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OK - how do you connect your lights?

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OK - how do you connect your lights?

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Old 02-10-09, 08:30 AM
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OK - how do you connect your lights?

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?
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Old 02-10-09, 08:55 AM
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I would try an R/C model shop.

Batteryspace.com has a good selection of connectors

https://www.batteryspace.com/index.as...S&Category=317
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Old 02-10-09, 09:31 AM
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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 or www.mouser.com
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Old 02-10-09, 10:39 PM
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I have seen this recommended.
https://www.batteryspace.com/index.as...OD&ProdID=3234
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Old 02-11-09, 08:55 AM
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Originally Posted by jsharr
I would try an R/C model shop.

Batteryspace.com has a good selection of connectors

https://www.batteryspace.com/index.as...S&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.
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Old 02-11-09, 06:25 PM
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Yeah, this is what i'm getting --

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Old 02-12-09, 04:37 PM
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you could always use crimp on RCA jack , pretty efficient and you can use up to 10 gauge wire in them
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Old 02-12-09, 10:00 PM
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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.
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Old 02-12-09, 11:01 PM
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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.
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Old 02-13-09, 02:53 AM
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go to an electronics store and get a molex connectors and use silicone seal and heatshrink to make them watertight
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