Buy/Make connector for proprietary socket - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: terriea
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2010, 03:41:40 am
content: Hi,My question is not purely electonics, but maybe someone here can have an answer.I'm looking for a way to connect to a device with some existing proprietary socket. In my particular case it's a connector for some video game consoles controller (playstation, dreamcast, gamecube,...), but the problem would be simmilar if I wanted to connect to an ipod or any other weird propietary connector.These kind of parts does not seem to exist when I search for parts providers, but I can find some Kits and projects using some (fuzeboxfor instance uses snes controller socket). I guess there must be a way to get these kind of parts.I'm wondering if there are some well known places to look for these parts, or if there is a way to create them with a few investment (or have them made in small quantity).I know there is always the solution of buying an existing controller, or extention cord, and mutilate it to get the parts. But it's far to be optimal in every way (price, availablity, no choice of cable length,...).

author: DJPhil
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2010, 09:07:46 am
content: Quote from: terriea on November 17, 2010, 03:41:40 amI can only give advice from the scavenging end of things, so this assumes you can't source or manufacture what you need (3D printing or CNC machine would help a lot).Ask around at the local console game shops and see if you can talk to a repair guy, they might know more from the industry side of things (and be able to place an order as an authorized dealer). You might also be able to convince them to keep a pile of busted controllers for you. Second hand stores and thrift stores are good for this sort of thing, as controllers are often thought of as useless without the console and priced very cheap.Is there a way to make your project work without proprietary connectors?

author: terriea
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2010, 12:48:57 pm
content: Thanks for the advice, i'll try to check with repair shops for broken parts.Prices tend to go rocket high for normal parts with the huge retro gaming.Just for another question on scavenging technic, as the connectors are always modled plastics it's impossible to easily completely replace the existing cable (if it's too short for instance), you have to add and solder a new cable to the existing one, but this tend to make an ugly and fragile joint. Not very good for a game controller where uncontolled movent can happend. Is there some woodoo trick to make this join as clean and strong as possible? Was thinking of a thermo retractible cable sheathing (not sure it's the rigth therm), but is there something else?Quote from: DJPhil on November 17, 2010, 09:07:46 amunfortunately no, it's for a multi-protocol controller. And i'd like to be able to plug it without modifying the console itself. And I'd prefer not buying existing adaptors for each kind of console, developping the multiprotocol part is the fun of this project ;-)

author: sonicj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2010, 02:56:56 pm
content: some of the older consoles are actually usb disguised as proprietary. ie: ps2, xbox you can pick up some cheap extension cable sets and cut them up to build adapters. the breakaway extension sets would be handy for this.linkheatshrink + nylon mesh sleeving is handy for coving up the unsightliness.linklook for a manufacturer name or part number on the connector. foxcon, jst, amphenol, etc.-sj

author: scrat
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2010, 06:50:11 pm
content: If you have a particular socket in mind, you can post some photos here, maybe someone can recognize it and know a place where it can be found, or suggest a way to connect using common material (as sonicj posted).

author: TheDirty
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2010, 09:02:21 pm
content: I have this problem when it comes to automotive connectors. ECU and control and many sensor connectors are near impossible to source. You can sometimes get part numbers, but you can only buy in large batches (+1000). Some people can get small batches in sample sizes, but you need to have access to a company that has a known relationship with the connector companies to get them. They don't give samples to some guy on the street.To the OP, many cheap Chinese sites like dealextreme have extension cables for controllers for cheap. I've seen people buy these to hack them up for the connectors.

author: sonicj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2010, 01:02:19 am
content: Quote from: TheDirty on November 17, 2010, 09:02:21 pmare you familiar withPAC? they mainly focus on a/v integration, but alot of that stuff shares the same bus now.you might also be interested inrighttorepair.org-sj

author: TheDirty
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2010, 01:46:53 am
content: Quote from: sonicj on November 18, 2010, 01:02:19 amI'm not looking for audio connectors, so PAC doesn't help me. I'm not certain how fighting for the right to have my car repaired where I want it is going to get me a harness connector for a car or motorcycle. Thanks, though.

author: sonicj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2010, 06:28:28 am
content: if the auto manufacturers had it their way, there would be no point in looking for 3rd party connectors because as soon as you repaired or replaced any OEM component the vehicle wouldn't function without a trip(bill) to the dealership. antitrust laws protect against this sort of blatant behavior, but often fall short of enforcing the less obvious lock-ins.replacement parts make up a substantial percentage of the total cost of a vehicle over it's usable lifespan. use of difficult to reproduce proprietary connectors and "black box" electronics makes repair by anyone other than the dealer difficult, impractically expensive, time consuming, or even impossible. 3rd party developers are often discouraged from producing compatible after-market equipment because they are faced with the same unnecessarily difficult/costly challenges as the consumer.nobody but the auto manufacturer and the harness maker benefit from the use of proprietary connectors. (well... and companies like PAC)-sj

author: tinsmith
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2010, 08:16:48 am
content: Male or female? If it's female, and if you don't need a lot of mechanical durability or whatever for repeated removal and reinsertion, you can do wonders with an appropriate gauge of solid wire and some hot glue.