5 pole connectors - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: naxxfish
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2017, 01:21:26 pm
content: For a project, I want to make a parallel connector of theGameboy's DMG-01 link portonto the bottom of the case. The connector needs to be something a bit more commonly available than the original DMG-04 style port (I'd rather not have to resort to canibalising genuine Nintendo cables!)The connector needs to be quite small. I'm already putting in a 3.5mm socket for pre-volume pot output, so I thought why not use a 5 pole 3.5mm jack for the link port (needs gnd, SI,SO,SC,SD). It's nice and small and should fit.HOWEVER I'm a bit concerned when inserting a jack it will short some of the signals - or indeed if you tried to plug in a normal TRS jack. This is particularly a problem for the outputs, as there's the potential to short to ground.So a) is there any way of avoiding this? (I can potentially add some circuitry to disable the port until a proper connector is attached, but I'm not sure how I'd detect that)or b) are there any better, low profile, connectors that are readily available that would do the job, and have less of a potentialy for bugger-uppery?(I did think about USB, but that's got the potential for lots of issues if you were to plug it into an actual USB port!)Thoughts?

author: sokoloff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2017, 02:27:25 pm
content: JST (and compatible) connectors are very readily available.If you can spare the room for JST-XH (2.5mm pitch), that's going to be very easy to find (and for others to find in low quantity if that's important to your application). There are finer pitch JST components as well, but -XH is probably the most common and readily available.A 5p version of the -XH will be order of magnitude the same size as USB.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JST_connector

author: sokoloff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2017, 04:40:17 pm
content: Molex KK / OST 2510 is another pretty common and probably suitable choice.Also readily available from a variety of suppliers and easy to source in low quantity.That's these:For reference, the JST-XH are these:

author: tablatronix
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2017, 05:03:44 pm
content: micro usb, dime a dozen, even come on breakout boards. hole is stupid shape though, and not idiot proof is someone plugs an actual usb in it, but other than that, nice and small and ubiquitous.could also use the lesser popular varieties also ( used for cameras usually )http://www.tme.eu/html/gfx/ramka_3822.jpg

author: CM800
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2017, 05:33:51 pm
content: They are 'more then' a bit pricey, but I absolutely love these (specifically the HR10 Series):http://uk.farnell.com/hirose-hrs/hr10a-7r-5s-73/receptacle-panel-size-7-5way-skt/dp/2061622http://uk.farnell.com/hirose-hrs/hr10a-7p-5p-73/plug-free-size-7-5-way-pin/dp/2061621?MER=bn_level5_5NP_EngagementRecSingleItem_1http://uk.farnell.com/hirose-hrs/rm12brd-6ph-71/plug-panel-6pole/dp/1077722http://uk.farnell.com/hirose-hrs/rm12bpe-6ph-71/plug-free-6way/dp/1077717?MER=bn_level5_5NP_EngagementRecSingleItem_1Equally, there is always FireWire... I mean, who really uses that?They might be overkill, but these are my new go-to connectors for anything for external connections.

author: naxxfish
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2017, 08:54:34 pm
content: Well, the game port is extremely similar to firewire so...Those circular connecors look the nuts. Bit on the big side for a Gameboy case though. My usual go to connector is a DIN or XLR (being a radio broadcast engineer), but they are also a bit bulky for this.JST looks good for this potentially. If I got an 7 or 8 way (depending if I need to keep the analogue and digital grounds separate) I could even break the sound out with it as well, and save needing an extra 3.5mm jack.Cheers all!

author: CM800
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2017, 10:32:12 pm
content: check out LEMO connectors on ebay, they can get damn small, crazy high quality and a painful price... but they ain't half worth it the satisfaction from using them is worth it.

author: sleemanj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2017, 01:22:56 am
content: An apple lightning connector maybe, obscure enough in the context of a gameboy that nobody is going to mis-use it.Available on aliexpress, search for lightning socket

author: ebclr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2017, 01:33:52 am
content: https://pt.aliexpress.com/item/SD16-13mm-5-Pin-Flanged-Waterproof-Aviation-Connector-Plug-Socket-IP68-1-Pin-2-Pin-3/32717291745.html?spm=2114.02010208.3.33.1mUp8F&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_2_10152_10065_10151_10068_10136_10137_10060_10138_10155_10062_10156_10154_10056_10055_10054_10059_10099_10103_10102_10096_10148_10147_10052_10053_10142_10107_10050_10051_10173_10084_10083_10119_10080_10082_10081_10110_10111_10112_10113_10114_10181_10037_10182_10033_10032_10078_10079_10077_10073_10070_10123_10120_10124-10120,searchweb201603_1,ppcSwitch_5&btsid=a1fefb1d-90d1-4d04-83a5-0c7a74e41cf0&algo_expid=6a41323d-c3cc-4f96-b29a-95924ee0fe2a-4&algo_pvid=6a41323d-c3cc-4f96-b29a-95924ee0fe2a

author: naxxfish
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2017, 09:46:55 pm
content: Quote from: ebclr on April 29, 2017, 01:33:52 amThey look like a clone of these:http://www.bulgin.com/products/circular-power-connectors/mini-series.htmlIn any case, too big!.Quote from: CM800 on April 28, 2017, 10:32:12 pmLEMO...yeah. They're used these at my work for wireless mic packs. They're beautifully manufactured things, can carry a crazy amount of force (their stand at trade shows are fairly impressive... hanging 10kg weights off mated connectors) but super expensive.Quote from: sleemanj on April 29, 2017, 01:22:56 amHmm, still not sure I like the idea of using an existing port for something other than it's original purpose. If someone were to stick a charger into it (for example), I'd have to make sure whatever the effect of applying volts across the pins wasn't going to cause anything to blow up.Still liking the idea of a JST-XH. I like JST connectors most so far as they're the least likely to fall out and don't need a big locking tab (like KK), and they don't have any pre-existing expectation of how they might work - so plugging them into some other random that happens to have that connector will have expected unpredictable results.

author: ebclr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 30, 2017, 02:08:35 am
content: Din mini is smallerhttps://pt.aliexpress.com/item/200-Pcs-Per-Lot-Mini-5-Pin-Circular-DIN-Connector-Snap-and-Lock-Vertical-Mini-DIN/594955314.html?spm=2114.02010208.3.48.9cCqpX&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_1_10152_10065_10151_10068_10136_10137_10157_10060_10138_10155_10062_10156_10154_10056_10055_10054_10059_10099_10103_10102_10096_10148_10147_10052_10053_10142_10107_10050_10051_10173_10084_10083_10080_10082_10081_10110_10111_10112_10113_10114_10181_10182_10078_10079_10073_10070_10123_10124,searchweb201603_1,ppcSwitch_5&btsid=16bbf471-9b89-444f-99ec-c72989607822&algo_expid=ec69bedf-0742-45d1-bf72-8af03ea79557-6&algo_pvid=ec69bedf-0742-45d1-bf72-8af03ea79557

author: DBecker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 30, 2017, 02:38:00 am
content: Mini-XLR (TA5F and TA5M) is a nicer connector than Mini-DIN, and they have positive latching. They are not especially inexpensive ($1-$2 each), but are far from LEMO connectors at $20 a pop.

author: ebclr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 30, 2017, 02:42:02 am
content: If only size is problem a micro USB may workhttps://pt.aliexpress.com/item/30x-for-Sony-MT15-X12-LT15-LT18-Phone-Micro-USB-Female-Connector-USB-Jack-Charging-Socket/32480056352.html?spm=2114.02020208.3.306.nXKiEc&s=p&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0%2Csearchweb201602_2_10152_10065_10151_10068_10136_10137_10157_10060_10138_10155_10062_10156_10154_10056_10055_10054_10059_10099_10103_10102_10096_10148_10147_10052_10053_10142_10107_10050_10051_10173_10084_10083_10080_10082_10081_10110_10111_10112_10113_10114_10181_10037_10182_10033_10032_10078_10079_10077_10073_10070_10123_10124%2Csearchweb201603_2%2CppcSwitch_5_ppcChannel&btsid=0d229dc1-0763-4b74-9872-ba8aa9bdc2c9

author: naxxfish
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 30, 2017, 11:12:42 am
content: Looks like 8 pole JST-XH is too large. I've only got 20mm of width to play with, and up to 7mm height off the board. A Right angle IDC might do it... though no latching and can fall out pretty easily.USB is looking more and more like it's the way to get the density in there. Mini DIN would likely be too large - though I'll give it a go.EDIT: Nope, mini DIN won't fit height wise. Shame, that was looking quite promising.JST-ZH might work though...

author: sokoloff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 30, 2017, 12:10:32 pm
content: Quote from: naxxfish on April 30, 2017, 11:12:42 amHave a 7p JST-XH in my hand and it measures right at 20mm wide. Right angle will be about 6mm off the board. (A 5p is just under 15mm wide.)Can you get audio out of an 1/8" TRS plug somewhere else?The -XH is very, very common, and I have some bias towards sticking with common parts where feasible, but I don't know your application, so maybe a less common (but still industry standard) part is OK.

author: cowana
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 30, 2017, 01:51:26 pm
content: My standard connector is the JST-PH series, rather than the JST-XH series.Very similar, except 20% smaller, as it's 2mm pitch rather than 2.5mm.