[Elecraft] Dual-row socket headers - receptacle problems

[Tom Hammond]

Folks:

I posted to the reflector a while back about a problem similar to this with 
the socket used for the KDSP2, but now, it appears to have shown up with a 
K2 as well. No matter how much effort Elecraft expends in attempting to 
ensure that all of their components are perfect, there will be a few which 
will undoubtedly slip through the cracks.

John Smith just posted a note to the reflector regarding problems he was 
having with inserting a dual-row PIN connector into a dual-row SOCKET.

It seems that some of the finger-receptacles in one row of the socket had 
been (mechanically) inserted improperly and they would not accept the pin 
contact from the connector. When the finger-receptacle is inserted into the 
plastic housing, it can be inserted at an angle, rather than straight in. 
This, in turn, forces the fingers of the receptacle to be pushed together 
so they won't allow insertion of a mating pin.

Though you CAN 'force' the finger-receptacle open to the point that it will 
accept the pin, this is probably not the best way to attack the problem and 
may well lead to contact failure later on.

BEFORE you install ANY multi-pin socket (single- or dual-row), test-fit the 
mating pin plug into the socket, to ensure that the two will properly mate. 
If you cannot readily insert the plug, there's a good chance that the 
socket is defective. In most instances, if the socket is of the dual-row 
type, the problematic receptacles will exist in one of the two rows. But 
confirm this before assuming such.

If you find that you do have a problem socket. Using a pair of needle-nosed 
pliers, carefully remove each of the 'problem' receptacles from the plastic 
housing and reinsert them back into the housing, making sure that they go 
STRAIGHT into the housing, rather than at an angle.

Once the contacts have been removed and reinstalled, re-try your effort to 
mate the two connectors.

If, as some have found, you have already installed the socket and THEN you 
find that it won't accept the pin connector, all is not lost. You CAN 
carefully pull the plastic housing off of the sockets. Once removed, you 
can then identify the sockets which are not properly aligned and can 
carefully bend them into position before reinstalling the plastic housing. 
But is IS easier if you fix the problem BEFORE you solder the connector to 
the PC board.

ON A RELATED NOTE...

Wayne has taken a lot of effort to remind us that when we install both the 
multi-pin connectors and sockets we must ensure that they are either 
parallel to or vertical with the PC board. this is a somewhat subjective 
effort.

In my assembling, I've found it much easier to test-fit the plugs and 
sockets into the PC boards in which they will be mounted and then leave 
them installed (though not soldered) in the PC board while I solder in the 
specific connector being installed at that time. this helps to ensure that 
both connectors DO fit together and that they will be properly positioned 
once they're installed.

Once the subject connector has been soldered into place, it then unplug the 
PC boards and return the unsoldered connector to its place in the 
inventory, until it's ready to be soldered later. At which time I again 
install it in the PC board and mate the two boards together for the 
duration of the soldering.

Works for me... every time.

73,

Tom Hammond   N0SS