Looking for a panel mount connector - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: PedroDaGr8
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 26, 2014, 04:16:49 am
content: I've been looking around but am getting a bit overwhelmed. So for a project I am working on I'm looking for a 4-wire panel mount connector. Its for a project where I will be connecting several devices (4 wires per device) to a board mounted in a project box. The voltages will be very low (<5V) and low current (mA level). So high power is not needed, though the connecting wires are around 20AWG. I was considering some sort of panel mount molex (sort of like the types on motherboards) but not sure where to find it. Plus ideally, a minimal amount of liquid protection would be a huge plus (which the molex doesn't have). Small size and a secure connection would help too. The biggest thing is not TOO expensive and if its a crimp connector the crimping device is inexpensive.

author: corrado33
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 26, 2014, 04:34:29 am
content: I hate to state the obvious but...http://www.digikey.com/product-search/en?pv69=4&pv69=358&pv69=190&pv69=225&pv69=543&FV=fff40016%2Cfff802fc&mnonly=0&newproducts=0&ColumnSort=0&page=1&quantity=0&ptm=0&fid=0&pageSize=25Click on "sealed" or IP67 for water resistance? Narrow down by number of positions needed? (I'm making the assumption that IP67 is water resistance or sealed or similar, at least that's what my 30 second google search told me.)Almost any connector you buy will required to be soldered and crimped. Soldering is easy, and you can crimp (carefully) with a pair of pliers. If you do order any of those connectors, you also have to order the pins to go with them.If you click on the connector you want, and look in the "Associated Product" section, toward the bottom of the page, you'll find the pins for them. If you look in the "Mating Product" you'll find the other sexed version of the connector.http://www.digikey.com/product-search/en?pv5=8937&pv5=10023&pv5=6823&pv5=9809&pv5=53&pv5=7996&FV=fff40016%2Cfff802fc%2C1140004%2C11400be%2C11400e1%2C1140166%2C114021f%2C1600003%2C1600004%2C1600006%2C1600007%2C160000a%2C160000b%2C160000c%2C160000d%2C160000e%2C160000f%2C1600012%2C1600013%2C1600014%2C1600015%2C1600016%2C1600017%2C1600018%2C1600019%2C160001a%2C160001b%2C160001d%2C160001e%2C160001f%2C1600020%2C1600021%2C1600022%2C1600023%2C1600024%2C160002f%2C1600034%2C1600038%2C160003d%2C1600056%2C1600062%2C1600085%2C16000a4%2C16000b3%2C1600123%2C1600129%2C1600371%2C16003a0&mnonly=0&newproducts=0&ColumnSort=0&page=1&quantity=0&ptm=0&fid=0&pageSize=25Waterproofed connections are expensive. Just throw some dielectric grease in a normal connector and be happy.Most automotive connections would require a bit of waterproofing qualities as well, you could look into those.EDIT: I'm hoping digikey links work without being on the same machine... I'm not sure.

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 26, 2014, 04:35:30 am
content: ? One of the canon connectors or ps2

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 26, 2014, 04:56:52 am
content: Try searching ebay for "Aviation Plug"

author: PedroDaGr8
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 26, 2014, 10:30:26 pm
content: I really didn't need waterproof or water resistant, just where they are at there are bottles of buffers near by. I wanted a slight degree of protection against a person careless with the buffer line. Nothing serious. Thanks a bunch for your help V5KRC. I started at digikey and just got overwhelmed with the number of options. I saw several I liked until I saw the price of the crimping tool ($>500) So I wanted to see if anyone had a favorite connector that was either solder only or had a cheap crimping tool.Thanks for the suggestion Pickles9000 I never knew what those were called so they had slipped my mind. They look like they are a shade larger than what I want but I am going to get some to see if I can make them work. I think I will try those first as they have most of the properties that I want and are very affordable.

author: Fank1
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2014, 12:29:24 am
content: Use a microphone DIN connector.Cheap and available even at radio shack.

author: corrado33
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2014, 05:06:28 pm
content: Just for the record, the crimping tool is absolutely NOT required to use those connections. Sure, it makes it easier, but doing by hand is perfectly acceptable. Just food for thought.

author: Steffen
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2014, 05:22:00 pm
content: Look for LEMO circular connectors. Binder M4 could also work. Panel mount socket and cable jack should be able to solder.