[Milsurplus] Attaching cable to MS connectors

[WA5CAB at cs.com]

I recommend that you do not try to use heat shrinkable tubing for the wire 
sleeves.   Especially on any gauge over #18 or #20.  Even if you've done 
hundreds of connectors, trying to do it is a race between cold solder joints 
and pre-shrunk tubing.  Use the older tubing that already fits the wires.

Also, not all connectors have captive contacts.  If you are using 
connectors with non-captive contacts, start in the center and work out, rotating each 
contact to face out as you go around.

It also helps to have a small loose (not attached to the bench) vise and a 
chassis connector shell (right shell size and no insert) to hold the 
connector with.

And ditto the part about any ROhs compliant connectors.  If you even 
suspect that the connector might be one of those, fill all of the solder cups with 
normal solder and then desolder all of them.  Unless you want to redo it in 
2 or 3 years.

Robert D.

In a message dated 10/17/2012 20:04:13 PM Central Daylight Time, 
elespe at lisco.com writes: 
> Jim
> Are the cable conductors specified. If they are then start here. Note that 
> 
> one direction the conductors will arrange them selves to the pins and the 
> other is a jumble
> If there is no specification, just go with a nice organization of the 
> wires.
> Is it a new connector? Heat each pin and remove that *&%#@%* lead free 
> solder first. Old connector, clean it up and remove the solder already 
> there.
> Prepare the cable by making a clean cut on the end. Remove the jacket only 
> 
> as far as required to allow the connections whilst leaving the jacket 
> within 
> the confines of the clamp when assembled
> PUT THE CLAMP AND SHELL PIECES ON THE CABLE BEFORE ATTACHING THE 
> CONNECTOR!!!
> Note that the solder cup contacts are arranged one way with all cups up. 
> Start at the bottom and work your way across and up. I like to use a 
> little 
> heat shrink tubing boot on each wire---so solder quickly before the wire 
> gets hot and shrinks the boot. Keep a wet sponge handy if you need 
> emergency 
> cooling.
> That is about it
> A 37 pin connector install figure at least an hour for small gauge wire 
> and 
> twice that for the bigger stuff
> If it is not going well put it aside, make a clean start from scratch 
> tomorrow.
> Paul K0UYA
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Jim Haynes" <jhhaynes at earthlink.net>
> To: <milsurplus at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2012 7:46 PM
> Subject: [Milsurplus] Attaching cable to MS connectors
> 
> 
> >I need to put a connector on the end of a 37-conductor cable.  I've never
> >had any instruction nor seen any instructions on the proper way of doing
> >it - I've fumbled through doing it myself, but that was when I was much
> >younger.  Does anybody know a source of good instructions for doing this
> >kind of job?
> >
> 

Robert & Susan Downs - Houston
wa5cab dot com (Web Store)
MVPA 9480