Connectors for bicycle headlight wiring - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: RayJones
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2011, 08:07:46 am
content: Anybody have any ideas for a decent connector that is reasonably water resistant, compact and rugged for connecting a battery pack to a headlight on a bike?I'd be happy with a flying lead or fixed plug/socket.There are some nice Lemo connectors, but the price aint so nice :-(The battery pack is old laptop Liion cells, packaged into a bike bottle which can be easily dropped into a bottle holder on the frame.

author: ipman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2011, 08:24:15 am
content: Try the Tyco connectors for solar cells. They are pretty rugged for outside use.

author: RayJones
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2011, 10:27:34 am
content: Sorry, probably should have also stated multipole

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2011, 12:29:11 pm
content: The best connectors for ruggedized use are "marine grade" MILSPEC, they will take a lot of shock and great depth, hundreds of feet, and are made to be swapped underwater. They are expensive. They are also those that are seale but need to be connected dry but are waterproof thereafter and are much cheaper.E/O connectors are the top. For low cost, just search for the type of connector you desire: single pole, multiple, size etc., but look for marine grade.http://my.fit.edu/~swood/Cables_1.htmlhttp://www.oceantechnologysystems.com/connectors.shtml

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2011, 03:47:44 am
content: I was going to suggest automotive connectors.They aren't normally directly rained upon,but the environment inside an engine compartment is fairly hostile.The problem is,I don't where you would get them.The connectors at most car accessory places are just normal crimp "spade"*connectors,with no pretense of waterproofing.Maybe at an Auto Electrician.*I'm uncomfortable with this term for auto connectors as it used to mean a very different type of lug in Electronics,but everybody seems to use it!VK6ZGO

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 11, 2011, 05:58:18 am
content: Quote from: vk6zgo on August 11, 2011, 03:47:44 amYou can get 2 to 6 pin variants of the modern sealed automotive connectors seen herehttp://jaycar.com.au/productResults.asp?keywords=pp-2110&keyform=KEYWORD&SUBMIT.x=23&SUBMIT.y=8with the usual Jaycar markup.They'll meet the waterproof criteria but not so sure I'd recommend them for this application. They are pigs to disconnect but maybe a combination of cheap Asian manufacture and the first 150 connect/disconnect cycles will ease this off, assuming the seals can hold up to the same level of duty.

author: RayJones
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2011, 07:22:57 am
content: I found these on Farnell (well that's what I still call them)http://au.element14.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?SKU=1860715Has anybody used this type before?It looks like they are snap together fitting, but it is not clear...The 1m moulded cable is appealing

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 11, 2011, 07:59:35 am
content: Quote from: RayJones on August 11, 2011, 07:22:57 amThey'd be fine. Not as rugged as the metal bodied ones, but far from fragile. They push in and the ring will either be a screw thread or a ¼ turn bayonet. Nylon compression gland on the other end and your set,