Who makes this connector? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: calzap
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2020, 11:07:01 pm
content: See the picture. The contacts are 2.8 mm wide. The connectors come in a variety of contact configurations and colors. They have a "lance" type locking device. They're sold widely on eBay and elsewhere. Often advertised as automotive connectors. I would like to have a data sheet but have been unable to find out who the manufacturers are. Help please.Mike in California

author: paul8f
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 25, 2020, 08:50:32 pm
content: Looks similar to the 12v/5v motherboard ATX power connector, but not the same.ATX connector.jpg(35.84 kB. 622x498 - viewed 724 times.)You could try browsing through a Molex catalogue; worth a shot.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 25, 2020, 10:40:56 pm
content: Quote from: paul8f on July 25, 2020, 08:50:32 pmIf only theyhadproper catalogs anymore... Molex’s website often just sends you in circles, with links promising more info just sensing you back to where you were...(I hate how component companies have largely stopped making organized catalogs, instead relying on their mostly-shitty database-driven websites that present you with a list of 87,593 SKUs, at best with a poorly implemented, incomplete parametric search, instead of the organized catalog sections with descriptions of the past.)

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 25, 2020, 10:49:34 pm
content: Quote from: calzap on July 24, 2020, 11:07:01 pmI was just browsing connectors the other day and I could swear I saw something like that, but I looked at so many that I can’t remember where.Also, could you please post pix of all angles/sides? (I dunno why people tend to post only pix of the back sides of connectors, never the mating faces!!) There are too many connectors in existence that are too similar to each other, making details critical. Ideally, put a ruler in the pictures, too.

author: Mecanix
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2020, 12:15:24 am
content: "Commonly used in Japanese motorcycle applications from the late 1970s through to the mid-1980s. Nylon material is used for these connectors."As detailed as its going to get I'm afraid for this 4P bad boy.http://www.vintageconnections.com/Products/Detail/61

author: Mecanix
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2020, 12:24:35 am
content: Or maybe not all that 'vintage' after-all lolhttps://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.278.15583f00U7CRSi&id=16526225449&ns=1&abbucket=5#detail

author: calzap
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2020, 01:33:46 am
content: Thanks Mecanix. I looked at a lot of Chinese websites of companies that make or sell the connectors. Best I could find is one that gave dimensions, but no electrical specs. See pic. One eBay seller claimed 20 A which seemed high for a 2.8 mm contact. 8 A is more reasonable. Voltage rating is higher than I expected. I use them for 24 VAC.Mike in California

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2020, 04:01:28 am
content: Probably this is suitable:https://www.te.com/usa-en/product-2315744-4.html

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2020, 12:08:05 pm
content: Quote from: andy3055 on July 26, 2020, 04:01:28 amNot even close.Quote from: Mecanix on July 26, 2020, 12:15:24 amGoogling “Japanese motorcycle connector” brought up many results, including this one saying it was originally a Hitachi connector:http://www.cycleterminal.com/110-connectors.htmlAnd this vendor saying it is Sumitomo:https://www.corsa-technic.com/category.php?category_id=53Both refer to it as MTW series.Googling “sumitomo MTW connector” immediately brought up the right product line:http://prd.sws.co.jp/components/en/series.php?s1=36(Going through it step by step to show others how to research, since it’s something many people don’t really know how to do.)

author: calzap
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2020, 04:57:43 pm
content: Thanks to you Tooki. In my searching, I used "automotive" and "connector" a lot, but not "motorcyle" or "Japanese", which were the magic words. Nice to know the connector type (MTW). Unfortunately in the electric parts world, MTW means machine tool wire, which complicates additional searching. JST makes a somewhat similar (but incompatible) MWT connector, which some websites (like Mouser) confuse with MTW. They are sometimes called 110 or .110 connectors because 2.8 mm equals 0.11 inch. However, there are lots of other connectors that use 2.8 mm contacts.The Sumitomo Wiring Systems pdf wasn't that useful. I don't read Japanese and wanted to know if there was any electrical data other than wire sizes, which I was able to determine from the pdf. An additional complication is that the pdf is mostly a collection of bitmaps. Google was a complete loss for ocr and translation. Convertio and onlinedoctranslator did a nice job though. No additional electrical info was in the pdf, but I did find out that Sumitomo Wiring Systems started as Tokai Electric Cable. I'm pretty sure the diamond TD logo on the first page of the PDF stands for Tokai Denki-no (Tokai Electric).Apparently, the only name-brand manufacturer of the connectors is Sumitomo. However, they are made by many Chinese companies. Apparently, they are very popular based on the number of sellers on eBay, Alibaba and elsewhere. I find them very useful for 24 VAC at 0.5 A or less. I use them in applications powering solenoid valves and relay/contactor coils. For single connections, 2.8 mm quick-connect lugs for various wire sizes are readily available. I don't use them at mains voltages.Mike in California

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2020, 05:36:22 pm
content: You could probably look up specs for individual 2.8mm Faston spade connectors to determine the rough electrical characteristics.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2020, 05:53:16 pm
content: Quote from: tooki on July 26, 2020, 05:36:22 pmAnd, doing that (nice work finding the original parts btw), TE rate 110 Fastons at 5A continuous, 10A intermittent with 16AWG wire. The intermittent is 75% duty cycle and allows for up to 85C rise. So in nylon/ABS housings like this I would suggest 4A continuous is probably reasonable. Assuming they're a decent fit, which is questionable with knockoffs.

author: calzap
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2020, 06:14:36 pm
content: Thanks. I don't use them at more than 0.5 A, but good to know the limits. Actually the solenoids and relay coils are less than 300 mA sealed, but inrush can be 0.4 A. Voltage rating depends on geometry and insulation characteristics of the shell. I use them at 24 VAC and would never go over 50 V, so feel safe with that.Mike

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2020, 08:35:21 pm
content: Yeah, I think you’re very, very comfortably within their capabilities, with lots of room to spare.