Looking for a Molex Connector - advice needed

[javeryh]

I've got 10 buttons (4 admin) and a joystick for each player on my cabinet and I'm looking for a molex connector to run everything through so I can have a quick and easy way to disconnect my CPs for maintenance.  Can someone please post a direct link to something like this?  I was on the Molex site and couldn't find my way around...  THANKS!

[javeryh]

Anyone?  Would this work?  Do I need to buy both "male" and "female" connectors?



This is from the Happ website - http://www.happcontrols.com/electrical_supplies/43025000.htm.  It's the only ones I could find - any help would be great!

[GregorDV]

I would be inclined to go with a ribbon cable and headers for that many pins together.  Alternately, I have my CP split into sections and use RJ-45 connections (cheap, easy to plug/unplug, and easy to assemble).

[JeepMonkey]

You might also like to look through the bin at a Radio Shack.

[rdagger]

DB25 (Serial/Parallel) connectors are very easy to get for free and work well.
I've never been a big fan of Molex.

[javeryh]

I was thinking about dividing the plugs into "button" and "joystick" (dis)connections so I'd need something like 8 and 8.  Where can I find these RJ-45 connectors?  THANKS!

I would be inclined to go with a ribbon cable and headers for that many pins together.  Alternately, I have my CP split into sections and use RJ-45 connections (cheap, easy to plug/unplug, and easy to assemble).

[GregorDV]

RJ-45s are what are normally used for ethernet connections.  The cables are easy; buy a cheap patch cable and cut one end off.  If you're willing to trade a small premium for conveinence, Lowes carries basic networking supplies, and you can either plug it into a box or do a flush mount for a more professional look:

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productList&N=0&Ntk=i_products&Ntt=rj-45

I based my CP on Doc's tremendously clever modular control panel:

http://www.beersmith.com/mame/panel_mounting.htm

[javeryh]

Thanks but that looks a little too complicated for me...  I need something that's idiot proof...

[javeryh]

OK, I think I found something that will work but I have no idea which exact part to order.  I assume I need a "recepticle" and a "plug" as well as the "sockets" and "pins" to connect the wires to.  Am I on the right track? 

http://www.mouser.com/catalog/626/1079.pdf
http://www.mouser.com/catalog/626/1080.pdf

Also, they list .062", .093" and .084" - does it matter which one I get?  I am using 22 gauge wires from radio shack.

THANKS!!!

[Sizzler]

DB25 (Serial/Parallel) connectors are very easy to get for free and work well.
I've never been a big fan of Molex.

I agree.   And molex aren't usually the easiest to plug and unplug anyway.  I'd go for DB25

[javeryh]

Oh well, I went with the molex connectors anyway - I ordered 10 plugs (female) and 10 receptacles (male) with room for 4 wires (in-line) and 10 plugs (female) and 10 receptacles (male) with room for 6 wires (matrix).  The size is .062" which is good for 18-24 gauge wire.  I also ordered 100 pins and 100 sockets to use in the plugs and receptacles.  I hope everything  works OK.  If anyone is interested, this is where I got everything from:  http://www.mouser.com/catalog/626/1079.pdf

[krick]

Bob Roberts has a great selection of connectors...

http://homearcade.org/BBBB/conectas.html

I think that that the 9 position molex connectors are pretty much standard on JAMMA arcade machines as you only need 9 wires for each player to cover all the controls in the JAMMA spec.

For his "kick" harnesses (the extra buttons outside of the JAMMA spec) Bob uses the 6 position molex connectors...
http://homearcade.org/BBBB/plus.html


So, for a "fully loaded" 4 player cabinet...

Player1: Molex .093 9 position connector - 9 wires - Left,Right,Up,Down,Start,B1,B2,B3,Gnd
Player2: Molex .093 9 position connector - 9 wires - Left,Right,Up,Down,Start,B1,B2,B3,Gnd
Player3: Molex .093 9 position connector - 9 wires - Left,Right,Up,Down,Start,B1,B2,B3,Gnd
Player4: Molex .093 9 position connector - 9 wires - Left,Right,Up,Down,Start,B1,B2,B3,Gnd
Player 1&2: Molex .093 6 position connector - 6 wires - P1B4,P1B5,P1B6,P2B4,P2B5,P2B6
Player 3&4: Molex .093 6 position connector - 6 wires - P3B4,P3B5,P3B6,P4B4,P4B5,P4B6

Note that you need both male and female halves of the connector, along with pins for both sides.


You could also use a 12 position connector for each player and do away with the 6 position connectors entirely...

Player1: Molex .093 12 position connector - 12 wires - Left,Right,Up,Down,Start,B1,B2,B3,--BINGO! Either that, or I was attempting to say "before" but it was too many letters to type--,B5,B6,Gnd
Player2: Molex .093 12 position connector - 12 wires - Left,Right,Up,Down,Start,B1,B2,B3,--BINGO! Either that, or I was attempting to say "before" but it was too many letters to type--,B5,B6,Gnd
Player3: Molex .093 12 position connector - 12 wires - Left,Right,Up,Down,Start,B1,B2,B3,--BINGO! Either that, or I was attempting to say "before" but it was too many letters to type--,B5,B6,Gnd
Player4: Molex .093 12 position connector - 12 wires - Left,Right,Up,Down,Start,B1,B2,B3,--BINGO! Either that, or I was attempting to say "before" but it was too many letters to type--,B5,B6,Gnd


The beauty of this system is that every player is identical and it makes changing player order fairly easy by swapping plugs.

[neopolss]

I love molex connectors.  It takes a bit of practice to get those wires firm, but then it makes for a beautiful cab.  And believe me, there will come a point when you are thankful you put in the time to use them.