Molex connectors - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: bearded_badger
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2016, 06:06:49 am
content: I know you need a tool to extract pins from Molex connectors, but do you need a special tool to push them in? I'm trying and it's not clicking in.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2016, 06:24:34 am
content: Molex makes a lot of connectors. I did it without a tool for Molex MicroFit. Pay attention, they do have proper orientation even if it does not look like it. They will not click one way, but will do if you rotate them 90 degrees.

author: Farley
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2016, 09:18:13 am
content: If the crimps on the pins are not well done it can be a bear to get the pins inserted into the housing. In my experience, the most trouble prone area is the very back of the pin where the insulated part of the wire is crimped. The cheap crimping tools tend to squash that area rather than crimp it.For personal projects I usually just take a pair of needle nose and reshape the deformed part of the crimp so it will fit in the housing.

author: bearded_badger
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2016, 05:23:08 am
content: They are Molex connectors similar to what is used in PC power supplies. I can't get a pin to click in no matter what I do. Thanks for the replies, I don't know what I'm doing wrong. Maybe they need the tool to push them in.

author: Farley
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2016, 02:38:16 pm
content: Are the pins you're using correct for the housing?

author: Neilm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2016, 05:47:10 pm
content: Molex have a huge range of connectors. Which on is it?

author: nali
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2016, 07:53:39 pm
content: Quote from: Farley on April 09, 2016, 02:38:16 pmDo you mean ATX connector? That would be the Mini-Fit Jr and they only fit one way. If you place the housing like thisthe contact goes in like thisSometimes when not using the wrong crimp tool the overall shape of the contact can get distorted. In any case, you shouldn't need a tool to insert the contact.

author: bearded_badger
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2016, 05:21:51 am
content: Yes it is mini fit JR connectors, I bought the pins and connectors from RS Online and the sales person advised they should be correct. Yes I can see they only go in the one way, but they are really tight. I was just wondering should they click in fairly easily? The best I can do is get them in about halfway and then I can't push any further because the wire kinks. Maybe I did get the wrong pins. EDIT: do I need a special crimping tool? EDIT2: here are the details of what have exactly:http://au.rs-online.com/web/p/products/6704556/http://au.rs-online.com/web/p/products/2155893/

author: Neilm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2016, 06:56:33 pm
content: That range will require special crimping tools. If you have just used a pair of pliers to close those crimps, you will not have closed them correctly. The result will be that they are probably deformed and that latches are not latching.

author: bearded_badger
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2016, 12:03:00 am
content: I think you are right, I will need the special crimping tool.

author: JuKu
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2016, 11:17:47 am
content: Confirm that. With those parts, the crimp needs to be about perfect. You can do it with general purpose crimp tools like thishttp://www.engineer.jp/en/products/pa09e.htmlor similar. I have these tools, and they are very good. I also use those connectors, and they still aren't very easy. With pliers, forget it.[ Someone will surely now post a video about how to do those with ordinary pliers, just because they can, much like someone posts a video about solving the cube in 6 seconds, because they can. Normal people can't do either.]

author: bearded_badger
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2016, 07:54:37 am
content: Thank you I would never have known. I thought I could solder them but I'm guessing soldering will also stop them from clipping in.