Small-ish 2 wire electrical connector?

[4regt4]

I'm looking for some small to mid size 2 wire electrical connectors. JST type connectors typically used with batteries are too small, fussy, and somewhat fragile. Automotive connectors are too big, and overkill anyway. Many Molex connectors are a bit big. I'm looking for something to connect stuff in an ebay. Is there a Goldilocks connector? I've looked at several of the usual rocket vendors, but haven't found anything.

This is the right idea, but I wonder how robust it is. It's still a JST connector. Something maybe a bit bigger, more robust would be good. Perhaps there is a connector along the lines of the bigger header pins.

https://www.apogeerockets.com/Elect...ories/JST-Quick-Disconnect-Connector-Set-1-pk

Hans.

 

[jgarbus]

I've been hunting for a reliable 2 pin connector for my L3 project and found these on digikey.

You need to buy the male and female shell and then pre pinned wires.

The longest wire stocked was 36" and are pre pinned male / female. I found 36" was more than enough to route both ends by cutting them 2/3 1/3

They locking tabs on them are well built and I've yet to have a tab break after a bunch of testing.

 

[WillMarchant]

You could look at the JF series https://www.winconn.com/connectors/connectors-other-mil-spec/rackpanel/

 

[SolarYellow]

Someone linked this combination several weeks ago:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QKMBLWR/

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N1RFZZ4/

I'd make sure I did my diligence on confirming exactly the right jaw set for the crimpers.

This version appears to be the connector used by Apogee:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09DP43TZG/

 

[jgarbus]

Someone linked this combination several weeks ago:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QKMBLWR/

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N1RFZZ4/

I'd make sure I did my diligence on confirming exactly the right jaw set for the crimpers.

This version appears to be the connector used by Apogee:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09DP43TZG/

I've ordered and tossed so many of these Amazon kits over the last 6 months. If you add up the hardware on your rocket, a $5 connection that ensures a chute operation is cheap insurance.

 

[mh9162013]

Micro Deans

 

[4regt4]

I've been hunting for a reliable 2 pin connector for my L3 project and found these on digikey.

You need to buy the male and female shell and then pre pinned wires.

The longest wire stocked was 36" and are pre pinned male / female. I found 36" was more than enough to route both ends by cutting them 2/3 1/3

They locking tabs on them are well built and I've yet to have a tab break after a bunch of testing.

View attachment 678592

Too expensive... Kidding. That's quite a find.

Thanks,
Hans.

 

[4regt4]

Someone linked this combination several weeks ago:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QKMBLWR/

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N1RFZZ4/

I'd make sure I did my diligence on confirming exactly the right jaw set for the crimpers.

This version appears to be the connector used by Apogee:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09DP43TZG/

I'm not a fan of the JST connectors if you need to connect/disconnect many times. Too fragile, and the wires tend to break off at the connector. I've had to repair too many of these recently.

Hans.

 

[4regt4]

Micro Deans

The Micro appears to be too small, the Ultra too big.

Why are these companies so reluctant to publish measurements? That goes for the Molex connectors mentioned by @jgarbus above. Had to dig through the Digikey page to finally find a spec sheet that had dimensions.

Hans.

 

[BEC]

If you don't mind soldering, the XT-30s used in RC craft might serve your purpose. 30A capable, small (though not as small as Micro Deans).

Dimensions shown in this listing:https://www.amazon.com/10Pairs-Upgrade-Connector-Female-Battery/dp/B08P5HVMYT/

I've not yet had a use for these in a rocket, but have used them in electric powered RC airplanes. They mate firmly and yet can handle many cycles.

 

[4regt4]

If you don't mind soldering, the XT-30s used in RC craft might serve your purpose. 30A capable, small (though not as small as Micro Deans).

Dimensions shown in this listing:https://www.amazon.com/10Pairs-Upgrade-Connector-Female-Battery/dp/B08P5HVMYT/

I've not yet had a use for these in a rocket, but have used them in electric powered RC airplanes. They mate firmly and yet can handle many cycles.

Hey, those don't look bad. Finally a vendor that actually shows dimensions. At roughly 1/2" each (M/F), size is about right.

They are definitely on the short list....

Hans.

 

[OZRoc]

Dog House Rocketry from Binder Design. I've converted all my batteries / sleds to use them.
Cheers, Mark

 

[OverTheTop]

Molex Microfit 3.0 is my go-to. Positive locking, not too small. 2 to 24 connections.

You can choose board mount or wire mount male.

I suggest getting precrimped wires.

Available at Digikey also.

 

[4regt4]

Dog House Rocketry from Binder Design. I've converted all my batteries / sleds to use them.
Cheers, Mark

Actually, those look a lot like the Digikey sourced Molexs that @jgarbus mentioned above. If I go this route, I'll likely use Dog House to source them to help out one of our vendors.

Hans.

 

[4regt4]

Molex Microfit 3.0 is my go-to. Positive locking, not too small. 2 to 24 connections.

You can choose bosrd mount or wire mount male.

I suggest getting precrimped wires.

Available at Digikey also.

I've seen this connector in my old 2011 Maserati wiring harness. It worked well there.

Hans.

 

[SolarYellow]

For those of us in the TX region, Mouser's DFW location has astonishingly fast shipping.

https://www.mouser.com/new/molex/molexmicrofit3/

 

[CoAz2k]

I recently started using Spektrum IC3 connectors for use with my Lithium batteries. Not cheap, but it may be what you are looking for.

https://www.spektrumrc.com/product/connector-ic3-device-and-ic3-battery-set/SPMXCA301.html

 

[4regt4]

I recently started using Spektrum IC3 connectors for use with my Lithium batteries. Not cheap, but it may be what you are looking for.

https://www.spektrumrc.com/product/connector-ic3-device-and-ic3-battery-set/SPMXCA301.html

They look nice, but like many vendors, there is no dimensional information that I can find. I can't figure out why basic size info is such a secret.

Hans.

 

[CoAz2k]

Yes. The EE in me was screaming for any kind of datasheet. I emailed them for dimensions and received no answer.

So I bought IC3 connectors. They are very well made. Solder cups for the main terminals with a blade for the center connector.

This is actually a three pin connector. I use the third pin for the balance wire on my 2S cells.

The terminals are clearly marked with + and - in addition to being keyed.

I made adapters for my load cell tester and one for my charger.

Here are some pictures of the ones I have. BTW, I use this with mid and high power. The battery with connector weighs 20.4 grams.




Hopefully these help.

I could have went smaller, but I wanted to future proof my setup for larger loads and batteries.

 

[4regt4]

Yes. The EE in me was screaming for any kind of datasheet. I emailed them for dimensions and received no answer.

So I bought IC3 connectors. They are very well made. Solder cups for the main terminals with a blade for the center connector.

This is actually a three pin connector. I use the third pin for the balance wire on my 2S cells.

The terminals are clearly marked with + and - in addition to being keyed.

I made adapters for my load cell tester and one for my charger.

Here are some pictures of the ones I have. BTW, I use this with mid and high power. The battery with connector weighs 20.4 grams.

View attachment 678809View attachment 678810View attachment 678811View attachment 678812


Hopefully these help.

I could have went smaller, but I wanted to future proof my setup for larger loads and batteries.

Much appreciated. I'd definitely call those "heavy duty". Very robust.

Thanks,

Hans.

 

[CoAz2k]

The IC2 version is smaller and cheaper with the same design. I don't have any to measure as I returned the set I bought to compare with the IC3 version.

Good luck!

 

[BEC]

Looks like those IC3s are a riff off of XT-60s but with that extra connection between the main pins. Much bigger/bulkier than XT-30s. The mated pair is as big as Deans Ultras.

A quick look on the web suggests that the IC2s are XT-30 relatives and about that size.

@CoAz2k What does Spektrum use that middle connection for in packs that have more than two cells?

 

[OZRoc]

Actually, those look a lot like the Digikey sourced Molexs that @jgarbus mentioned above. If I go this route, I'll likely use Dog House to source them to help out one of our vendors.

Hans.

Not a problem. I actually bought the individual pins / sockets, male / female outers and a crimper to do them. Saves splicing wires and looks purty.
Cheers

 

[CoAz2k]

@CoAz2k What does Spektrum use that middle connection for in packs that have more than two cells?

IIRC, It is a digital comm standard for a charger to communicate with the battery.

My application is obviously not compatible with the stock Spektrum batteries or chargers.

 

[lr64]

Just how much current are you guys running in your rockets? If I was worried about reliability, I'd use really good, fine stranded wire, see if I could implement some kind of strain relief, and maybe double up, using two pins for each side. If the current is only an amp or two, intermittently, then a large connector isn't required.

 

[g.pitts]

Molex Microfit 3.0 is my go-to. Positive locking, not too small. 2 to 24 connections.

You can choose board mount or wire mount male.

I suggest getting precrimped wires.

Available at Digikey also.

+100!!! Super reliable connectors.

 

[Adrian A]

I could have went smaller, but I wanted to future proof my setup for larger loads and batteries.

Are you planning for an ion drive rocket? There isn’t a single connector in this thread that is too small to handle the current for any ejection charge or igniter.

The only reason to go larger than the smallest connectors is if you feel like the smallest ones are too mechanically delicate.

I mean, we're here to have fun and everything, and if hooking up jumper cables to a hearing aid is what gives you joy, then go ahead and be joyful. But let's not pretend that bigger rockets need bigger wires and bigger batteries. Everyone is using the same ematches.

 

[4regt4]

Are you planning for an ion drive rocket? There isn’t a single connector in this thread that is too small to handle the current for any ejection charge or igniter.

The only reason to go larger than the smallest connectors is if you feel like the smallest ones are too mechanically delicate.

I mean, we're here to have fun and everything, and if hooking up jumper cables to a hearing aid is what gives you joy, then go ahead and be joyful. But let's not pretend that bigger rockets need bigger wires and bigger batteries. Everyone is using the same ematches.

I agree about the electrical aspect, but would like something mechanically robust as it has to survive the stresses involved in launch, landing, etc. And in my experience, smaller connectors don't always do well when connected and disconnected many times.

Hans.

 

[CoAz2k]

But let's not pretend that bigger rockets need bigger wires and bigger batteries. Everyone is using the same ematches.

I said the connectors were larger than needed... It's a 300 mAH battery that weighs less than 20 grams.

The future proofing part is: I'm in the prototype phase of building my own custom RF telemetry package.

 

[OverTheTop]

The only reason to go larger than the smallest connectors is if you feel like the smallest ones are too mechanically delicate.

I agree about the electrical aspect, but would like something mechanically robust as it has to survive the stresses involved in launch, landing, etc. And in my experience, smaller connectors don't always do well when connected and disconnected many times.

The Molex MicroFit 3.0 are small enough to not be a pain in small spaces, and are large enough to be mechanically robust and easy for Service people to disconnect without having to pull on the wires. We use them extensively in our spectrometers. Positive locking is nice, and they can do wire-wire or wire-board. Their only downside is that they can be a pain to disconnect when you have a high pin count, say 14 way and above. The pin retention forces add up.