Suggestions on budget crimping tool or solder Socket 20-24 AWG connectors? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: NanoHawk
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2020, 02:18:57 am
content: I tried searching and did not find what I was looking for. As this is a tool question related to a project I think it belongs in this section.I have some specialized Amphenol connectors that I need to put wires on. These are "socket 20-24AWG" connectors that are designed to be crimped on. As I understand it, this is Socket Size 20 for 24 AWG wire. The Amphenol crimpers are very expensive (over $200 USD). As I don't know if the camera works I don't want to put a bunch of money into a tool I only need for this one thing. These are the connectors I picked up on eBay:https://www.ebay.com/itm/M39029-56-351-MIL-SPEC-CONTACT-SOCKET-20-24AWG-CRIMP-LOT-OF-27/302673090427?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649Sometimes looking at them is more helpful then just seeing the spec. They are unique connectors that are really well designed.I'm hoping someone else here as seen a more affordable option for crimpers or has experience with soldering wires to them.1) Is there an affodable crimping solution for this style of pin? Where can I find it?2) Has anyone had any luck soldering to crimp-style connectors? I only need 6 of them for power and ground.Alternately, I would be happy to find a cable with the right Amphenol Connector on the end of it and a few inches of wire. The male connector has Amphenol 0338 TVPS00RF-15-18P on it.The socket pins I have should fit. Right now they areA little about the project in case someone has a better idea or is curious:I am reviving an old RedLake MotionXtra HG-LE high speed camera I bought on eBay. My first step was to open the case and try to bypass the connector. Unfortunately it's mounted to the board pretty well and short of board modifications there isn't an easy way around it. If you want to see what I'm up against I did a tear down video on the thing.... fair warning it's almost an hour.https://youtu.be/27yux3IV8VYRedLake merged with IDT and no longer makes the cable i need. Fortunately it's an Amphenol connector and is closely related to US MilSpec gear and Aerospace gear. They also have excellent documentation that explains the pin-out.My end goal is to explore high-frame rate photography. This camera has a 10baseT port and RedLake still has available (free) software for it. The camera will do 5,000 fps at almost 720P resolution and has 1Gb of memory. That seems to be a fun starting point. At reduced resolution it's capable of 100K FPS. The camera is also rated for an obscene number of shock G's. Redlake seems to have specialized in crash cameras. The tear down was pretty interesting in terms of how they hardened the camera against shock.All I need to do at this point is power the camera with 12v and Gnd on 3 pins each and it should come back to life.

author: WattsThat
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2020, 02:54:17 am
content: You should be able to find a used crimper for a decent price, like the link. Never pay asking price...Of course you can solder but it will not be as reliable.https://www.ebay.com/itm/Daniels-Crimp-Tool-No-MS3191-4-Crimping-Tool/264518955323

author: NanoHawk
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2020, 02:59:26 am
content: I would never have guessed that was the right crimper. I see the 24 gauge wire marking on it, but how would I know that does Size 20 sockets?I may try soldering to see if the camera works first. I really took a leap of faith buying it and don't want to spend much on tooling until I Know it's not a 20# doorstop.I honestly did not expect a SMT amphenol connector. I figured it would be like the Phantom stuff where it's a connector and some wires. Don't get me wrong, the amphenol SMT connector *is* a better design for impact scenarios. If I remember right this camera is rated for 50G's. lol.

author: WattsThat
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2020, 03:14:30 am
content: The crimper I linked to is a four pin universal type circular mil pin style device, handles 12 to 26 gauge. Just set the end of travel limiter, the only thing you have to fiddle with is depth, you control where it crimps on the pin body. Not 100% fool/idiot proof.Sure, you can find size specific and pin specific devices, with depth gauging etc, the mil spec world requires/demands it.

author: NanoHawk
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2020, 10:32:11 pm
content: Thank you for the additional education about crimpers. That helps. My experience so far has mostly been crappy crimpers that don't crimp that well.This can be a hard hobby to learn. That's what I love about this forum and Dave's YouTube Videos.It's nice to know I'm not the only one who thinks this is fun and rewarding.Now I just have to find those pins again and hope that I didn't toss them in the recycle bin by accident. Sigh. My desk has at least 8 projects on it right now that want to be worked on.