Invention of the day:  The banaligator - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: RoGeorge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2024, 12:04:28 pm
content: Tadaaam!!! Proudly presenting ...  ... The Banaligator!Take a thick paperclip, cut in two places to get 3 pieces of U shaped paperclip wire of different heights.Solder those inside the tail of an alligator clip, to form a 4mm banana plug.Found it to be very practical when attaching unterminated wires to the power supply.

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2024, 12:40:29 pm
content: hurry go get a pattent for this, you'll loose millions ...

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2024, 12:47:03 pm
content: If you unscrew the binding post a little bit there is already hole to put a wire in on all of my TE with binding posts.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2024, 12:52:40 pm
content: Wago are way ahead of youhttps://uk.farnell.com/wago/51174966/plug-4mm-cage-clamp-red-pk5/dp/1283539

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2024, 01:07:31 pm
content: I have nothing else to add.

author: RoGeorge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2024, 01:08:58 pm
content: Quote from: xrunner on November 07, 2024, 12:47:03 pmYes, but the banaligator would be faster and easier at attaching wires.Side note, the binding posts in the Rigol DP832 power supply I have are notoriously bad.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/wires-connected-without-banana-to-binding-posts-(rigol-dp832-power-supply)/msg5700041/#msg5700041So far I had to use them only with banana terminated wires (even so, the banana hole in the red binding posts is smaller, some banana plug brands do not fit in the binding posts for plus, but they fit in the binding posts for minus)Except this time I've run out of bananas, tried to DIY a few more, and that's how I've accidentally arived to solder pieces of paperclip wires on an alligator. The intent was to cut away the alligator jaws and solder a wire instead, only to realize it would be easier to leave it just like that, a banana with jaws.

author: NE666
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2024, 09:45:47 pm
content: Quote from: RoGeorge on November 07, 2024, 01:08:58 pmIt would also likely be faster at blowing fuses and/or output stages too.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2024, 10:06:52 pm
content: You should just buck up and fix your power supply before you get hurt having dodgy interconnects everywherehttps://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/pomona-electronics/3760-3/736552a few DIY special use adapters is one thing, but they should not be sticking out of your power supply in force

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2024, 10:20:19 pm
content: I just bought $160 of pomona and similar products because this thread scared me

author: Analog Kid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2024, 11:09:50 pm
content: Pomona? That shit's good butexpen$ive!

author: shabaz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2024, 12:34:49 am
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on November 07, 2024, 12:52:40 pmSome action photos.They work well with quite thin wires too, very handy when quickly trying things out.I'm not using many (any) red/black in the photo because those are frequently sold out.I also like the Deltron banana plugs (553 series) because they are about the cheapest reasonable quality plugs around for general use. Unless I need something higher-performance, I use those because they are extremely low-cost, have a screw terminal (so can even be easily reused at a pinch) and support stacking.

author: jonovid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2024, 03:12:02 am
content: just anotherplug adapter to be copied & coming to AliEx soon

author: shabaz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2024, 03:56:15 am
content: Similar-ish functionality ones are already there.They don't look all that great, though! (Although, to be fair, even the Wago ones visually look flimsy, but they perform fine.)I prefer the Wago banana-end style over that AliExpress one, however (i.e., convex-bent steel wire in the shaft).

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2024, 04:11:39 am
content: this is an old concept I am sure people soldered speaker terminals to a banana connector before for convenience. I almost did many years ago but my speaker terminal was very low quality meant for super shitty panel mounting, long before 3d printers were popular

author: shabaz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2024, 04:40:52 am
content: I didn't think of that before, but it's a good point. The lever terminal on the banana plug is really not much different to the ones that were on the back of audio amps.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2024, 06:44:53 am
content: maybe no one ever did it because when you take that apart you really doubt that its a good idea when you see the actual partUsually you think "I can't believe that works" and "I can't believe they sold that" and "I can't believe I bought that"

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2024, 06:46:23 am
content: A wiring spring, like those in old electronics kitsIt is basically a static structure at that point without any lever, pin or other mechanical jibba jabba that can cause problems. The alligator clip is a complex machine in comparison.If soldered to a banana connector or shaped to be compatible with one it should make for a easy wire interconnect.I think rogeorge can do better then make over complicated adaptersI believe the paper clip by itself can make a good interconnect so long its plated, shaped and tempered properly in the right places

author: JXstaystonight
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2024, 08:18:55 am
content: Such a creative solution, RoGeorge! The banaligator seems super handy for quick setups. It’s impressive how a little ingenuity can solve everyday challenges. Just curious, have you tested its long-term durability?

author: RoGeorge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2024, 09:13:14 am
content: Thank you.Not tested, only found that combination a couple of days ago. Might need an isolation sleeve, too, as it was pointed out (a large shrink tube anchored to the alligator screw would do it).Meanwhile I was looking for an even simpler way to DIY a banana connector to casual wires. After all, alligators and bananas are middle-man pieces of metal. Would be better to connect the strands of the wire directly to the binding post. The sideways hole at the bottom of the binding post is one way to do that, but not very practical.So I am looking now for methods to DIY a banana out of the copper strands of the wire itself. The idea is to use a round wedge to press the wires against the inner walls of the 4mm hole inside the binding posts. Pieces of round wood make a good wedge (tried chopsticks, toothpicks, matches, a twig, etc.). Maybe not the most elegant, but very firm contact.Another way would be to use the sleeve from a cable of just the right thickness, and to bend back the strands of the wires, something in the style of second DIY banana from the right:Has to be something made out of common items, dirt cheap, and no longer than a minute to make.Still looking for other ways to quickly and reliably plug a cable without using a banana. Has to be something that can accommodate with slightly different diameters of the binding posts holes, too, like the faulty ones in my DP832. Not sure which model will win in the long term.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2024, 09:21:04 am
content: Quote from: shabaz on November 08, 2024, 03:56:15 amI have two pairs of spring loaded banana connectors for quick wiring. This wago copycat looks interesting though, and I haven't seen it before thanks for posting.

author: Nominal Animal
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2024, 09:42:14 pm
content: As an aside: am I the only one that parses the term intuitively asbanal-igator? Perhaps it is just my ugly personality, though.

author: RoGeorge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2024, 10:17:43 pm
content: Even so, still not as fun as the English word "therapist".

author: Analog Kid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2024, 10:23:43 pm
content: Heh; like "cow orker". You know, the person at the desk next to yours.

author: flipper
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2024, 10:53:31 pm
content: Quote from: RoGeorge on November 09, 2024, 10:17:43 pmAka “Psycho, the…”

author: Nominal Animal
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2024, 12:24:41 am
content: Quote from: RoGeorge on November 09, 2024, 10:17:43 pmA therapist isnotsomeone who has non-consensual sex with your mind, though. Pity "mind blown!" is off by one base.I particularly like therapistfinder.com: I know it is just two words, but I always see three.

author: tigrr
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2024, 10:56:18 pm
content: Quote from: RoGeorge on November 07, 2024, 12:04:28 pmGood decision!

author: Ranayna
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2024, 11:13:12 pm
content: Quote from: Nominal Animal on November 10, 2024, 12:24:41 amExpertsexchange added a hyphen to their name for that reason.And then there iswww.penisland.net[Sorry, accidentally posted the .com URL, which is a malware site], who i have to assume totally know whats going on and roll with it.Nevermind. That one is actually fakeI saw that talked about so much, i never checked it myself.

author: Analog Kid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2024, 11:58:14 pm
content: Quote from: Ranayna on December 01, 2024, 11:13:12 pmQuoteOh, the irony ...

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2024, 12:40:03 am
content: i thought someone would mount a speaker terminal to a banana connector by now