Availability of new Molex connector series  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: Skerved
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2024, 08:14:27 am
content: Hi. I just want to see if someone has some more experience of how the connector market works. I have found a new connector series from Molex that I would like to try, Zero-Hachi:https://www.molex.com/en-us/products/connectors/wire-to-board-connectors/zero-hachi-connectors.The problem for me is that the MOQ for the variants I want is 30 000 and 40 000 pcs on Digikey, Mouser etc, where I need perhaps 1000-5000 pcs per year. Of course, I also need samples. I have contacted Molex, but they just refer to their distributors, Digikey, Mouser etc. I have contacted Digikey, but have not got an answer in a few days. I also asked one of my regular supplier for electronic components, but he also referenced MOQ of 30k and 40k.So I thought I might ask here. How does it normally work with relatively new connectors, specifically Molex, am I at the mercy of Digikey and the like?

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 29, 2024, 11:11:10 am
content: I don't have any concrete suggestion as far as MOQ, but the product page's FAQ contains this tidbit:QuoteSo it's a clone of something else. Maybe that original product has better availability.

author: Skerved
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 29, 2024, 11:16:32 am
content: Quote from: tooki on February 29, 2024, 11:11:10 amThanks! I will try to find out what it is a clone of.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 29, 2024, 07:06:03 pm
content: It just occurred to me that the name could be a clue of the potential origin: thanks to Hachiko, the famously loyal Akita, I know that “hachi” means “eight” in Japanese.(I was hoping there was some 08-series from Hirose, but no such luck.)

author: Someone
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 29, 2024, 09:35:08 pm
content: Catalogues (particularly electro-mechanical parts) often have line items which have never been manufactured before. The huge MOQ is you paying for the minimum manufacturing batch.

author: Skerved
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2024, 01:52:31 pm
content: I found a pretty similar connector, but it seems slightly larger.https://www.hirose.com/en/product/series/DF52Edit: Does anyone have experience with Hirose connectors? Reliable?

author: ejeffrey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2024, 03:16:08 pm
content: Hirose is one of the big names in connectors. They have a wide range of products, but generally if you use them as intended they should perform as advertised.

author: MarkT
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2024, 09:37:03 pm
content: My question would be how wide a range of cables is available - if they are all bespoke and MOQ that could be an issue(!)

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2024, 07:51:33 am
content: Quote from: MarkT on March 01, 2024, 09:37:03 pmWhat do you mean? You buy the connectors and wires yourself and assemble them to cables. The DF52 datasheet says to use UL1571 style wire, which means there are tons of manufacturers of compliant wire.

author: Skerved
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2024, 06:56:34 am
content: Thanks for your useful comments on this.I am getting closer to a solution!Regarding cables: We have a supplier that makes custom cables for us and I always check with them before settling on something new.