How about those Molex microfit connectors?

joe tomten

joe tomten

100 W
Joined
May 13, 2009
Messages
211
Location
E. Mass., U.S.A.
I just received a number of the SMD LVC boards of the tppacks design from Geoff57 has developed.

Li-fe varient.

So now I want to connect it to cell logs for diagnosis and to a cell-level balance charger, and I'm interested in trying out the molex microfit 3.0(mm) connectors for a more robust alternative to the jst-xh approach.

Anyone have experience with these? Do I need a $300+ crimper just to get started?

Appreciating any input on this.

thanks,
Joe
 
I have used them quite a bit over the last year or so for balance connections and to replace the connectors supplied with ebike kits. You have a choice of pins and sockets for different wire sizes and with different plating (gold/tin).

You can use this tool to save money - it is more versatile but not as good or as easy to use as the more expensive one...
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=WM17552-ND
 
I would choose 30u gold plated terminals if I intended to have more than 10 mating cycles.
 
I'm sort of liking these crimpers for their $34 price tag.
http://www.king-cart.com/cgi-bin/cart.cgi?store=phoenixent&product_name=HWS16166

Though there are lots on ebay as well.

Good idea on the 30u terminal plating.

Daughter watching me insists on applying the following what'sits:
:lol: ,

:roll:
 
Joe:

None of the crimpers do a very good job. I have tried several types. The only way I have been able to insure a perfect connection is to tin the wire before crimping. After I insert the tined wire into the pin and crimp I add heat to weld the wire to the pin. This is time consuming but it insures a connection that won't pull out.

Barry
 
Barry, thanks for the tinned wire hint.

In searching for the which crimper to buy I came across this helpful write up.
http://www.hansenhobbies.com/products/connectors/Connectors.pdf

Decent price for a crimper as well.

Video here:
http://www.hansenhobbies.com/products/connectors/tools/crimp_dx/

hopefully i'll be able to do both jst-xh and the molex micro-fit's with this crimper.
 
If you end up getting the deluxe version Joe, I would like very much to read how you end up liking them... especially for the JST-XH pins. It would be nice to have both the insulation and wire wings crimped in one pass like the $500 version does. That video sure makes it look easy, and the price isn't bad either IMO. A while back, I tried these simple crimpers discussed in this RCG post, but found it took a lot of practice and finesse to get the crimps done well... not to mention at least two crimp actions per pin. Ok i guess if you're only making up a couple of row connectors, but it was difficult for me. :evil:

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=13908719&postcount=18
 
Hi
On those boards of mine there is a output connector beside the optos for you to attach a jst hx balance lead, I keep them in stock for anyone to buy when the boards are ordered.
The micro fit connection on the board was put there at the specific request of Gary he then decided to change to a different type of connector almost making it useless but since I had made the pad holes big enough for 18 gauge wire can be directly soldered to the board, I can get 18 gauge wires made up with crimps on them if enough people want them. Personally I will be sticking with the jst hx to jst hx 22 gauge silicone wires they mate with the cellogs, BM6 and most chargers as they are without any alteration.

Geoff.
 
Scoot,
The 'deluxe' crimper does the jst-xh crimping in a single stroke.
The feel of the tool is suprisingly good, with positive action and nice ratcheting.

I did get a bunch of the microfit connectors that I'll connect up to geoff's lvc boards, and be able to plug my charger into, as well as use them as the main insertion point for my cell-logs.

They seem like a nice way of making a bunch of contacts where you need to be repeatedly connecting and unconnecting them.

We'll see.
 
Thankyou for that feed back Joe. Great find on that crimper. I wish i could have found that one in my web search 6 months ago when I really needed it :roll: . Interestingly enough, I had to turn down a request for making 120 8s balance harnesses because I was not willing to fork out for one of the official versions from Digikey. As I am sure I will need one again sometime soon, I think I'll go ahead and get one so I'll be ready when I need one again. :mrgreen:
 
Yes, but you also might get what you pay for...
 
Yup, absolutely true. That's why I didn't by the $18 version somewhere else.

Scoot, I have lots of tools, both decent and cheesy. This one is decent, and a good value.

Sure, you could spend 2, 3 or five times as much for the same tool function. Though I seriously doubt you'd get 2 - 5 more value from it.
 
I already have that DELUXE crimping tool.. but i'm looking for the die only.. I dont have the right die.. the actual one i have is for HEX rg connector...

any recomamndation for the die?

Doc
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top