Help - Pangolin VRAD Actuator Connectors???

[Jem]

Hi All

I have some of the new Pangolin VRAD actuators and have a bit of a problem.

They come with some very very small four pin plug connectors that need wires crimping on to them. I asked around at the UKLEM this last weekend to see if anyone had a crimping tool that would handle the small size. Unfortunately no-one had anything that could assist me. The only suggestion was to solder the wires on.

I've had a go today and managed to solder a couple of wires on, but this is not really satisfactory as once soldered the pins are then hard to fit into the female connector.

Does anyone here have the facility to properly connect some wires and make up five (x4 wire) leads for me, complete and ready to plug onto the VRADS? I'm happy to pay for the leads, just let me know your (hopefully reasonable) price . Length of flying leads needs to be around 50cm per lead.

I have to say that for such a beautifully engineered device the method of connection defies logic. All who saw them at the UKLEM also thought that the connecting method could have perhaps being better designed.

Many thanks

Jem

[White-Light]

Have you spoken to Bill? (He's at Prolight but does check his emails).

BTW I now see your problem. I tracked down the crimping tool - £177.87 or $299.99 !!!!!

http://uk.farnell.com/jsp/displayPro...|match|p|plid|

I suggest contacting Bill and suggesting they supply them with a pre-wired plug loom that connects to something you can buy off the shelf. That pricing is ridiculous and may certainly stop sales to anyone not running a major concern!

Maybe he'll even crimp you a loom and send you one if you ask nicely.

[Pangolin]

Hi Jem,

Sorry to hear about the problems you are having. I agree that they are small pins, but that style of connector was about the only kind and size that I could fit within the allotted area. I didn't want to have a "flying lead" like Ledex actuators or the old MFE actuators...

As you know, we include the connector and the pins and even spare pins. Over the past 48 years of my life, I have only used official crimpers for connectors probably twice in my
life.

What I do is use pliers and bend the metal flaps over the wire myself, just like crimpers do. Then I put just a tiny amount of solder into the metal flap/wire interface to act as insurance. Been doing that for years.

Yes, if you put too much solder on it, then it will interfere with the pin going into the hole. If this happens, re-heat it and sling some solder off while holding the pin with pliers.

I wish I could be of more help, but crimpers aren't cheap for any connector I've ever seen so I've always relied on manual techniques.

Bill

[Jem]

Hi Bill

Thanks for stepping in on this thread. To be honest it's more than likely my soldering skills that are at fault, or perhaps I just need an iron with a much finer tip

I'll let things calm down for you a little as I know you're busy with Prolight and the European tour, but once your back in the States i'll be in touch. There's no hurry about this at my end as I feel my 'lumia' build is going to be a long term project

Kind regards

Jem

[Pangolin]

Hi Jem,

If you need, we can send you some connectors with wires coming out. That's no problem. Just let me know...

Bill

[Jem]

Hi Bill

PM sent

Thanks

Jem

[Insanity]

I have to say that for such a beautifully engineered device the method of connection defies logic. All who saw them at the UKLEM also thought that the connecting method could have perhaps being better designed.

I must agree here Jem, absolute nightmare to get these connected up with my fat fingers... I couldn't even see the connector, ended up doing it with long nose pliers under a magnifying lamp. As soon as I added the tiniest drop of solder, it ran into the actual connector which then would not mate with the pin on the actuator... I have the connections made and working now, but don't hold out much hope of them lasting long...

[Pangolin]

Hi Insanity,

Thanks for the comment. The connector is small, as are the pins. But while choosing which way to go (connector or flying lead), we really struggled to find a connector that would fit into the allotted area and work well. If you have a suggestion for an alternative, we'll take a look at it.

In the mean time if there is a suggestion of how we can help people, let me know. We could provide terminated connectors ourselves, but I would always be concerned that the wires we provided wouldn't be long enough, or that we'd connect it using two-wires when clients really need four...

Actually, perhaps one solution would be to put options on the order form like "Connector and pins only" or "with half meter leads in series connection", etc. Let me know if you all think that would be a good option to add.

Bill

[Insanity]

Hi Bill,

Thanks for the feedback... I am by no means an electronics whizz kid, in fact, I am worse than useless, so I can't give part numbers or anything like that...

My thoughts are that I have always liked screw terminals. A) I am rubbish with a soldering iron, and B) screw terminals are always easy should something need tweaking on site or at the last minute... But I am guessing some type of screw terminal isn't going to fit your allotted area...

So I would say your idea is probably best for the less capable, fat fingered people like me...

Actually, perhaps one solution would be to put options on the order form like "Connector and pins only" or "with half meter leads in series connection", etc. Let me know if you all think that would be a good option to add.

Bill

Cheers
Mark

[Pangolin]

Hi Mark, Jem and others on this portal.

Is there a consensus on the length of wire we should consider for "flying lead" options? Let me know...

Bill