Smaller replacement for D-sub connectors? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Dago
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2013, 12:06:25 pm
content: Can anyone suggest a connector that would be similar to a 9-pin D-sub but would be smaller and similar price range (cheap)?D-sub connectors are physically so large that they take up a lot of space and I'd like to replace them with something smaller. Something that attaches to the PCB and to the front panel, would have something like 6-15 pins and would not cost a lot.Only thing I was able to dig up was a 9pin micro-d connector but they cost upwards of ten euros per connector which is too much.

author: PeeweePete
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2013, 12:27:21 pm
content: Maybe this will help:http://www.harwin.com/catalogue/datamate/connector_types.htmlAnd this with prices:http://fi.rsdelivers.com/catalogue/search.aspx?query=datamate#PI-1|sortBy-PricedAs|sortOrder-ASC

author: cwalex
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2013, 12:29:49 pm
content: I know it's not smaller but you can get dsub in the same size as the 9pin version with 15 pins. I think it's called hi density, the same as VGA connections.EDIT: Spelling

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2013, 12:35:33 pm
content: Quote from: cwalex on January 03, 2013, 12:29:49 pmStandard VGA connector :-)

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2013, 12:50:33 pm
content: Quote from: Dago on January 03, 2013, 12:06:25 pmHow much connect/disconnect cycles are required? Smaller connectors tend to wear out sooner and take less stress/abuse. For example take classic Centronics SCSI connectors vs. high density ones. The latter have problems with bent pins.

author: cwalex
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2013, 01:00:58 pm
content: Quote from: madires on January 03, 2013, 12:35:33 pmHAHA, my spell check must have changed vga to via. Fixed it now

author: codeboy2k
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2013, 10:55:32 pm
content: Without knowing what you are sending or how small you need to go, I ask: can you serialize the data?Status bits and data can all be shifted over a serial link to the "other side" and back to parallel again at the receiving end, often with very little hardware, certainly cheaper than a large multi-pin connector.If it's bidirectional data you can get away with as little as 3 pins, 2 pins if you go half duplex.

author: bombledmonk
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2013, 11:16:51 pm
content: What's important to you, the positive lock, the ruggedness/metal, lots of connects/disconnects?How about anRJ11 connector(Ethernet connector)?

author: JoannaK
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2013, 11:36:09 pm
content: Quote from: bombledmonk on January 03, 2013, 11:16:51 pmRJ11 is quite ok for many uses and it's not expensive. But it tends to be flakey, not having as solid commection as D9. Also the locking system will give up sooner or later, and usually at the worst possible moment.Biggest problem with using RJ11 is the risk of misconnections. If you happen to have a box with multiple of those (like Ethernet, Lon, Debug serial) there's a good chance of confusion coming.

author: ve7xen
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2013, 11:48:21 pm
content: On the other hand the connectors are small, cheap and relatively easy to work with. I really hate building D9 connectors up, you have to buy a bunch of separate bits, get the right pins for your shell, solder or crimp them indvidually and then fiddle with ramming them into the shell and fitting all the extra wire inside - it's just a huge pain compared to shoving the unstripped conductors into the connector shell and crimping with your $10 tool. In a pinch you can grab any ethernet cable which you can get anywhere and lop one of the ends off to make a usable connection.Unless you're doing something mass-market or where you need something other than Cat5e cable for whatever reason, for many applications RJ-45 is hard to beat. If you need waterproof, lots of insertions or a more reliable latch you might want something else.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2013, 12:27:23 am
content: D connectors give very good bang for the buck due to the large volumes- you have to pay a lot for anything different with similar ruggedness (and then buy the expensive crimp tools ). if you can't repurpose an alternative consumer connector (USB, SATA, HDMI, mini-DIN etc.) then you're stuck with much more expensive industrial types. Lemo and Fischer are nice if cost is no object, otherwise look at HRS, Lumberg, AMP etc. Take a browse through Farnell/Digikey.

author: jerry507
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2013, 03:54:12 am
content: Yea, some extra information would really help. Is this for normal use by the device user, or purely for debug? Are you only looking for RS232 type data or just for general pins for analog and digital signals? I assume when you say they're physically big you're not just referring to how much board space they take up but their complete physical size.

author: Dago
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2013, 09:21:01 am
content: The connector would be for attaching different modules together, not just for debug. Not to be connected and disconnected all the time.It would not be for a specific project, I have had several projects where I would have liked to have a "smaller D-sub". I usually end up needing something like 6-10 pins, there's usually a need for serial/SPI/I2C (usually one of those) and then supply voltages (1-2), ground and maybe 1-2 odd signals.Modular connectors might work but they need crimping tools and I just personally don't like them(I've prolly broken the locking clip on every network cable I own, grr!)Maybe I have to give a tip off to the chinese to start making micro-D connectors...

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2013, 10:06:45 am
content: 2mm pitch IDC connectors may be a reasonable fit for what you want - fairly cheap, available in multiple ways, latching, strain reliefs.http://www.toby.co.uk/content/catalogue/series.aspx?id=3&Category=54http://www.toby.co.uk/content/catalogue/series.aspx?id=3&Category=530.1" IDCs are obviously another option, but not much smaller than D's if you use latching ones.

author: bombledmonk
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2013, 07:59:07 pm
content: Partially mentioned before, but USB 3.0 connectors might be a possibility as well. Plenty of contacts (9) for a nice universal connector. Available in a robust through hole too.http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/AU-Y1005-3-R/AE10410-ND/2217979