.187" vs .250" female quick-disconnects

[Dan]

I'm almost ready to wire up my first interchangeable control panel and was wondering if it's a bad idea to use .250" female qd's instead of .187" size because I already have a whole box full of the .250" size.

Thanks,
Dan

[1UP]

If you're just using them to connect to your joysticks and buttons, the .187 are the ones that fit.  I don't know how likely it is that the .25 will slip off, but if you've got the parts, just try them out.

If you're using them as panel-to-cabinet connections, you can use whatever you want.  Just get some male .25 connects and you'll be set.

[drabbit]

Cherry microswitches use the .187 connectors, The .250 connectors might slip off because only one side of the connector will actually be holding on.

You could use them as a temporary measure, but to make the best possible connection get the .187 ones. For what they are worth money wise, you will be saving alot on more headack piles...

[Lilwolf]

I did that on my first project and they kept falling off.  My first project was just a control panel and I didn't have access to fix it without a TON of work.  I got so PISSED OFF that I finally bought an arcade machine and did it right..

so it's a great idea if you want to scrap your current project and do a bigger one

they are like 4 bucks for 100, get the right ones and you wont be sorry

[1UP]

BTW, keep the .250s and use them for your coin door--they fit percect!

[darkmanx]

hey i picked up some of the quick disconnects, and ummm......how exactly do i use them? i dont get it. the package had no instructions whatsoever.

[Jonathan_the_Red]

What's to figure out? Slip your wire in the cylindrical end, crimp it nice and tight with a crimping tool, and slide it onto the male disconnect on the microswitch. Make sure you connect to the COM (common) connect for ground and the NO (normally open) connect for the switch. Don't use the NC (normally closed) connect.

BTW, "quick connect", "connect", and "disconnect" are all synonyms. The actual thingamabobs are none of the above... that is, they're not quick, and they don't easily connect or disconnect  I shredded my finger and thumbtip pretty fierce trying to jam the damned things on. You can use a pliers, but be careful, because it's easy to bend the connects on the microswitches. It's not a tragedy if you do, since they bend back easily enough, but probably best that you don't.

[darkmanx]

well, i dont get it cuz i need to daisy chain the ground, how can i do that with these? and how much should i strip the wire?

[JustMichael]

Dan:
You can use them but your mileage may vary.  If they grip the tabs tight enough to hold on then they should be fine.

Darkmanx:
You crimp them onto the wire that you hook up to the microswitches.  With the quick disconnects on the wire, you can easily disconnect the wire from the switch simply by pulling the connector.

[Jonathan_the_Red]

Stripping about 3/8" - 1/4" of insulation should be enough. See my response to your other post re. daisy chaining.

[darkmanx]

ok, thanks for the help, i really appreciate it. and i realise you guys probly want to smack me, but to daisy chain the common do i just put 2 wires into the round opening or what?

[Jonathan_the_Red]

Again, see my response to your other post. Short answer: yes, put two wires in the connect

Don't worry about getting smacked. I've said it before and I'll say it again (and I'm sure I speak for most of us): I got an invaluable amount of help from the cab-building community when I was building my cab, and I'm only too happy to give back by helping others.

[darkmanx]

alright, didnt see it. thanks again!

[darkmanx]

btw, am i the only one who thinks this site and its forums should be referred to as "the do-it-yourself arcade bible"?

[CD_Vision]

I have some pix near the bottom of this page showing how to use QD's:

http://www.darkravenwind.com/cdvision/madcatz2.htm