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chevynut
01-25-2019, 12:20 PM
Anything wrong with this type of connector for automotive use? I see them used all the time in computers, appliances, etc. but not in cars and I was wondering why not. This would be for interior use only, as I'm using weatherpak connectors outside the car. These are just a lot more compact. Current rating is supposed to be 20A per contact (14 gauge wire) and contacts can take 14-20 gauge wires. Housings are nylon.



https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/nnAAAOSwxupbCJtB/s-l500.jpg

Bluegrass Trifive
01-25-2019, 12:49 PM
We use them on industrial equipment all the time. As you mentioned the environment they're used in is key. Dry areas only.

markm
01-25-2019, 12:52 PM
Those look a lot like what Mallory uses on a Unilite harness. I have a tach drive unit I have ran since the late 70s.

Rick_L
01-25-2019, 01:51 PM
I've used them on the ignition system in a race car, no problems at all. Used to be able to get them locally at Radio Shack, long before the internet.

Weatherpack has been largely superceded by Metripack and others, but the concept is similar, in that most have a ribbed silicone seal on both terminals and connector bodies.

chevynut
01-25-2019, 02:10 PM
The contact terminals on these look almost exactly like the weatherpak terminals. I was just wondering why automotive doesn't use them. They've been around for a long time.

55 Rescue Dog
01-25-2019, 03:45 PM
Connectors can be great depending on their use, but connectors can add resistance issues to a circuit. I prefer a good simple soldered, crimped splice, or terminal, which is more reliable, and easier. With a connector, there is always that one pin out of the bunch, that can screw up.

55 Tony
01-26-2019, 05:13 AM
Connectors can be great depending on their use, but connectors can add resistance issues to a circuit. I prefer a good simple soldered, crimped splice, or terminal, which is more reliable, and easier. With a connector, there is always that one pin out of the bunch, that can screw up.

Maybe he wants to be able to unplug it. I'd hate to work on a car with no connectors and all connections soldered. Removing the instrument panel would be a little difficult.

TrifiveRichard
01-26-2019, 05:40 AM
I’ve used them for years in cars I’ve built. They work well and are reliable, just need to keep them dry. One thing to note is they are not keyed uniquely (eg. all 4 pin connectors keyed the same,etc), so I use a marker to label use of the connector so they don’t get plugged into the wrong mate.

bigblock
01-26-2019, 07:37 AM
We've used these for years where the connection's were dry. CN the reason the auto industry don't use them is the supplier hasn't kick-back enough to the right people :)

chevynut
01-26-2019, 09:42 AM
Yeah I want to use these in a couple of places like my door wiring connectors and in my console where might I need to unplug stuff. Connectors also make a good place to access wires for troubleshooting. They would reside in the kick panel area, not inside the door, where I'll use weatherpaks. I have multiple wires coming out of my doors and I could use weatherpaks, however, the 12 pin Molex connectors I'd need are a lot smaller and less expensive. I also found some 12 position Packard-style blade connectors but they're bigger than the Molex connectors. If anyone is looking for the Molex parts I found them cheap at Mouser Electronics. Or you can buy them as individual kits on eBay. Thanks for the input.

55 Rescue Dog
01-26-2019, 10:15 AM
So many CNC machines, and equipment where I retired from used tons of mil-spec Amphenol connectors which work good for multi-conductor cables. They have an endless choice of different configurations, with as many pins you want. They look like this style.

https://www.amazon.com/Amphenol-Industrial-PT06A-22-55P-connector-contact/dp/B00DWI04ZS/ref=sr_1_11?m=A21C4U5X700J66&s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1548525964&sr=1-11&keywords=amphenol+electrical+connectors&refinements=p_6%3AA21C4U5X700J66

chevynut
01-26-2019, 10:31 AM
So many CNC machines, and equipment where I retired from used tons of mil-spec Amphenol connectors which work good for multi-conductor cables. They have an endless choice of different configurations, with as many pins you want.

Who wants a big screw together metal connector in their car for every connection? I'm not building an airplane or space capsule.

Price: $61.52 + $4.95 shipping

Nuff said. :eek:

56Safari
01-26-2019, 11:18 AM
AMASS has a variety of connectors used for drones and other electronics that need low resistance, continuous high amperage connections and are subject to vibrations. Might be worth a look to see if they have what you need, they're not expensive at all. Only downside I could see is that you don't crimp the pin you have to solder it, but they're very easy to solder. I paid $6 for a 5 pack of XT60 connectors, 60amp 500V rating. (If you go this route avoid knockoffs, they're not near as good and they're everywhere)

https://datasheet.lcsc.com/szlcsc/Changzhou-Amass-Elec-XT60L-M-Male-head_C99107.pdf

chevynut
01-26-2019, 12:21 PM
AMASS has a variety of connectors used for drones and other electronics that need low resistance, continuous high amperage connections and are subject to vibrations.

I don't know but I think maybe gold-plated connectors are a little over-kill for what I'm doing.;) Plus I'm not seeing anything over 3 contacts per connector. They do look like a good quality connector, and not expensive. When I was an engineering manager for HP one of my responsibilities was reliability qualification of interconnects (ASIC, Memories, CPUs, and connectors) for our computers. There are literally tens of thousands of connections inside a high end server and they all need to work. :)

55 Rescue Dog
01-26-2019, 03:37 PM
Who wants a big screw together metal connector in their car for every connection? I'm not building an airplane or space capsule.

Price: $61.52 + $4.95 shipping

Nuff said. :eek:
No, your car will never fly, it was just another option for some connections, that are commonly used on many things that don't fly. And they look cool. They can be good for something in a cable anyway, since the wires don't have to be fanned out into a bigger connector.
They take up less space, like I tried to do in school studying to be an astronaut.

mmsalt
01-26-2019, 04:45 PM
I use Molex connectors in aircraft interiors. They work great and provide positive connection. Great for interior use, i plan on using them on my 55.

scorpion1110
01-27-2019, 04:06 AM
No, your car will never fly, it was just another option for some connections, that are commonly used on many things that don't fly. And they look cool. They can be good for something in a cable anyway, since the wires don't have to be fanned out into a bigger connector.
They take up less space, like I tried to do in school studying to be an astronaut.

I always build my cars so that they will fly ;)

Scorp

Bitchin'57
01-27-2019, 07:29 PM
Who wants a big screw together metal connector in their car for every connection? I'm not building an airplane or space capsule.
LOL!

Gmvette
01-28-2019, 10:45 AM
They would appear to be just as good as the original spade type connectors that GM used for years. GM used the spade type everywhere inside and under the chassis. The brass terminals lasted for years under crummy conditions. The fact was they were easy to clip off and replace terminals. But the copper wires often corroded and required replacement as well. Today’s insulated wires seem far better to complement the weather tight terminals available. But they are more costly than Molex or the spade connections.

I’ve pulled apart some original 50’s & 60’s warped harness to find bad wiring as well as corroded terminals. Today heavier gauge wire complements better terminals for better safer longer lasting connections.