Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - OK - how do you connect your lights?
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Richard Cranium
02-10-09, 08:30 AM
What are some of the favorite "connectors" used for light headlamps and battery packs? I went to radio shack and purchased some "dinky" 9volt-style snap connectors. But now I realize that they seem too fragile for repeated use demanded by light systems that might be used all-night, many nights per season.
The nicest connectors I know about were on one of my old Vista light rechargeable system. The battery pack had a "female" plug, and the body of each headlamp contained a "male" jack molded into the lamp body.
I can't find these connectors for sale and radio shack, but they show up on all kinds of cheap power supply etc.....
What do you think is the easiest bullet-proof connector style, and where can I get them?
I would try an R/C model shop.
Batteryspace.com has a good selection of connectors
http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=317
go to an automotive store and buy some there. Small connectors that usually connect to temp sensors and such are very nice. weatherpack, metripack, etc are some names.
Or go to www.digikey.com (http://www.digikey.com) or www.mouser.com (http://www.mouser.com)
unterhausen
02-10-09, 10:39 PM
I have seen this recommended.
http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=3234
ymmv
cyccommute
02-11-09, 08:55 AM
I would try an R/C model shop.
Batteryspace.com has a good selection of connectors
http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=317
The Batteryspace page list Dean Ultra Connectors. They are strong, tight and have low resistance. You do have to solder them to you wires but once in place they are problem free. Anderson Power Poles aren't bad either.
Richard Cranium
02-11-09, 06:25 PM
Yeah, this is what i'm getting --
http://www.batteryspace.com/ProductImages/connectors/connectwp001.jpg
sunstealth
02-12-09, 04:37 PM
you could always use crimp on RCA jack , pretty efficient and you can use up to 10 gauge wire in them
Zero_Enigma
02-12-09, 10:00 PM
OP one quick and cheap way is probably all around you. If you're typing on this forum you likely have access to a computer. A simple way is to use the computer 4 pin ===[. . . .] [o o o o]==== connectors you can find cheap and likely free.
Check garbage day for poeple throwing out old computers or around computer shops. If you ask nicely or check around the shop you can find those cables to be used. THey hold quite secure and need a little muscle and wiggle to remove them.
Tho if you want something to look better it has been said BatterySpace has a nice one-stop shop parts list but if you live outside the USA the S/H costs are too high.
bicycleflyer
02-12-09, 11:01 PM
On my home brew lights I went to an auto parts store and bout a 2-prong rubber plug. I think they are designed for exterior or trailer systems. Cheap, durable, and last a long time.
go to an electronics store and get a molex connectors and use silicone seal and heatshrink to make them watertight