Nice Big Connector advice

**C4M** · 05-17-2004, 01:40 AM

Sigh.

I'd like to put a nice big connector on the back of the new case to run all the connections to the stuff that doesn't come off the motherboard.

So, it will connect to:

Power button
Reset button
Video power
+5v out - power for hub
Ground for hub power
+12v
Ground
Accessory power (in and out)

That's a lot of connections. I figure that I'll need about 12 pins or so

I'd like to have one big plug that I can pull to remove from the car. As you can tell from the sig, most of my gear is all 5v, however good sense makes me want to use a connector that will handle the 8A or so that the PP&C 100w DC-DC supply has the potential to ask for (however unlikely).

I suspect that I will have to use one connector for power, and another for all the other little things.

So - here's the question: How are people connecting to their cars? We've seen the funky dash buttons and screens and powermates - but what is the terminating piece on the great umbilical cord in your setup?

C!

**frodobaggins** · 05-17-2004, 05:27 AM

www.molex.com has everything you need.

**C4M** · 05-17-2004, 06:55 AM

Originally Posted by frodobaggins

www.molex.com has everything you need.

I think that will be the answer. I tried to avoid those plugs today, but I uspect that I will be back and buying some tomorrow.

I was looking for something like this, but when the price comes in at >$100 for the plug, socket and pins (excluding the plug for when I connect the PC in the house), it's time to turn down the spend-o-meter.

Thanks for the link.

Anyone else? Watcha using? Or is it all too ghetto, and you're too embarassed?

C!

**nzKAOSnz** · 05-17-2004, 05:55 PM

Umm. how many wires does an ATX connecter have?
ATX-ATX Extensions are cheap..........

**frodobaggins** · 05-17-2004, 09:58 PM

Originally Posted by C4M

I tried to avoid those plugs today, but I uspect that I will be back and buying some tomorrow.

Why ? They make every kind of connector imaginable.
wire to wire, wire to header, header to header, plastic, metal, ...

**C4M** · 05-17-2004, 10:52 PM

Originally Posted by frodobaggins

Why ? They make every kind of connector imaginable.
wire to wire, wire to header, header to header, plastic, metal, ...

I'm cautious about ordering this kind of stuff without looking/touching first. On top of that, I'm in Australia, so to buy this kind of stuff usually means RS Components or Farnell. They tend to cherry pick particular lines, so some of the stuff that is available to you might not be available to me.

I found a sweet plug/socket kit yesterday, from Cannon via RE Components, but the total cost of what I needed was about AUD140. That's half the price of my motherboard for a 12 way plug socket! Gawp!

Anyway, no one has actually answered my question yet! What are people using to connect?

**gospeed.racer** · 05-17-2004, 11:08 PM

Well...lets see. I am using Sermos connectors (try local hobby shop, same as Anderson connectors) get my +12v, ground, and trigger...and I am using the regualr 9 pin din connector to the Lilliput...and 3, 1/8"phono to rca convertors. Everything else will be sermos also. They are very cheap and they can be assembled in a ton of different shapes. Not to mention they are rated 30 amps, so they chances of having a meltdown are very very slim. here is a link to see how they work and what they look like

**GoGoMobile** · 05-18-2004, 12:49 AM

Maybe Ive missed something but y not just use a printer cable or old monitor cable or the like? They are shielded (well some are) and run more than your fair share of pins.

**C4M** · 05-18-2004, 03:20 AM

Originally Posted by GoGoMobile

Maybe Ive missed something but y not just use a printer cable or old monitor cable or the like? They are shielded (well some are) and run more than your fair share of pins.

Because I need something that has the ability to carry 8A @ 12v on some of the lines. From all the input that I've got from electronics shops, pins and cables the size of D connectors (be they 9, 15 or 25) aren't going to be big enough to carry that sort of potential amperage.

Back to the question: What are you using?

C!

**Rob Withey** · 05-18-2004, 04:20 AM

Originally Posted by C4M

Back to the question: What are you using?

Not sure how useful this is going to be, but I have three hookups for my system:

1) Neutrik Speakon connector for the main power (in my application carries about 2.5A at 12V, but is capable of so much more). You can get them in up to 4 pole.
2) 9 pin d connector for audio, keyboard, power switch, aux-in switch control.
3) 8 pin mini din for VFD power and signal lines (D0-D3, +5V, 0V, R/S, CE)

I am planning to ditch the mini din and run the VFD through a serial interface (using 16F74 PIC to interface) using some spare pins on the 9 pin d, hence removing another connector.

Rob