I have been trying to find some decent connectors to use on my printers, so I can quick connect things like different hot ends and so forth. I was using some pci connectors, but they are too flimsy with movement (Rostock Max v2 and P3steel, need them for upcoming cnc build too). A buddy had some of these laying around and offered them up. Anyone have any thoughts or used XLR connectors before? If you have other connectors in mind, feel free to suggest. I’m going need to buy more if I go this route. They have this version and a gold plated one at 10A per contact
There is a reason the audio industry uses XLR connectors - Robustness. How suitable their other specs will be for your application will depend on exactly what you are hooking up.
If you want to connect only a hotend with these connectors, it seems okay for that purpose.
I use Molex Micro-Fit connectors (18 poles) for my whole extruder base (includes hotend, thermistor, stepper motor, fan, endstop for X-Axis, inductive sensor, an additional filament cooling fan, LED strip and another additional Data line). I think what is more important are proper cables - I am using high-quality igus robot cables. They are flexible yet don’t wobble around the place.
Also the major difference between Neutrik and Molex connectors is the price.
A. Upgrade your machine to 24v. There’s no sense in having all these strange connectors to try and solve an amperage problem when you can solve it by upping the voltage.
B. DB9/15 connectors are rated for plenty. They’re common, they’re cheap, and they’re easy to wire with the right crimper.
Thanks all. I did want all in one, like mentioned, but my fans, optical sensors are all not needed to move at this point. However, I was looking for connectors for those too, but likely 2pin and 4 pin for those and didn’t mention because the low amperage wasn’t too concerning. These connectors were for hotend and thermistor and my extruder motor. I will take a look at all your suggestions! I literally spent hours on Jameco and digikey going through connectors yesterday and ending with a headache. Digikey really needs to get more photos!
As for 24v, my replaced wires were upgraded for it. Connectors I’m looking for I will account for it. Eventually, I will change the power supply.
As @Carsten_Wartmann said. Higher voltage means you actually don’t need thicker wires, etc. It means you can get away with thinner. You do have to change your heater cartridge to account for it, and electronics have to be able to handle it. That’s the big thing.
Fwiw XLR connectors fail at around 7-8 amps. I was using them for battery disconnects on another project. This was at 12vdc. Usually the pins would loosen up, start generating more heat and melt the head.
XLR connectors are heavy. They are designed to be walked on, rolled over, and generally indestructible. It seems a little overkill when a microfit will be just about as robust in your application and weigh a lot less.
You could try anderson PowerPoles, they should be decent, a ton of people use them in the Ham Radio world where reliability is a big factor, with radios drawing 120+ watts though them.
Another thought, you can buy the right sized pins and sockets from Mill-Max and print your connector housing. https://www.mill-max.com/new_products/pages/wire-termination-pins-and-receptacles
Or go with small custom circuit boards to hold the specific pins you want.
For higher currents there’s the specialty D-sub combo styles that mix signal and power up to 40A.
You can find them at digikey on the d-sub connectors page, filter connector style to “D-sub, Combo”. http://www.animatics.com/products/smartmotor.html is one good example of their use.