[R-390] R-392 Power Connector

[Barry Hauser]

Hello Osamu

There are two types of crimp-on connectors I've used and a possible third. 
One type is a "butt" connector.  This is the kind that is used to splice two 
wires together. You crimp the wire side and slip on the other.  They usually 
come with insulation which extends beyond the metal.  The receiver side 
needs to have that trimmed.  At first it will be loose, so you use the 
crimpers to make it a little smaller and test-fit until it is snug enough. 
The insulation on the butt connector prevents shorting to the other pins in 
the R-392 panel connector.

The second kind is a round "snap" connector that comes in mail and female, 
often used in automotive installations.  The male version has a taper to 
it -- a narrow spot that snaps and holds in the female one. They usually 
have blue or yellow transparent insulation. You'd need the female.

I haven't tried this, but you might also be able to use modified "Molex" 
connectors.  These are the nylon multi connectors also used in automotive 
applications, but most familiar as the 4-conductor versions used in 
computers to supply power to the hard drives, CD-Rom drives, etc.  If you 
have some of these around, you can try cutting them lengthwise to separate 
them into individual units.  You can also pick up two-conductor Molex 
connectors and, it might be that the spacing will allow connection to two of 
the pins in the R-392 jack.  Or you can remove the metal terminals inside 
(they float around a bit), solder them onto the supply leads and use heat 
shrink tubing to insulate them.

First step is to look around in your junk box.

Of course, another approach is to use alligator clips with the insulating 
boots, making sure that the boots are pushed forward.  Then use tape to keep 
them from accidentally getting pulled off.  This is the messiest.

You'll probably want to go for the connector eventually to keep things solid 
and professional looking.  Have you checked with William Perry?  His prices 
are supposed to be reasonable, but it could be expensive with the shipping 
to Japan.

To make things clearer, here are the links to the terminal types on the 
Radio Shack web site

Butt connectors:
http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=64-3037

These are the round crimp on terminals:
http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=64-3086

Here is a two conductor female "molex" -- Radio Shack calls them 
"interlocking" connectors:
http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=274-154

You probably have other electronics stores that carry these.  Probably all 
are also carried by auto parts stores.  If you have one of those Check the 
diameter of the R-392 power connector pins.

Sometimes you can find a plastic bottle cap that will fit over the outside 
of a mil connector -- maybe even a green one ;-).  Then you can use that to 
provide a finished look to it.  Of course, if you're concerned about that, 
even after the creativity, you'll probably go and order that $30 connector.

Hope this helps
Barry









----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Osamu Hazawa" <pomerol at mocha.ocn.ne.jp>
To: <R-390 at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sunday, June 12, 2005 3:54 AM
Subject: [R-390] R-392 Power Connector


> Hello All,
>
> I'm still thinking about how to do with the power connector ( 164-4FS).
> A source ask me $30 for the connector, so "making" the connector by
> myself would be the best.
>
> If so, what receptacle contacts would suit for the pins?
> I recall someone advised it before but I lost it after I drunk some shots 
> of
> "Wild Turkey"(Rare Breed) :-)
>
> Osamu Hazawa
>
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