Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: gedman on May 25, 2017, 10:14:31 pm
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Can anyone identify this connector? My current Midway game uses a few of these for the disconnects of the Jamma wiring to the control panel. It appears to be setup without needing to crimp connectors to the ends of every wire like Molex.
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I think I figured it out. It is a Molex 0.156" IDC connector.
Folks on some online forums say this kind of connector is inferior and was used when making pinball machines and arcades because it is fast and cheap during manufacturing, but without real crimps the connections aren't reliable.
http://www.pinballlife.com/index.php?p=catalog&parent=235&pg=1 (http://www.pinballlife.com/index.php?p=catalog&parent=235&pg=1)
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yes, you are correct. they are called IDC or Insulation Displacement Connectors. these smaller ones in your photo are actually (0.1) in size though ...the larger connectors (0.156) like for the general illumination and whatnot are usually what you hear about needing replacing.
problem with these connecors (the bigger ones, the smaller ones are fine) the connectors are only designed to carry a few amps AT MOST. When these connectors where chosen they failed to notice they were putting upwards of 5 amps through these poor connectors and they get absolutely fried.
The connector part in your photo is also called a "molex Z connector" it allows 2 IDC plugs to be connected together.
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Huh, you learn something new every day, I always refer to them in my Tron cab (waaaaay unfinished) as the small ones= crumbled pos and the large ones = melted pos.
:)