Need longer tip plugs - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: Analog Kid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2024, 12:00:55 am
content: Wasn't quite sure where to post this; I hate to clutter up the Test Equipment forum with such a picayune problem.Tip plugs: probably the most mundane electronic parts imaginable. I need some to make new test leads for a multimeter. I have some plugs, but it turns out they're not long enough to reach into the meter's sockets.Standard tip plug diameter is 0.08" (2mm). The plugs I have, and just about all the ones I was able to find online, are a little less than 1/2" (12mm) long. I need them at least about 3/4" (19mm). Any idea where to find them? And is there a name for the longer ones?I couldn't find any at Digikey, which was surprising. Their parametric search unfortunately doesn't include plug length as one of the parameters. I looked at a bunch of datasheets there, and all the ones I found were all a bit less than 1/2" long.Jameco was a similar bust, with the added annoyance that their search function is not only not parametric but gives all kinds of spurious results.If worse comes to worst I can always make something out of a nail and a plastic sleeve, but it'd be nice to get the right thing.

author: J-R
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2024, 01:57:01 am
content: I've bumped into this eBay store a few times over the years; maybe they have some ideas:https://www.ebay.com/itm/232630799620

author: Analog Kid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2024, 02:23:20 am
content: Thanks. That looks like a good resource for those who need complete probes, or something custom-made.I'm just looking for the parts pieces here.

author: George Edmonds
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2024, 05:11:11 am
content: HiOlder multi meters of say the 1970/1980 era manufactured in China or surrounding countries used the plugs that you are looking, but they were normally moulded on as part the entire probe assembly.You may have some luck searching eBay for 2mm banana plugs as they are used as speaker connectors by the audio brigade.G Edmonds

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2024, 06:11:00 am
content: DIY is an option if you are somewhat handy with power hand tools and take inspiration from these:Vintage split Wander plugs (3mm dia)5/64" or 2mm phosphor bronze spit pins are available in lengths up to around 50mm or even longer. To use as a plug, you need an externally threaded collar, bore 2mm, slotted to take the head of the split pin + an internally threaded plastic cover. Some makes of inserts for repairing/reinforcing threaded holes in light alloys have the required exterior thread and slot, and the M2 size (or possibly M2.5) could simply be drilled out to 2mm plain bore.The covers are a little trickier, but plain cylindrical ones could be made from colored delrin rod, with no more tools than a drill press with vice and a split wooden jig to hold the rod - drill through axially to the wire diameter, drill part way to the split pin head width, then to the insert exterior thread minor diameter, for the depth of the insert. Now you've got to tap them to the insert exterior thread. If you cant readily obtain the tap, Delrin is soft enough that you could get away with loctiting one of the inserts on a bolt, then cutting flutes in it with a Dremel cutoff wheel, taking care to get a sharp leading edge, then use that as a tap. For low voltage use, you could also consider 3D printed covers.However that's a *LOT* of work to make a couple of plugs, and the parts and materials are difficult to obtain in small quantities so lets hope someone else can find you an 'off the shelf' supplier.

author: J-R
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2024, 09:04:21 am
content: Quote from: Analog Kid on November 09, 2024, 02:23:20 amNo, they sell just the parts as well. They may have a solution or know of a supplier for what you're looking for.

author: Overspeed
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2024, 09:18:29 am
content: HelloYou can use brazing rod available in 2 mm or brass rod available for model making and cast an epoxy handle after solderingRegardsOS

author: Later
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 09, 2024, 11:29:20 am
content: 速卖通上买2MM的香蕉插头

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2024, 11:57:19 am
content: @Later: a 2mm pin plug and a 2mm banana plug are NOT the same thing.In the pin plug system, the contact springs are in the socket. In the banana plug system, the contact springs are in the plugs.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2024, 12:20:04 pm
content: Quote from: Analog Kid on November 09, 2024, 12:00:55 amDo you actually need 19mm pin length, or is that only because the socket itself is recessed (i.e. the plug body is preventing the pin from being inserted fully)?If it’s just the fat plug body that’s the problem, how about making your own plugs, e.g. by using 2mm electrical contacts (like this:https://www.te.com/commerce/DocumentDelivery/DDEController?Action=showdoc&DocId=Data+Sheet%7FY6-E542-000-000%7FA%7Fpdf%7FEnglish%7FENG_DS_Y6-E542-000-000_A.pdf%7F61-0205-011-000) and then using heat shrink to insulate part of it to make a grip? I’ve done that for various pins to make test leads (for example, banana plug to single d-sub pins and sockets).

author: Analog Kid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2024, 10:15:04 pm
content: Quote from: tooki on November 09, 2024, 12:20:04 pmBoth, really; the contacts are recessed far enough that the "regular" length ones (~12mm) just don't reach.QuoteThose would be perfect. However, not sure how to find a source for those: do you have any links to purchasable items?And I'd do better than just heat shrink, make a proper plastic sleeve for them. Esthetics, dontcha know.

author: MarkF
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2024, 10:34:11 pm
content: They look an awful lot like the old Radio Shack analog multimeter test probes.On eBay, I found theseRadio Shack 278-712B Right Angle Pin Tip Plug Test Probe LeadsYou would have to ask the seller to measure the plug diameter and length.

author: Analog Kid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2024, 11:08:21 pm
content: Those would probably fit.But gedouttahere: I ain't paying $20 for something I can cobble together for pennies.

author: MarkF
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2024, 12:07:20 am
content: Found:4mm Banana Jack to 2mm Pin Tip Plug

author: Analog Kid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2024, 12:17:51 am
content: Yeah, for $11.60 for 4.Thanks but no thanks.

author: Later
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 10, 2024, 02:43:10 am
content: 这种应该可以用，长度是22MMhttps://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?abbucket=7&id=741996057721&ns=1&pisk=ftWjhRxhvq0XN9V4OcEyPEgjUhJ_INwElctOxGHqXKpvW_sh5ErgiK5W5aQWkxr0iCL1oKdGgF825dsGRuzULJScmdAY8yyEeScRuKKvXELYXQK6D-aza4ScmdYt4VFFwi06jQHtMhLTVLKwYqp9MFp-wUxZMFQ9kQ3JAHv9BdQ9y4K6DjHtBnn-yUxnBnhxMbIJYH0vXIQO2uti6ZMWXStdculMAIpxjW_HPAHIxCAYvgcZnxfyDI6txUH94TtXGeIfnEhJ93BPFBRrbPJRx_7vVpwrMpI56w1dSWlkhGCASQ_0rbTPwtj9WQotLgs5X6R5UkeHhKLA_KjZArS5hZScFGotwK9VNB6XpJ0v7_SCCh6gS8_CxTbW2we_kg-tLeNiVfTHjAtW8uZSsfbESQyocKMjBIKkcyr7VqcMM3xW8uZSsfAvqnszVugms&priceTId=2150421c17312061918228507ec31b&skuId=5291136395384&spm=a21n57.1.item.160.3757523cNYoWZY&utparam=%7B%22aplus_abtest%22%3A%226e3767b51a618b351c27ad8df203c694%22%7D&xxc=taobaoSearch

author: Analog Kid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2024, 03:16:29 am
content: Fine. It's in Chinese. I don't read Chinese.So how many more unhelpful irrelevant replies will there be? C'mon, keep 'em coming!

author: Nominal Animal
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2024, 05:01:16 am
content: Non-acid curing RTV silicones as used for automotive gaskets are excellent for grippy bits.You can also use more putty-like silicones like Sugru, Oogoo, Kintsuglue and others to mold into the grippy bits. You'll want to use gloves for the molding/shaping, as otherwise your fingerprints can be left in the surface. With silicone, just wet a finger to get a smooth surface. For electrical stuff, do check their conductivity properties, though.Next time you do SMD soldering, prepare a metal or bamboo grill skewer with a sphericalish silicone droplet at the end, like supersized matchsticks, by dipping the ends in gasket silicone. For best results, let it cure a bit between dips, and do a few thin layers. Otherwise it'll end up lopsided, or you need to make a mold to let them sit in while curing.If you get the right durometer stuff (depends on what kind of hardness you prefer from your pokin' bit), they'll be nice tools to hold small parts in place while soldering. Many automotive gasket silicones can handle the temperatures for extended periods, and don't cost much. I always keep an eye open for cheap, low-durometer (soft) non-acid curing RTV silicone tubes myself.

author: J-R
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2024, 05:23:59 am
content: Quote from: Analog Kid on November 10, 2024, 03:16:29 amI don't know why anyone would be motivated to continue to help. You're coming across as a jerk. You want everyone to waste their time searching the internet for you, but you're not willing to spend $10-$20 to solve the problem?

author: Analog Kid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2024, 05:42:38 am
content: Quote from: J-R on November 10, 2024, 05:23:59 amSpend $10-20 to solve a problemthat I can solve for pennies?

author: J-R
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2024, 05:43:51 am
content: Quote from: Analog Kid on November 10, 2024, 05:42:38 amTHEN SOLVE IT?

author: Analog Kid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2024, 06:05:47 am
content: So you don't understand why I get annoyed when I pose a question regarding agoddamn tip plug, a penny-ante item, which I need a longer version of--something that should cost, oh, I don't know, less than a dollar, and I get the following responses:Someone's eBay auction for a set of test leads for $19.95Another eBay auction for a set of tip-to-banana adapters (not at all what I was looking for, btw) for $11.60A listing for yet another set of tip-to-banana adapters in a language I don't understand (or perhaps I should just drop everything and learn Chinese for the occasion?)If that's your idea of helpful, I just don't know what to say.As I said, if worse comes to worst I'll just make a damn plug out of a nail. I would just like a ready-made solution if one is available and doesn't cost too much.You'll notice, BTW, that some people here have been kind enough to actually give some helpful advice in this thread.It's people like you who make life ever so enjoyable. If you really want to be helpful, fine. Otherwise, let me suggest as politely as I know how that you just STFU.

author: J-R
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2024, 07:59:31 am
content: Actually, all of the posts were very much on point with regard to trying to help solve your problem. My link to the eBay seller came along with a specific next suggested step, and if you scroll down the listing he offers additional services upon request. Not to mention his eBay rating is stellar. How hard is it to just send him a message via eBay and ask if he has a suggestion?? If he doesn't, no worries, you're just trying to solve a problem and sometimes a path doesn't work out.The tip to banana jack idea is actually quite good, because it allows you to use many popular test leads, since banana jacks are so much more common.Quote from: Analog Kid on November 10, 2024, 03:16:29 amThere is zero excuse for language concerns these days, as many browsers offer a translate function, as doeshttps://translate.google.comand even your smartphone.I think that comment is what really made you look like a jerk in my eyes. Even if you didn't like some of the replies, just ignore them. I think the only time I would really approve of a minor flame of someone is for some of the high-post-count forum users who seem to just post things without thinking, which clutters up the conversation.

author: Haenk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2024, 09:14:24 am
content: Quote from: Analog Kid on November 10, 2024, 06:05:47 amWelcome to my ignore list, well deserved.And yes, wanting shiny, great things but not wanting to spend any money is great. Just use your old rusty nail, I guess that will work out fine. But if you already had that solution in mind, there is no reason to bother the forum.EOM

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2024, 11:35:43 am
content: Quote from: Analog Kid on November 09, 2024, 10:15:04 pmI found those on DigiKey by going into connectors > circular connectors > circular connector contacts, then filtering by pin size (2mm, though I would also look for Size 12 contacts, since those should be 2.05mm, well within tolerances) and pin gender. I usually filter by “in stock only” first, but I don’t remember if I did or not in that search.FYI, if you don’t know where to find an electronic part that you have a part number for, a) the manufacturer websites often have a distributor stock check function, and b) use octopart.com to search across the majority of major distributors. I use it all the time.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2024, 11:37:55 am
content: Quote from: Analog Kid on November 10, 2024, 12:17:51 amConsider what your time is worth.One rule of thumb says to value your time off at 3x as high as your hourly wage.Of course, if you simply enjoy making it yourself, we all understand that.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2024, 11:39:00 am
content: Quote from: J-R on November 10, 2024, 05:23:59 amSame attitude as in his wire stripper thread. Nasty attitude there, too.

author: Analog Kid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2024, 06:09:13 pm
content: Quote from: tooki on November 10, 2024, 11:35:43 amNow thatishelpful; I've known about DigiKey's parametric search function for a long time. However, look at the bewildering array of stuff you're faced with here: Circular Connectors has 2,754,014 items; Circular Connector Contacts narrows it to 5,775. Filtering on 2mm and in stock winnows it down to a manageable 70 items. But without knowing what to search for it's a jungle out there.So thanks for that; I've decided that unless I find some inexpensive ready-made solution I'm going to go ahead and make my own here. Turns out that ordinary copper 12 AWG solid wire is the perfect size, and there's lots of that here. Sure it's soft, but with care it should work well for this application. Now I just need to find some suitable plastic tubing.

author: Analog Kid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2024, 07:38:47 pm
content: Well, I have proof of concept at least:Plug is 12 gauge copper wire, with a bit of insulation (green) and a bit of heat shrink (3/32") on top inside what looks like piece of PVC tubing. All super-glued together. Not the prettiest but solid and it'll work for now.It'd be nice to find some larger-diameter plastic tubing for the body, so I'll be looking for that (but not at any electronics suppliers).

author: Analog Kid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2024, 10:02:06 pm
content: Nice what a little paint will do:Hey, now I can sell these on Ali Express!

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2024, 10:06:15 pm
content: Quote from: Analog Kid on November 10, 2024, 06:09:13 pmDigikey’s parametric search is, overall, the best parametric search in the industry, and by a pretty big margin IMHO. (Others occasionally do better in some specific way or parameter, but in the totality, only Mouser comes close, and it’s still a clear second place if you ask me.) But yes, you still need to spend some time familiarizing yourself with the taxonomy and the parameters. I’ve been relying on digikey’s taxonomy and parameters for years now, and I still sometimes end up in the wrong place. Nonetheless, I am so much more proficient on their website than any other distributor’s, so they are hands-down the first place I look for things.Another gold star for DigiKey is how they handle error reports: they always respond, and most of the time they fix the error right away. On rare occasions it’s taken a bit of back-and-forth when they’ve misunderstood the problem, but in the end they come around.In a way, it’s shocking how bad many distributors’ and manufacturers’ parametric searches are. They often have decent taxonomies, but just terrible parametric searches. In some there’s good data but terrible user interfaces. In others the user interface is fine, but the data quality renders the UI pointless. And others have terrible UIs and terrible data. And the worst have no parametric searches at all.(One that truly baffles me is Conrad: they have reasonably good metadata in many categories. But many of the parameters are not available for filtering and don’t appear in the results tables so you can’t even sort by them. Why do the data entry if you don’t let people use it to find stuff?!?)Quote from: Analog Kid on November 10, 2024, 06:09:13 pmIndeed, non-metric contact pin sizes are just the diameter of that AWG solid wire. So indeed a size 12 pin is the same diameter as 12 AWG solid wire!

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2024, 10:09:30 pm
content: Quote from: Analog Kid on November 10, 2024, 10:02:06 pmOne of life’s small joys is a full rainbow of colored heat shrink tubing.

author: Analog Kid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2024, 11:40:42 pm
content: Quote from: tooki on November 10, 2024, 10:06:15 pmYep, I totally agree; they've got the best system I've seen anywhere.I wish Jameco would clean up their web site: they don't have parametric search, but they allow you to search within results, which theoretically should get you to what you want quickly. Problem is that their descriptions are all over the place: apparently different people there use different terminology, so if you're looking for, say, a 120--> 12 volt center-tapped transformer, you'll find "12VAC", "12VCT", "12.6VCT", etc. Plus the search function is broken anyway and gives spurious results that have nothing to do with your search term.I plan on writing them an email about this, nice and diplomatic, pointing out the flaws in their system. We'll see how that goes. Other than that, I really like Jameco.Yes, taxonomy is what you need to know here.

author: Martian Tech
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 11, 2024, 04:01:37 am
content: Quote from: Analog Kid on November 10, 2024, 06:05:47 amAttitude Check:Posts on this forum don't disappear once your immediate problem is solved. Three years from now someone else may be looking to solve the same or a similar problem, but they may not have the same constraints as you in terms of cost or other factors that you may or may not have mentioned up front. So responses (as long as they are on-topic) that you may not find helpful because they do not address your specific problem and requirements may be very useful to to that someone else.

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 11, 2024, 04:44:32 am
content: ger a decent DVM with normal bannana jacks, I fond them for perhaps $1..5j