[sdiy] External power connectors

[Cynthia Webster]

on 12/2/04 2:12 AM, Tom Arnold at xyzzy at sysabend.org wrote:

> I'm hoping people have good opinions/ideas on this...
> 
> I'm trying to settle on an external power connector to standardize on.
> I've built a few rackmount supplies that give me +-12,+-15,+-5 and I want a
> good connector to run to fracrac boxes and other rack units.
> 
> I've been thinking of using CB mic connectors for this.  I used to know
> these as the CBC4,CBC5,CBC6 connectors.
> https://www.gijoesradioelectronics.com/scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=147
> has some pictures ( the C4,5,6 ).  They are just metal shell connectors with
> a threaded locking collar.  The jacks are cheap, the connectors are cheap.

These CB Mic connectors work really well for inter cabinet system power.
Modcan uses a three-pin version for +/- 15 and Ground, and I have been
known to use the C-4 connector with an extra pin to support a 5 volt pin
in addition to the above.

For Connections from the synth to an ~analog~ keyboard and back, I supply
an interface module with an eight pin CB connector (C-8) that sends the four
power pins into the the keyboard, and returns trigger, Gate, and two control
voltages back to the auxiliary bus to support duophony or pitch and modwheel
configurations.  

So far these connectors have been working great!
I even punched 5/8 holes for these same connectors into all of my SixPac
enclosures so that interfacing to the outside world would be simplified.

Radio Shack sells the 4-pin version regularly, and
they can also be found at Unicorn Electronics or any Calrad dealer.

I think that most Mics on CB radios today are more sophisticated than
only four pins can support, so the impression that I get is that although
they've been used for microphones for years... no one is really using them
for this anymore?

Cynthia

 



> 
> I looked in Mouser at various connectors and the closest I see to something
> like this in a decent quality connector would be one of those black plastic
> with the seperate pins, where the pins themselves cost more then the cheaper
> mic connectors.
> 
> I think my answer is gonna be "Quality costs money", but I figure I'd ask
> what other people use in case someone has a good option.
> 
> Thanks!