10 pm
content: Hmm. Not a bad idea. Thanks! I will check how it could work out. The rj45 stlyle plug has a big advantage though: it has a lock and that comes quite handy.

author: Baliszoft
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 03:44:04 pm
content: Checked this:http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/28805.pdfSadly it has got the same height as the rj45 :/.

author: Circuitous
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 06:28:40 pm
content: Do you really need all 8 of the ethernet wires? If you aren't using POE, then you should only need 4 connections.The only complication in replacing the RJ-45 is if it has built-in magnetics.

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 06:56:24 pm
content: some connector like this one is lockedhttp://www.ebay.com/itm/5pcs-Aviation-Plug-Male-Female-Wire-Panel-Connector-16mm-8-Pin-GX16-8-/400340089966

author: WBB
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 07:06:49 pm
content: Mini HDMI? It's small and has plenty of pins.

author: Baliszoft
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 08:03:03 pm
content: Quote from: Circuitous on November 20, 2012, 06:28:40 pmYes, i need all the 8 wires. It is not used for ethernet.

author: Baliszoft
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 08:07:17 pm
content: Quote from: kripton2035 on November 20, 2012, 06:56:24 pmThese are really cool. Too bad, that they got the same height as the rj45.I would need something around 6-7mm max.I already thought about HDMI, but they are a bit fragile imho.

author: daedalus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 08:41:45 pm
content: any reason you cant just use a molex or jst connector? both do locking connectors in a variety of form factors, and are relatively cheap. I tend to use picoblade/picoclasp in a lot of the boards I design, picoblade is only 3.5mm height.if this is a product then you should avoid abusing commonly seen sockets. Users expect an rj45 to be Ethernet, and a hdmi to be video, if you use them for something different you better be damn sure that neither your device or their tv/computer are damaged when the stupider ones hook them up. Some footnote in the manual wont really cut it, as most wont ever read it.

author: Baliszoft
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 09:06:03 pm
content: Quote from: daedalus on November 20, 2012, 08:41:45 pmYes, you are right in every aspect. I am however keen to use mini-DIN type connectors, with a longer wire soldered on the board and a receptacle. To make the life harder, this wire has to go thgough a grommet on a cars firewall

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 09:10:44 pm
content: Quote from: Baliszoft on November 20, 2012, 08:07:17 pmthen you have these available in 6-7mm height :http://octopart.com/43020-0800-molex-14503http://octopart.com/b8b-ph-sm4-tb%28lf%29%28sn%29-jst-248904http://octopart.com/1793380000-weidmuller-246712http://octopart.com/22-12-1082-molex-247530

author: hlavac
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2012, 10:54:43 am
content: How about these -plug,socket? Looks like RJ45, but flatter, with clips on the sides.

author: Baliszoft
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2012, 11:30:16 am
content: Quote from: hlavac on November 21, 2012, 10:54:43 amExcellent find, thanks! I could seriously consider this, if it wasn't this expensiveand the receptacle is still too high.

author: Baliszoft
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2012, 11:32:05 am
content: Quote from: kripton2035 on November 20, 2012, 09:10:44 pmLooking at these, too.