Where to buy USB, PS2, Ethernet and headphone mounts?

[unclet]

I would like to have one USB, PS2, Ethernet and Headphone Jack ports mounted on the side of my cabinet so I can attach a keyboard/mouse/Ethernet/headphone cables to them for maintenance purposes without having to open up the cabinet directly to connect all of this stuff.

Where can I get these type of adapters which can mounted to the side of a cabinet?  What are the correct names for this stuff anyway?  Should I be able to find them cheap on Ebay perhaps?

Actually buying one unit which has all of these type of adapters already included might be nice and might be easier to mount (although buying them each separately might save me money).   Do they make these with a little plastic "door" which can slide up/down to hide the adapter plugs perhaps?   Might be nice to slide the door open and then plug in the adapters when needed but then close the door again when the adapters are not being used.

[polaris]

one way would be to buy an extension cable for each, then just plug in and mount the socket end in your panel if ya get me.
otherwise you would be looking for a 'panel mount' socket for each and have to wire them up yourself.

[unclet]

Yeah, buying extension cables would do the trick but I would not know how to mount them in my MDF so they do not look like loose extension cable ends dangling there in a hole I cut.   I was hoping that some type of adapter box exists which would let me screw it in and that would look professional (or at least less like a hack) then just using extension cables.

Now, perhaps I misunderstood what you were saying.  If I did, then a picture is always nice   

[Franco]

one way would be to buy an extension cable for each, then just plug in and mount the socket end in your panel if ya get me.
otherwise you would be looking for a 'panel mount' socket for each and have to wire them up yourself.

Thats what i did...



You could get an all in one solution from frontfx http://www.frontx.com/index.html





You can mix and match the components you need and then mount the whole panel in your cab.

[unclet]

Looks good but those prices are pretty expensive. 

For "one" PS2 adapter mount they want $7.00 (not sure if shipping and taxes also apply).  This comes with a 6" inch cable only (I would need at least a 4 foot cable) and does "not" include the mounting screws. 

Is this the normal price for this type of stuff?   The total would be a lot of money if I wanted to get two USB, PS2, Ethernet and Headphone mounts all with extended cable lengths plus screws.

Anyone else have a cheaper solution?

[Franco]

There is also this type of thing available for USB. Not a cheap example there but you could probably find cheaper.

You could aslo use a USB hub like this for example. You would need to route/jigsaw a square hole for it.

Then for your 3.5mm headphone jack just drill a hole and use something like this.

For your ps2, drill a hole and use something like this.

For ethernet ive been struggling to find something suitable for you. Best thing I can find to mount for you would be something like this.  Obv its ethernet>USB though. You would need to drill a hole and then file it square or something similar to the USB hub.

[unclet]

Well I can always get extension cables yeah ..... but mounting them is the hard part.  I did not want the ends of those extension cables just flopping around through a hole I drilled out.  It would look much better if they were mounted down properly with screws I guess.   

[Franco]

If you drill a hole the same size as the diameter as the circular components you can glue and flush mount them in the side of the cabinet. You can do the same for the square components if you cut a relief for them. There would be nothing to flop about and would look pretty sweet IMO 

Edit: These are what I used for my single USB mounts. I think you may struggle to find screw down mounts for the other components though.

[kelemvor]

Check out this place.

Can probably find them cheaper but gives you an idea.
http://www.lashen.com/vendors/calrad/keystone.asp

You can just use keystone plates like you'd have for your networking jacks and just insert whatever type of connector piece you want.

[kegger]

I went the Front X way and I agree a little expensive but it does give a clean look.

You do have to buy extension cables to make it to where the motherboard is. The headphone jack will mute the cab speakers when you insert the head phones which in my case is a benefit.

[unclet]

Ok, the FrontX has the other connectors but they do not have an Ethernet panel mount connector.  Does anyone know where to get a panel mount Ethernet connector?

[polaris]

heres some

[unclet]

Thanks ......

[chrisindfw]

I like this idea. I need to consider doing this when I make my new cab.

It seems like there are alot of mounting options for connections. What about getting a small fuse like box enclosure from the hardware store, paint it, and then put it in your cab? That way if you use a mix of connectors and have them all in one enclosure.

[kelemvor]

I can see having a Headphone jack and a USB jack on CP but don't think I'd have a need for anything else.  But I'd want ones that were flush with the top of the CP and didn't stick up like most of them seem to.

[knave]

For the usb and headphone jacks you could pick up a used PC case that has front ports and cut out a home-made panel which you could inset into the cab.  A li'l paint and it should blend in.  I'm pretty sure some case mod parts are available that wil do this.  Good luck.

[DeLuSioNal29]

Here's what I would do:

Choose where you want the receptacle to be on your unit.  Cut a hole big enough to fit this gang box.  There's no need to be perfect, the receptacle cover will cover up any imperfections: (pictured below)
http://electrical.hardwarestore.com/14-45-electrical-boxes-low-voltage.aspx
This gang box is specially made with butterfly bolts at the end so that when you screw it in, it holds itself to the wood of your juke box.    You can also find this at your local Home Depot or Lowes stores.

This will allow a standard size receptacle cover to screw into the gang box for a nice flush look.  You can paint the receptacle cover any color that will match your jukebox.  In this case the receptacle cover can be a "keystone" which will allow you to buy any component you wish and "snap" in.

http://www.ramelectronics.net/audio-video/audio-video-wallplates/c10000-c19000-p1.html

Relatively inexpensive, and you get exactly what you want.

~ DeLuSioNaL

[unclet]

Funny .... I just went out about one hour ago and bought the junction box (you have pictured), a black dual switch box, a black receptacle cover and a couple of extension cords (which I will cut apart so I can add switches to them).

I found the Ethernet connector you have pictured at Ram Electronics, but I can not find the USB connector you have pictured.  Can you supply a link to the USB connector?   Also, can you help me find headphone jack and PS2 connectors as well.

BTW: Thanks for the information.

[kelemvor]

Keystones are what I originally suggested but if you look at the USB one in your pictures (the last one) it looks like it will stick way out from the plate which is what I don't want.  I may look into stripping the front panel off a PC I don't use or something like that.

[DeLuSioNal29]

The USB port I pictured was from behind which sticks out, however on the front it is flush.

You can find the keystone usb port here:
http://www.lashen.com/vendors/calrad/keystone.asp

audio jack:
http://www.connectworld.net/cgi-bin/ccc/RM35-BK

I couldn't seems to find a PS2 version anywhere, but you can always grab an adapter from ps2 to usb for cheap.  The adapter should not be an issue for a simple keyboard connection.  Then all you had to do is get two USB ports.

** edit - I would of course shop around for the best price and try to get all the ports from the same place to save on shipping **

[kelemvor]

Wow.  That place is expensive.  $10 per jack...  Damn.  Wish Monoprice would carry these things.

[unclet]

Yeah these things are expensive ...... I have to decide what I really want/need ..... 

Thanks for the links