30A Connector Advice - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: johnnyfp
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2013, 12:58:17 am
content: Hi,I've put together thisMicro Mosfet Boardthat is a daughter board for a board to go with a BeagleBoneBlack embedded Linux board.I've made it so that the board can be easily changed should it blow or some other reason not to install it. But to do that I need to put a beefy interboard connector. Currently the Header pins and socket are only rated to 3A and I can't seem to find something that would work but be small to fit this board.I've found aDeans connectorbut it seems to be more of a wire to wire connector than a board to board.ET seem to make low profile Board to Wire but not B2B.Are there any recommendations? Something that is rated to 30A per contact and has a low profile similar to a Pin Header and Socket.Thanks.

author: kizzap
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 26, 2013, 03:58:34 am
content: wouldn't you be better off designing the thing so that only the control board needs the header pins for only the basic signal and voltage supply if needed, etc? That way you dont have to have the massive traces over to board to board connectors.I would then go use something like this:http://au.element14.com/ept/090-10162/connector-header/dp/1656138-kizzap

author: johnnyfp
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2013, 04:02:04 am
content: But then you're left with Messy wires. But it is a fair point. And it does mean that I can then up the Amp's to the Max.Not sure. Is it something that would be more prone to failure or errors by the user?

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2013, 05:51:15 am
content: How about the mini-fit jr molex connectors that are regularly used in computers for PCI Express connectors. They do about 9-10A per terminal with AWG18 wire, so just get a 6 pin molex (3ground, 3 power) on both cards with a bit of cable.

author: johnnyfp
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2013, 05:56:30 am
content: It's a shame they don't do male/female pcb connectors version of this connector. Would have been an option.

author: notsob
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2013, 06:06:09 am
content: Not sure if this will help, but have a look at what toby has availablehttp://www.toby.co.uk/index.aspx

author: johnnyfp
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2013, 06:24:38 am
content: Useful. Thanks.I just had a cunning idea. What if I used ametal spacerwith bolt on either end?That way it does two things. One fixes the board so that it can't vibrate free, and that amount of metal must be in the order of 40-50amps at least.Thoughts?

author: M. András
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2013, 08:09:47 am
content: look at the phoenix contact product catalog or wiedmüller the both have board to board high power interconnects even feedthrough

author: richard.cs
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2013, 08:32:11 am
content: Quote from: johnnyfp on June 26, 2013, 06:24:38 amI don't see anything wrong with this but you need to be sure the connection stays tight - use locking washers on the bolts, etc.

author: fcb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2013, 09:58:26 am
content: +1 forwww.toby.co.ukI'd suggest using a stock 2.54mm dual row header and socket assembly and spreading the current over a number of pins. I've done this many times in commercial & industrial products without problem - typically the rating is something like 3A per contact, so a 10x2 header would meet spec. Loads of choice in height/through-hole/through-pcb/smt, etc...http://www.toby.co.uk/datasheets/section4/310AE-xx-PGGSK03.pdf

author: johnnyfp
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2013, 10:06:57 am
content: I think I'm going down the bolt and spacer route, its cheap, fixes the microboard to the cape for vibration and high power. It has the added benefit of allowing direct connection if extra power is required.

author: Christopher
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2013, 03:48:57 pm
content: The power D-sub connectors are nice, 50A per contact and you can get board mount versions. Only problem is contact price and the contacts are a bitch to find..

author: profmason
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2013, 05:50:42 pm
content: Second above amphenol cool power dsub connectors are available from mouser.http://www.mouser.com/Search/m_Search.aspx?Ntk=P_MarCom&Ntt=140528472

author: M. András
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2013, 05:51:36 pm
content: looked 1 of mthe manufacturers catalog on them. it gave me some possible use for them later. nice enclosed. great for modularity

author: Jebnor
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2013, 06:46:18 pm
content: Might these work? There is a little ridge that can hold the pin to the board.http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__67__4mm_Gold_Connectors_10_pairs_20pc_.html

author: JackOfVA
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 29, 2013, 08:28:46 pm
content: Anderson Power Pole connectors are a possibility. Carried by Mouser, amongst others. Available in PCB mount as well as cable type.Rated at 25A for the standard connector, not terribly expensive either.I have a couple of Elecraft ham radio transceivers that use these for 13.8VDC/25A power input and they do an excellent job.

author: johnnyfp
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2013, 09:31:43 pm
content: Wow! The D-Sub is $14 a end. x 2 x 5 that $140 in connectors for one end completed board. But a nice connector, thanks.The 4mm Gold connector is a possibility, but will need a jig to solder these in to line everything up. But they sure are cheap. Wonder if it's real gold. Might be worth a look, If I make the hole 4mm then I can always fall back to a bolt and spacer option. Might give that a try. Thanks.The Andreson PP might be too tall. But certainly worth investigation for other uses.

author: M. András
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2013, 09:40:27 pm
content: Quote from: johnnyfp on June 29, 2013, 09:31:43 pmyou should worry about its base material. i got 100units of 4mm banana plugs. the damn thing are magnetic. the coating looks like nickel its sucks up solder nicely but the base material some kind of steel or iron cos even filed flat on the end its still shiny greyish definetly not copper but hey for 20 bucks what could i expect?these are not hirschmann or pomona connectors thats for sure

author: johnnyfp
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2013, 09:49:24 pm
content: I could go for someCopper Bolts. Seems to me prone for failure with copper being a soft metal and over tightening will thread the bolts.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 30, 2013, 07:29:52 am
content: Those are more likely a brass or bronze bolt. Copper can be made hard by adding beryllium or other metals to make an alloy that is harder. Most common use for those is in high current busbars to connect strips of copper metal and to connect the pigtails to the breakers.