Please help to identify connectors - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: pjw
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 29, 2014, 09:30:01 am
content: I have an old scope/multimeter/logic/counter combo - Digicon PS320,quite dated but still working fine. It got 8 channel "Logic Probe" feature,but requires special cable/connector to use it. I was looking intopossibility of buying it, but without success. So, I would like to buildone, but I am unable to identify the type / maker of the connector.There are two similar connectors on this unit, one for the printer26 pin, and another one for the "Logic Probe" - 10 pin - the oneI would need to find. It is quite difficult for me to do the precisemeasurements, but pin pitch seems to be close to 1.75-1.8 mm.Please see attached images.Any helpful answers would be much appreciated.

author: Vgkid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2014, 03:48:32 pm
content: That looks like a male gpib connector. From the picture are those individual pins, or they like the male gpib connector.

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2014, 09:29:58 pm
content: Quote from: Vgkid on March 29, 2014, 03:48:32 pmThe picture only shows 20 pins, gpib is 24 pins.I couldn't find any reference to the Digicon PS-320 anywhere. Do you have the manual for it?Or any other information where to look?

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2014, 09:48:24 pm
content: Only references are in Thai and other than specifying that it has an RS232-C output I don't know.A picture of the full back might help to see if there are other connectors, maybe it's a custom rs232 connector.Edit: I guess that's the printer port that you referred to. No idea on the connector.Only information (quite big but low resolution) I found is here:Digicon Model PS-320But it's mostly in Thai.

author: fluxcapacitor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2014, 10:41:06 pm
content: Its also known as a ESCORT RC-320 .Heres an ESCORT catalogue :http://shop.micronplus.ro/pdf/escort.pdfIt does have a part number for the optional RS-232 cable ,but further down the catalogue its not shown in the accessories .

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2014, 11:23:09 pm
content: Well I did find out the part number LP-320 as in Logic Probe. But can't find anything about it.Maybe you can try on automotive forums since it seems that was the main business for Escort, seems they been out of business since 2008 and looking at the wayback machine it seems the DSO that you have was phased out since they created the web page.btw now their web page is a taiwan escort service.I don't know Czech, but this is what it says about the logic analyzerQuoteGoogle translate doesn't help much eitherdocumenthttp://www.osciloskop.wz.cz/manual-osciloskop.pdf

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2014, 12:44:32 am
content: Well, it seems it was also a Tenma 72-5075 but came up empty as well other than this picture of both the RS-232 next to the connector in question.Seems to me that they used the same custom connector but the serial one has more pins of course. so if you can find the PC-320 Printer Adaptor Cable or the RC-320 RS-232 Cable the LP-320 will be a shorter version.But I don't get it since it only has two connectors. Maybe the LP-320 attaches somewhere else?

author: fluxcapacitor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2014, 04:58:27 am
content: i think i found a manual on elektroda.pl but i can`t download it as im not a member, and you need 1 point ,whatever that is to download the filehttp://www.elektroda.pl/rtvforum/viewtopic.php?t=1352725&highlight=palmscope&sid=

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2014, 05:10:39 am
content: Usually it means you have to contribute to the forum or something to obtain such point, some actually give you points upon registration, but I'm not going to even try.Maybe the OP can

author: pjw
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 30, 2014, 10:59:01 am
content: Guys, thank you very much for the input.@fluxcapacitor - great find, I managed to d/l it, and since that one is in my nativelanguage, it is way easier to read than the Thai xerox copy that I have hereI have tried to add it as an attachment, in case if anybody would need it, but evenafter compession is still larger than allowed 1 Mb (zipped = 1.82Mb).@miguelvp - yes, Tenma 72-5075 appear to be another badge name for this unit.As for the photo of the connector side od Tenma 72-5075 - those connectors are(from the left):1. 20-pin - logic probe port for LP-320 (one of my primary interest)2. 26-pin - printer port for Centronics printer BM-80D3. RS232 - looks like optically isolated port (Tx + Rx IR LEDs ?)So far, the only connector that remotely resembles the one that I am after is theone at that link:http://www.leocom.kr/DF12%2850%29-50DP-05V%2886%29/Hirose-Electric-Co-Ltd/%EC%BB%A4%EB%84%A5%ED%84%B0/PCB%EC%9A%A9/%EC%A3%BC%EB%AC%B8%EC%BD%94%EB%93%9C/1700420608but I am fairly certain that this resemblance is too remote to be of any use.What bugs me is that, I don't really think they would go all the way out todesign connectors just for this particular unit. Hence, they must have alreadybeen on the market, used in some other devices, but so far I haven'tencountered anything like that.Anybody please ?

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2014, 06:06:19 pm
content: Quote from: pjw on March 30, 2014, 10:59:01 amIf you find the type of connector that one uses, then find the same with 20 pins, they both seem to have the same pitch. If you actually have one and want to risk it, hack the connector to only use the 20 pins but you will have to take the cable apart, sometimes they solder pins together inside the connector.I did search for 1.75 and 1.8 mm pitch connectors and I can't find any, board to board, edge connectors, backplane connectors might be the closest you can get to it.

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2014, 06:13:21 pm
content: Actually the males in the device have connector fingers.So you can edge yourself two pcb boards with that spacing and at least 2 drill holes near the connector to adjust them.Then maybe have the spring loaded or have a way to fine adjust the spacing between the two boards and you have your connector.4 drill holes two near the connector and 2 farther to deal with the spacing being parallel will help too.The thing is, take advantage that the connector has fingers and it will keep good contact with two pcb boards, as long as you design it so it doesn't move left and right.

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2014, 06:34:11 pm
content: At the end of the pcb jig you could put a standard male connector that takes easy to find logic analyzer probes. like the ones a cheap hantek uses.Or if you feel like a challenge, remove the existing connector from the board and put a male connector that takes a common logic analyzer cable like the one pictured below.

author: pjw
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 03, 2014, 02:15:33 am
content: miguelvp,the hack with two PCB sandwich sounds like a very interesting "last resort" solution.As a matter of fact I did resorted to similar solution once, using PCB as a connector,when I got on the flee market PDA barcode reader without charger, and wanted tomake a charger connector. It worked fine, but that one was just a single surface.I would rather avoid fitting another connector route, as this little unit is kind of neatas it is. Bought it back then for equivalent of 1,800 USD, and it was working just fineever since. So finding the original connector (or LS-320 probe) would still be the bestsolution, but chances are rather slim.

author: fluxcapacitor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2014, 10:27:48 pm
content: The escort 95/97 multimeter uses RS-232C cable afaik .I found this ,it might be usefull .http://bytes.com/topic/misc/answers/784525-help-escort-97-multimeterhttp://bytes.com/attachments/attachment/1878d1238612017/protocol.txt

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2014, 01:01:39 am
content: Centronics 20 pin connector. DFP micro centronic 20, MDR20 connector. But I can't find the pitch anywhere.Also half pitch centronics connector, maybe??The housing on your scope is rectangular so even if it matches you might need to hack the centronics connector (if it matches the pitch) to make it square.It's hard to figure out the size from your pictures, but here is a dvi-d to dfp-20 male adapter for comparison.

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2014, 01:06:42 am
content: female dfp 20 connector will look like this, but I think they are too small.But it might have something to do with centronics connectors or half pitch centronics connectors.

author: chipwitch
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2014, 02:50:35 am
content: If it's a matter of restoration of a rare and/or valuable piece of equipment, you could always have an adapter custom made. It wouldn't necessarily have to look like the original plug. Maybe some kind of hybrid/hack. It wouldn't be cheap, but a body of delrin or ptfe should be easy enough to machine to support the pcb contact idea. Then the scope could remain original. I know I could design and machine something but there are lots of people out there way more qualified than I am. Hobbling something respectable together is certainly within the skill set of more than a few on this forum, I'm sure. Heck, 3-d printer anyone?

author: pjw
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 04, 2014, 06:40:33 am
content: @chipwitchwell, probably not _that_ rare or valuablebut the idea offabricating the custom connector for it is somewhat tempting. Thetrick with etching contacts on PCB, suggested by miguelvp, mightbe just the right part of the solution. Just to make the wholecontraption rigid enough, and away we go.@miguelvpyou might be onto something. Indeed out of types of connectorsCentronics seems to be the closest match. And indeed, the onlyproblem is that they all are D-type while Escort's are rectangular.But if contact pitch would match - it still would be a fare tradeoff.@fluxcapacitorEscort 97 is slightly different animal (multimeter only), but maybesome structures of the RS232 protocol are common of those two.I have save it in case I would ever get ahold of RS232 cable.Thank you for your input. However I had completly no luck in findingslightest bit of data on Logic Probe connector on Escort 320 so far.

author: pjw
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 04, 2014, 07:25:56 am
content: It seems that I have been feeding rubbish here, for what I apologize.Finally I broke down and disassembled it a bit to make more accuratemeasurements. If I am not mistaken (again) the contact pitch is 1.25mm. Please see attached photos.Still have no clue what connector it is, but at least dimensions arecloser to reality.

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2014, 07:30:25 am
content: Quote from: pjw on April 04, 2014, 07:25:56 amMDR20 (DFP micro centronics 20) is 1.27mm pitchhttp://multimedia.3m.com/mws/mediawebserver?mwsId=66666UF6EVsSyXTt4XfXm8s6EVtQEVs6EVs6EVs6E666666--Edit: 1.27 * 12 because you measured the 24 pin one is 15.24mm since your ruler is a bit to the left seems like a match to me.Edit2: actually it's .050?, so 12 pins should be 0.6 inches. But it's an accurate conversion 25.4 mm being one inch.Edit3: oops seems you have 26 pins so it's 13 each that will make it 1.1923mm pitch. Anyways you can measure it better than I can from my chair. the connector linked above is 1.27mm pitch or 0.05"And your pin 1 (position 1) on the 20 pin connector seems to not be connected or at least it doesn't have solder on it.

author: fluxcapacitor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2014, 02:01:24 pm
content: Quote from: pjw on April 04, 2014, 07:25:56 ami tried to find any info with those numbers on the connectors , 4363/4368 no luck .I found 1 reference to the number on the pcbhttp://www.handmades.com.br/forum/index.php?topic=5306.15Agilent bought escort ,they only supported a few models though afaik.If you email them they might be able to help, its a long shot though.http://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/editorial.jspx?cc=GB&lc=eng&ckey=1441000&nid=-11143.0.00&id=1441000Also ,you could contact mcm regarding the tenma 72-5075http://www.mcmelectronics.com/manufacturer/TENMA/01001018For inquiries regarding software updates on Tenma products that are no longer available, please email tech@mcmelectronics.comtech (at) mcmelectronics.com

author: tekochip
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 18, 2014, 03:02:04 am
content: I have the part!The mating part is a 3M 05111173839, although there are other parts in the family that will mate to it. The pinout is:1:5V 2:Gnd3:5V 4:In55:In4 6:Gnd7:Gnd 8:In69:In3 10:Gnd11:Gnd 12:In713:In2 14:Gnd15:Gnd 16:In817:In1 18:5V19:Gnd 20:5VThe inputs are 5V logic only at a fairly low impedance, so you will need some sort of buffer. I built a board with a 3V and 1.8V regulator, along with a pair of `07 buffers. The board is designed to fit into a little tea tin, sort of like an Altoid's box, with a switch to go from 1.8V - 3V, and a connector that fits the Logic Saleae probe set because those are cheap and easy to get. Plus, I have spares.If anyone is interested I can post a schematic and I have spare parts as well.

author: pjw
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 18, 2014, 04:29:29 am
content: @tekochipHey, that's great news! I am most certainly interested in schematic,please do post it in. I did not manage to get connector yet, so I maybe interested in buying out one from you. More background info onyour project would be appreciated as well =)

author: tekochip
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 18, 2014, 12:18:25 pm
content: OK, here you go. There are other ways to buffer the probe, but this is quick and easy. I bought this scope back in `96, I think. I have other scopes, but this one is a real workhorse. I bought the RS232 interface when I bought the scope, but not the logic probe. Time passed, and now I really wanted to have the probe just to complete the scope.I located the connector, and snooped the pins to figure out what was what. The 5V out of the connector is current limited, and the inputs are protected 5V only at a fairly low impedance. Thus, you need a buffer. I added a 1.8/3V switch, just in case I ever need 1.8V. I believe the original from Tenma used comparators, it had a CMOS/TTL switch.I saved some tea tins, and laid out the board to fit in the tea tin using the Saleae probe.The files are Eagle board and schematic files.Use a 74LV07 for the gate.

author: pjw
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 19, 2014, 12:48:45 am
content: Great job! Thank you very much.I totally agree on the 'workhorse' part. After so many years, and few otherscopes acquired - it still takes a central place on my workbench.I bought mine probably about the same time. They were sort of ephemeralappearence. On sale for very short time, and then completly gone. I regretthat I did not decide to purchase RS232 and Logic back then.I will try to build the interface based on your schematic, and post results here.I have sent you PM regarding connectors.Thank you again for your post.