MTA (or similar?) connectors for wiring to panels...

[elmegil]

I've seen several projects here that use MTA connectors for the panel wiring. I'm currently working on a board that would be much simpler if I had done that so I'm trying to see if I can resolve some issues I've had with that approach...

The big problem I've seen is that I can't seem to find (even digi or mouser) a source that has various sizes matching both male and female. I'll get through setting up an order and oh look, the females for this one with three positions are backordered. Fantastic. So I give up (too easily? ).

I like the MTAs with the friction locks, that's what I'm using for power (a 5 position, which I *was* able to get a set in both male and female...would have done 6 and made myself compatible with synth.com, but guess what... missing the females, if I remember correctly).

SO the questions are:

What do YOU use for connecting to your front panels?

What source do you use to get the connectors, both genders, reliably?

[wmonk]

I'm in Europe and here we have a few shops carrying prewired MTA connectors, and I can say one thing: it saves a lot of time!
For panel wiring the MTA-100 series are good.

You can find MTA connectors at Futurlec: http://futurlec.com/ConnPolHead.shtml
Mouser:
Male 2pin: 571-6404542 3pin: 571-6404543 4pin: 571-6404544 5pin: 571-6404545 6pin: 571-6404546 8pin: 571-6404548
Female 2pin: 571-3-640441-2 3pin: 571-3-640441-3 4pin: 571-3-640441-4 5pin: 571-3-640441-5 6pin: 571-3-640441-6 8pin: 571-3-640441-8
Dustcaps: 2pin: 571-6405502 3pin: 571-6405503 4pin: 571-6405504 5pin: 571-6405505 6pin: 571-6405506 8pin: 571-6405508

Prewired at MusikDing: http://www.musikding.de/Wire/PCB-connectors:::163_158.html
Or at Banzai: http://www.banzaimusic.com/PCB-Connectors/

So a lot to choose! The Mouser MTA-100 connectors wire different then the Futurlec stuff. They have a V shaped metal part where you push the wire in. For all type connections it is a good idea to solder the wire to the connector, otherwise you might have a bad connection.


Cheers,
Woody

[elmegil]

How do you manage to solder into the connector without melting the housing? I can't even solder to a male successfully if it's not on a board, because the pins start twisting out of position. I've taken to pulling the pins, soldering them, then pushing them back in.

Thanks for the links; I hadn't tried FutureLec (and I'm starting to wonder if I'd tried Mouser; I'm pretty sure it was DigiKey in particular that I recall being out of stock of key connectors).

[Uncle Krunkus]

I get all of mine from Jaycar, or Altronics here in Australia. They would both ship to you, but closer to home, Farnell would HAVE to have them, but they may be more expensive. They do good deals on bulk though. Depends on how many you are looking at doing? It's weird, 'cos one of the Farnell warehouses is in the UK, the second, is in Sydney, about 500m from the house I grew up in. They have another warehouse in Singapore(?) now, and anything turns up within a day or two, to your door, free freight!
You've got RS-Components over there too don't you?
(I always think it means Rat Shit Components!!! but they aren't. )

Look up the Klee Sequencer thread to see how many, Molex (MTA) type connectors, are on those boards!
You solder the connectors onto the wires before inserting them into the housing. The male PCB headers, are, like you said, like formers holding PCB pins in the right place till their soldered. Tack down each end, then do them relatively quickly. Fine solder tip laying along them, warming them as you go. That way you won't get any problems with melting the base.
I crimped every one to secure the insulation, then soldered the conductors poking out from under the main crimp point. I didn't have a crimper either! Every one was done with pointy nosed pliers.

[elmegil]

I'm in the US...only time I got stuff from Farnell it came through Newark with a $20 upcharge :/.

I will definitely look at the other suppliers mentioned....

[Uncle Krunkus]

Oh,
If you're in the US, send a PM to Scott Stites, or Bill Manganaro. We all worked on the Klee sequencer together, and they would know the best suppliers stateside.

[Uncle Krunkus]

BTW,......
What other kind of CHICAGO!! did I think you were from?!?!?
Would that be Chicago, West Essex? or Chicago Manchester?