Help needed identifying a Connector -- Bummer: All Efforts in Vain.... - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: TurboTom
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2016, 12:38:19 pm
content: I got myself an industrial X-Ray generator on the "bay" and now got to find a suitable cable socket to mate with the plug installed on the head unit. The connector appears to be of the M17 x 1 (metric) type with a pin layout that I've only found on MIL type amphenol ocnnectors (9 pin), but size-wise, they won't match. The connector on the X-ray head doesn't carry any inscriptions externally, and due to the isolation oil filling, I don't want to remove it. The dielectric is of the fused glass sealed type. Please see the attached photos. I would be glad if someone could point me in a direction where I can get a suitable mating cable socket. My own searches through the catalogs of the "usual suspects" turned out without result.Thanks,ThomasP.S. Please don't worry about safety issues and so on, I know what I'm doing and I've got suitable detection equipment for ionizing radiation.

author: edpalmer42
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2016, 03:59:07 pm
content: This looks the same as your connector rather than the mating one, but it might give you a hint.www.ebay.ca/itm/302036152308

author: TurboTom
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2016, 04:42:17 pm
content: Thanks for the hint. Unfortunately neither the thread nor the insert will fit. I already had a look at the Amphenol/Cannon MIL style 13-9 contact arrangement before but it's not an option.Cheers,Thomas

author: edpalmer42
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2016, 04:50:55 pm
content: How old is this generator? Maybe you need to be looking for a discontinued connector.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2016, 04:51:19 pm
content: That rectangular pin layout is unusual - probably easiest to use discrete contact pins and mould round them with hotmelt, epoxy or Polymorph.Or just solder & heatshrink a captive cable on.

author: TurboTom
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2016, 07:36:36 pm
content: The latest maintenance labels on the X-Ray Head are from 2009 and there's another one from 2008. Amazingly, there's a "Hot Surface" warning label on the unit and one of these permanent (melting wax) temperature indicators where even the 38°C field is not coloured (so it may possibly be a mint unit). The accompanying control PCB has the youngest components dating from 2006, so considering the low quantity such devices are produced, it's quite good match.As far as I was able to identify the device, it's a spare for a fully automatic bottle/can filling machine where it is used to check the filling level of the beverage through the metal / tinted glass of the container.The control PCB and the X-Ray-Head are a matched pair (probably to have the adjustment right for safe operation). I was able to figure out the interconnection without having to open the X-Ray-Head. Current configuration is 58kV and 80µA at the tube. A warning light on the control PCB will be illuminated if the voltage gets higher than 70kV (all found out by "simulation", as yet I didn't run a microamp through the tube). The EHT power supply appears to be pretty efficient -- at the proper frequency, the 50 ohms output of my function generator is sufficient to produce around 20kV of tube voltage! (without any current flowing except through the divider network that is).@MikeI guess you are right, I also accomodated myself with that idea already. I may be able to find a proper connector housing since Phoenix Contact offers M17*1 connectors that may screw on mechanically okay. Maybe I can use a 3D printed isolation insert to localize some standard contacts inside. I'll see what's possible with a reasonably limited amount of effort...Thanks and all the best,Thomas

author: helius
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2016, 07:57:29 pm
content: Hello, it looks like 22-20 arrangement of C-5015 series, but with one pin vacant.Matching circular connectors is hard. There are so many different series; even a Soviet GOST series which would be especially hard to source in the West.

author: Mr.B
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 19, 2016, 08:18:11 pm
content: Forum member Fraser has a lot of XRay equipment and a huge amount of XRay experience.He may be able to recognize the connector or at least give you a hint.

author: TurboTom
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2016, 11:52:30 pm
content: Thanks for all the contributions -- After having figured out the interconnection, I followed Mike's suggestion and initially prepared a set of individual wires with suitable connector inserts and the ends. The I set up the appropriate safety and monitoring measures, and powered up the assembly. Instead of the radiation monitoring equipment "going off", there was only a quite violent HT discharge audible inside the metal box and the whole unit was drawing a lot of current from the power supply. A re-check proved everything external of the box was configured correctly, so I decided to open the enclosure. What I found was rather frustrating: The X-Ray tube's glass envelope was shattered and obviously as such it's worthless.I don't know if there will be a chance to swap in a replacement tube (still got a small dental X-ray tube in the drawer) and all the other circuitry appears to be operational. But I'm not too sure if this tube will fit into the available space and if the X-ray window will be in the proper location. My primary attempt will be to sort the situation with the seller and only if this should turn out ineffective (or we find a solution that we both can live with), I'll consider trying to modify the device and swap in my "spare" tube. Whatsoever, attached are a few photos of the mess...Cheers,Thomas