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Contacts for removable panels (cable-free)
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Minwah:
I've been wanting to make cable-free connections for my swappable control panels for some time...but never got round to it.  Anyway, just stumbled upon these:

http://www.rapidelectronics.co.uk/rkmain.asp?PAGEID=80010&CTL_CAT_CODE=&STK_PROD_CODE=M71524&XPAGENO=1

They seem to be cheaper than the automotive type which are generally very expensive.  I think they are designed for PCB mounting so not sure if they will be entirely suitable, but I'm probably going to order a few to try out.

I'll post back with results...anyone else tried these/anything similar?
Lilwolf:
I spent a LONG time tring to build some that I was hoping to sell. 

The trouble isn't as much the switches, but what they are going to connect too. 

You will use one of these for every connection you want.  But you might have 10+ control panels.  Anyway, you will want to ask if you can buy multiples of the female side.

Also, the are probably pretty small (because they are for cell phones and the like).  Is your control panels mounted in a way that they wont move left/right by even a little bit?  I had this trouble for a bit...

btw, here is an older version of mine

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=27724.msg235240#msg235240

They really started working well and reliable when I started using heat shrink wrapping around the connections on the back.  Really made a big difference.  Also I started using a different terminal block (the cinch 10 position ones) since they where MUCH easier to get ahold of and cheaper for the new ones.

btw, I would be selling them today if I could find a supplier for the springs.  But I do have about 100 springs if anyones interested.


Minwah:

--- Quote from: Lilwolf on September 19, 2005, 09:30:09 am ---You will use one of these for every connection you want.  But you might have 10+ control panels.  Anyway, you will want to ask if you can buy multiples of the female side.

--- End quote ---

True...of course the price will add up for multiple panels (I have 5), but some are USB and so only require 1x 4/5-way.  You can definately get multiples of the female ones.


--- Quote ---Also, the are probably pretty small (because they are for cell phones and the like).  Is your control panels mounted in a way that they wont move left/right by even a little bit?  I had this trouble for a bit...

--- End quote ---

Yeah, it states 2.54 and 4mm 'pitch'.  Not sure what that means, but maybe the width of the connectors (?).  I know my stick panel is perfect size (no play) but my analog panel may have a bit of give...I think it would be ok though.


--- Quote ---They really started working well and reliable when I started using heat shrink wrapping around the connections on the back.  Really made a big difference.  Also I started using a different terminal block (the cinch 10 position ones) since they where MUCH easier to get ahold of and cheaper for the new ones.

btw, I would be selling them today if I could find a supplier for the springs.  But I do have about 100 springs if anyones interested.

--- End quote ---

I remember yours...looked promising.  I might be interested but I will probably give these a try first.
jedi27:
I imagine that the pitch is either the height of the spring at it's tip to the surface it's mounted on....   
Minwah:

--- Quote from: jedi27 on September 19, 2005, 08:32:20 pm ---I imagine that the pitch is either the height of the spring at it's tip to the surface it's mounted on....   

--- End quote ---

Probably right.  I've ordered one male & one female so I should have an idea soon whether it is any good or not...
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