Power connector options (please read Tim!)

[sbranco]

Wow nice pics. Thank you. That answered a lot of my questions right there. I just placed an order with Digi Key.

Connectors Digi Key #A19684-ND $0.37 each but if you buy 25 about $0.20 each Mfg Part #640600-6

Strain Relief Digi Key #A19784-NC $0.63 each Mfg Part #643071-6

T-Handle Digi Key #A9981-ND $17.93 each.

That will save me from at least most of the Molex and it sounds like that is a good thing and my power cord is going to look great! Thanks!

[tpryan]

Do you have a photo of the feed-through connectors installed on the modules?

[bradb]

Miles Davis had a saying that would apply to my power harness with these new connectors... "Clean as a broke dick dog."

I just installed these things (without using the tool) tested continuity and wired it up.. It looks stellar, I also threw a ferrite toroid on the power harness to kill noise, maybe it will do something.. who knows.

Sorry Tim, my girlfriend has my digicam on the other side of the globe right now and i can't post pics. I know, I know, that sucks, sorry!

[icephish]

Sorry about the long time between replies, I'm been snowed under at work (wireless telemetry, truck/trailer tracking, etc.) Once I get in another chassis I will post some additional pics for everyone.

[icephish]

Got a chassis in for repair (not a n72 problem...a user error...and I took the time to snap a couple of pics:






Are these what you were looking for?

[sbranco]

Not sure if that was what Tim wanted but I printed those pics out right away. We haven't quite started the build but are going to use these new connectors. Going slow. Actually my friends are probably going to put them together as I've gotten really busy at work. If they go slow enough, maybe I'll be able to help. Thanks for the pics. We plan to build out the entire wiring harness so its ready if we get around to more modules.

[ErikB]

How do you use the T-handle? If you click on the picture below, mine doesn't look exactly the same as the one pictured on the first page - the "teeth" look slightly different in width and spacing:


Got mine from Mouser (571-598041)....

[bradb]

you don't NEED the T-handle tool. a flat-head screwdriver will work, you'll get the hang of how deep to push them in. if i remember right, i pushed in between the metal tabs perpendicularily to the wire first, then longitudinally (with the wire) secondly.

[ErikB]

Cool, I got it worked out. Thanks.

[ErikB]

How much space between each connector? I left 9" between the PS03 and the first module and 8" between everything else. 8" is way too much space. Seeing as how I only have one N72, it won't be a problem making another harness down the road.

It looks like it should be 8" from PS to first module, then every 4" after that. Too much? Too little?

[sbranco]

We just did ours. I left about 10 or 11 inches between the power supply and first module and then 6" between every one. Had plenty of wire left and it looks pretty nice. I guess 10 or 11 inches should be good for the first one. We won't find out for a while cause I think we are going to start putting them in at 3 and 4 for our two N72's. The MTA connectors were pretty great compared to the couple of molex connectors I had to do for the power supply. I can't imagine having to crimp 72 molex connectors to do a whole harness without a molex tool. Thank you MTA and the guy who started this thread!

[Randyman...]

Hello there,

I am just finishing up my two J99's (waiting on the 990c's from Hardy), and I came across this thread (I already have 2 N72's and 2 A12's in my chassis, and the harness was done with needle nose pliers - what a PITA!!!). I tried searching over at Mouser, but the descriptions are French to me . Can any of you give me the exact model #'s for these "punch down" 6-pin molex connectors? Do you just use 9 of the same ones, or is there a "closed back" type for the PS connection, and for the last module connection? And, is the white "cap" included, or is that what you are calling the "strain relief"? A model # for the cap is also appreciated. And what gague wire are these for? I plan on building a completely new power harness - so I'll use new wire as well.

I like how Icephish's turned out in his pic - but I might be a tad happier with "closed end" ones for the PS and last module - so the exposed wires have no chance of shorting to the top of the chassis (I know - worrying for nothing). My Power Switch, LED, and Voltage Jumper Molex connectors are already "in the can", so I'm just focusing on the 6-pin power harness FWIW.

Sorry to be so dumb - but I have an excuse... I'm a drummer

Thanks for any help here. I just want to make sure I order the right parts. I'm in love with the A12 and N72, so the J99 should also blow my socks off once the 990c's come in!

I tip my hat to Tim Ryan for giving us this lovely DIY oppourtunity and killer service (when needed)!!!!

[dkatz42]

How do you use the T-handle?

There are instructions on the following link:

http://rocky.digikey.com/WebLib/Amp/Web%20Data/59803,4-1.pdf

There's also video at:

http://rocky.digikey.com/WebLib/Amp/Web%20Photo/Videos/Amp%20MTA.html

There's something kind of disturbing about the term "Mass Termination Assembly" however.

[sbranco]

The strain relief is the white plastic cover. They just snap on. We put the strain relief covers on all our connectors. I found it was cheap enough on Digi Key to just buy a bag of 25 connectors rather than individual ones. I think we did purchase the strain relief covers individually. I thought I posted the part numbers earlier in this thread MTA something.

[Randyman...]

Thanks for the clarification, sbranco! I went ahead and ordered 10 of the #640600-6 ("Feed Thru"), and 10 of the #643071-6 strain reliefs.

I also ordered 2 of the "571-6438186" which were labeled as "AMP MTA .156 Connector, CLOSED WITH TABS 6 pin". If these don't work for the PS and last module, I'll just use my 2 left-over crimp connectors (from my S.C. J99 kit) for the PS and last module. Making the crimp connectors is not bad with only 1 set of wires (as the PS and last module have), so I might just use those anyway. The middle 7 connectors are the PITA's, and I really think these "feed thru" connectors will make this a piece of cake, and very clean.

Still waiting on the 990c Opamps, so I can't test my new J99's just yet. They will be ready to go with a pretty new 9-node harness . Thanks for bringing these to our attention, icephish! What a cheap & worthwhile investment.