Mystery Banana Plugs - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: SteveUK
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2012, 01:03:40 am
content: Due to the high price of banana plug cables, I decided to purchase some banana plugs and make my own. I bought some of these in red and black.http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/connector-electronic-test-equipment/0429432/Problem is, there doesn't seem to be any way to remove the sleeve or connect wires. I tried holding the metal plug in some pliers and pulling on the sleeve, but it just shears off the plug. Has anyone here used this type of banana plug before? What is the secret?

author: McMonster
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2012, 01:05:02 am
content: Have you tried unscrewing the metal part from the plastic housing?

author: SteveUK
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2012, 01:09:03 am
content: Doesn't seem like it. Using quite some force with pliers.

author: Jon Chandler
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2012, 01:21:22 am
content: Those look like the same type sold by RadioShack in the US. The boot is flexible. Tilt the plug with respect to the boot and wiggle / pull on the plug.

author: grenert
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2012, 01:23:25 am
content: Are you sure they're solder type plugs? There looks to be an opening in the side that could be for a set screw to hold the wire in place.

author: amspire
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2012, 01:40:26 am
content: Quote from: grenert on January 18, 2012, 01:23:25 amI think the hole is a 4mm hole that can take another banana plug.I think Jon is right. The boot is flexible, so you hold the metal part and pull the boot down at right angles, it will come off.

author: Short Circuit
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2012, 03:02:25 am
content: Yup, but ambient temperatures are a bit lower in these regionsThe hot water suggestion will help, or leaving them in some warm place for a short while.Actually, don't expect the screw inside to be stainless, so the wet approach might leave you with some rusty screws.Works for puttin the sleeve back as well, equally annoying if too cold

author: slateraptor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2012, 03:22:27 am
content: Quote from: Jon Chandler on January 18, 2012, 01:21:22 amAgreed. I actually strayed away from these plugs myself because I couldn't figure out how the damn boot was suppose to come off.

author: Jon Chandler
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2012, 03:45:33 am
content: I just looked at theRadioShack page for these. In the comments section, people say they unscrew. They are also for soldered connections only, which some people don't understand.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2012, 03:55:28 am
content: If you do get the plastic off the metal plug, I found a good way to solder them is to heat up the plug with a gas flame from one of those butane micro torches. While holding the plug upright in a metal clamp (like a helping hands), heat it up until the solder melts and forms a pool in the hollow centre. Then push the flux coated end of the wire down into the hollow and let the solder solidify.But don't be clumsy and spill molten solder on your skin. It hurts. A lot.

author: slateraptor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2012, 03:57:33 am
content: Quote from: Jon Chandler on January 18, 2012, 03:45:33 amAlthough I don't recall exactly how they look, the pieces I encountered at RS were definitely not unscrewable. I ended up acquiring a few oftheseinstead.

author: ron
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2012, 04:58:26 am
content: Did you try to push the plug out the back of the sleeve?

author: slateraptor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2012, 05:17:24 am
content: Quote from: ron on January 18, 2012, 04:58:26 amI tried everything short of breaking the device in store without paying...surely looked like a monkey doing it too. I'm certain the plugs that SteveUK acquired are just as much a pain in the ass as the ones I encountered.

author: ron
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2012, 05:25:56 am
content: I have some like these on a BNC to banana adapter, and they are "sex on a stick".http://www.tequipment.net/Pomona12250.asp

author: amspire
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2012, 05:35:35 am
content: It is usually only a small lip on the boot molding on the front edge holding it in place. Once you get it to slide back the first couple of millimeters, the rest is easy.You can try levering the boot back with a fine screwdriver, hopefully without stabbing yourself in the finger when the screwdriver slips.I suspect that the manufacturer of these connectors can supply the boot and the metal plugs as two separate items, but RS insists that they have to be pre-assembled. They definitely can be assembled far easier then they can be disassembled.

author: SteveUK
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2012, 02:28:22 am
content: In the end I had to push them out from the back and simultaneously loosen things up around the front with some tweezers. Fortunately they are the screw type, so no soldering needed. Soaking them in hot water would probably be a good idea too.