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Connector's for Swappable panels?

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Cakemeister:

IMO the easiest way is to use a separate encoder for each controller, so you just plug in a USB cable (if your encoders are USB) from the PC to the controller. No muss, no fuss. All you need is one USB cable and the right female connector on each controller, plus the same encoder on each controller, with the same keymappings on each, so the driver doesn't get confused.

SavannahLion:


--- Quote from: mountain on November 20, 2008, 02:18:22 pm ---I am sure the reason he said that they were not meant to be cycled over and over is due to the lack of a strain relief system. Without it, the wires would break near the crimp rather soon from the constant pulling.
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You aren't supposed to pull on the wires when disconnecting any sort of plug anyways. In a normal stereotypical molex installation, if there is so much strain on the wires as to cause concern about breakage near the crimp something is wrong.

The 25 cycles is in reference to the durability rating Molex gives their connectors. According to their specifications, the connectors may oxidize and there is a portion of the connector that removes this oxidation when cycling. For Tin plated connectors, the removal process also removes a layer of the plating (it's not supposed to occur with Gold plating). Eventually, you wear off so much of the connector that you get down to non-conductive material or the contacts have an air gap and can't make a good connection.

It's mentioned here. (They had a nice PDF going into nasty details about this, but now I can't find it  ??? )


--- Quote from: Cakemeister on November 20, 2008, 02:50:06 pm ---IMO an expensive way is to use a separate encoder for each controller, so you just plug in a USB cable (if your encoders are USB) from the PC to the controller. No muss, no fuss. All you need is one USB cable and the right female connector on each controller, plus the same encoder on each controller, with the same keymappings on each, so the driver doesn't get confused.

--- End quote ---

Fixed that sentence for you.  ;)

Franco B:


--- Quote from: CheffoJeffo on November 20, 2008, 02:02:08 pm ---I recall Ken Layton pointing out that Molex connectors had a limited life span, so they were probably not the best option for connectors that would be frequently cycled.

While I can't find Ken's post, I do note the following from Marvin3M, which reinforces what Franco says (and may be his source for the 25 use life cycle):


--- Quote ---The style of Panduit and Molex connectors used in pinball generally have a 25 "cycle" life span (a "cycle" is one removal and re-installation of a connector). And frankly, after as few as five cycles, there could be problems because of the high vibration pinball environment, the reduced terminal pin tension, and the age of many games.
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http://marvin3m.com/connect/index.htm#worn

 :cheers:

EDIT: Other posts since I start writing this, but I think it still holds to the point ...

EDIT2: I've been looking at the BMI spec, but can't seem to find a reference to cycle life span (other than "high").

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I think it was Kens post that I read, It was definitely a post a read on this forum. If Ken posted it I'm inclined to take it as gospel.


--- Quote from: patrickl on November 20, 2008, 02:13:34 pm ---
--- Quote from: Necro on November 20, 2008, 01:58:42 pm ---And...honestly...I can't solder worth a damn and working with the DB connectors frightens me a bit because of the small size.  What is a 'solder cup'?  Not sure I've see that or know what it is?
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Soldering wires into a DB connector is the easiest thing you can do. You slide the wire into a little tube and fill it with solder.

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Yup, its actually one of the first things I have ever soldered but I found it fairly easy. Strip the right gauge wire and place it in the bucket, place the iron and solder at the right position and the solder wicks into the bucket/wire nicely. Heat shrink the connection and job done :)




--- Quote from: Necro on November 20, 2008, 01:58:42 pm ---
ANd Fraco I really like your setup.  What do you mean you bridged 5 poles for the +5?  So +5 is running to 5 pins on the DB connector?  Will I need to do something similar for ground?  (the CP will be lighted...)

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After disscussion in another thread I was advised that sharing the whole 5v though one pin may not be advisable for both voltage and in case the joit becomes dry etc. I ended up bridging  four pins for the +5v.

Old (bad) photo but you get the idea:



Necro:

Well...it seems making a nice plate/attachment area with DB style connectors is the way to go.  If soldering them is as easy as people are mentioning, then hopefully I can do it.  

Thanks for all the help.  Now to figure out the number of wires I need.

And thanks for the picture Franco.  That makes total sense.  Definitely understand how to set this up now. 

Ginsu Victim:

Soldering to a DB plug is super easy. I stink at soldering and still manage to do those nicely.

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