Molex for swapping between IPac & DC?

[daveg2000]

When my cabinet gets here next week and I start working on the
control panel, I plan to make the P1 & P2 controls swappable
with my Dreamcast.

I think I want to go the route of Molex to plug/unplug the sets
of controls.

What do I need to know about these things?

Is there a certain size thats easier to work with than others?
Do I need tools to get the wires inserted into these things?
What size wire should I work with for the control panel  - that would
fit the molex plugs well?

thanks guys!  Cant wait to get the new cabinet and gets some
construction pics posted!

[kcoleman]

I am not an expert, but I beleive the cycle times for molex connectors are not that great.  They are made for something like 25 or so insertion/removal cycles.  Not sure if that will cause an issue. I might look at a D-sub connector.

[cholin]

Well if you actually look at molex connectors, youll realize that they arent that sturdy to hold up to changing them alot of times.  I would have to recomment a fingerboard.  Each panel gets its own fingerboard (1-3 bucks each) and then you need one connector in your cabinet (I hear these are a little more pricey).  Then, you just pull out the connector and insert a new one.  If you do it fancy enough, you can probably route a tunnel in your panel, put your wires in there, and cover it with a wood filler so nobody sees your wires.  Then on the far end, you route a space for your connector to slide into......I just got an idea!  Nobody will see my wiring!

[daveg2000]

Hmmm.. bummer.. thats not good news.. I was looking forward to doing this.... (sounded easy and mostly solder free - except for a bit on the Dreamcast controller)
Fingerboards look like it might be a little tough.

I saw a post on using diodes also between the DC controller
and the IPac.. but I guess I dont want to have 20 diodes to
solder and have hanging around under the cabinet either...
do I?

[DaemonCollector]

I used crimp style D-Subs for my control swapping, works great.

[daveg2000]

Any pics by chance?

[Sasquatch!]

I'm surprised that molex connectors have such a low cycle number...I would've figured them to be a lot more robust than that.  Huh.

[electricd]

I also use D-Sub connectors.  You can get a 50-pin male and female for under 10 bucks which should be more than enough.  You could probably use a standard dB25 connector if you are only using P1 and P2.  I used a 50 pin because I have all 4 player controls plus trackball and spinner.  I was able to get them all on a SCSI connector.  I have swapped it out at least 100 times and everything is still tight and workign great.

ED7