Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Want to place a quick-connector on my dynamo hub wire. What part am I looking for?

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lukasz
10-10-09, 08:33 PM
I very simply want to cut the wire joining my dynamo hub to my light, and insert a connector (presumably attaching a male connector to one end of the cable and a female to the other) that will allow me to quickly disconnect and connect the wire so that I can take off and put on the wheel at my leisure. I don't even know the name of the part I am searching for! Anyone?

edit: I think that what I need is something like this - http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2998436

Ideally I'd like it to be a single pair of connectors though, rather than two pairs (one for each part of the wire)


mechBgon
10-10-09, 09:04 PM
I'd buy a DiNotte Lithium-ion extension cable, cut it in half, and there's your male & female plugs. They're coaxial (nice if you're attempting to connect them in the dark) and are waterproof. And they look tasteful, too :) You can find those in DiNotte's online store: http://store.dinottelighting.com

Zen Bicycle
10-10-09, 10:23 PM
Check Digikey for conexall or weatherpack for some good connectors. Or your local junk yard under the hood.

Or Pm me and I will send you some I use at cost.


lukasz
10-11-09, 06:40 PM
That Weatherpack stuff looks great! Apparently Napa Automotive sells them. Going to go check it out tomorrow. What kind do you use, Zen Bicycle?

The double pronged Weatherpack connectors should do exactly what I'd like, and nothing but crimping required. Perfect!

Zen Bicycle
10-12-09, 10:00 AM
I use conexall, but they have pretty specific fit requirements.

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb215/g_pace1/Connectors/unconnected.jpg

The weatherpack are good though and I started out with them. Just make sure that you shrink wrap the wires up to the strain relief, then around the connector itself and back down to the wire. It usually took me about three different sizes of shrink wrap to get it good and tight. Otherwise the wires will bend right at the strain relief and eventually break.

Gunther
11-17-09, 02:19 PM
ZenBicycle,
I am also looking to install an in-line connector in the tail-light feed and like the looks of the Conxall. Can you elaborate on the specific model connector you are using? I've got a Supernova E3 taillight that uses 2 individual conductors (~22 ga each) inside a piece of heat shrink tube. I'm uncertain how the strain relief connector will function with this arrangement (non-cable) and whether the conductors themselves can be adequately secured to the connector pins.

Also, anyone have a good source for the spade connectors for a Schmidt dynohub?

tatfiend
11-17-09, 08:00 PM
ZenBicycle,
I am also looking to install an in-line connector in the tail-light feed and like the looks of the Conxall. Can you elaborate on the specific model connector you are using? I've got a Supernova E3 taillight that uses 2 individual conductors (~22 ga each) inside a piece of heat shrink tube. I'm uncertain how the strain relief connector will function with this arrangement (non-cable) and whether the conductors themselves can be adequately secured to the connector pins.

Also, anyone have a good source for the spade connectors for a Schmidt dynohub?

I believe the Schmidt dynohub accepts standard 1/4" (6.35mm) female spade connectors which are available at Radio Shack or almost any electronics store. If not then Peter White Cycles states that they have all conectors used by the German dynamo and light brands they sell. I had them include some extras of the 3mm female spade connectors with the B&M Dymotec 6 I recently bought from them.

Most automotive connectors are intended for much thicker wire than the typical 22 gauge wiring used for dynamo lights.