O/T - STK500 Power Connector

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AndyG
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Posted by AndyG: Fri. Oct 22, 2004 - 10:28 AM
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Sorry if this is somewhat O/T.

A marketing decision has been taken that a product we are making should have a connector of the same style as that used on the STK500.

(For those unfamiliar, this is a cylindrical connector with contacts on the inside and outside of the cylinder; used pretty much everywhere.)

I am not very impressed by this decision as I don't think it is a long-term reliable choice. Especially as we may need to take up to 3 or 4 Amps through it.

However, in an attempt to make the best of the situation, I note that the same style of contact is used in the average notebook computer and these do appear quite reliable.

Do any of you hardware types know a good source for quality connectors of this type?

Thanks in advance.

/Andy

If we are not supposed to eat animals, why are they made out of meat?

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AVR Microcontrollers, megaAVR and tinyAVR
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AndersAnd
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Posted by AndersAnd: Fri. Oct 22, 2004 - 11:00 AM
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http://www.kycon.com/WebParts.ns...

I can't speak of their quality as I am not familiar with their products, but you can order free samples to evaluate the products yourself.

You could also try to google for "DC Power Connector" or "DC Power Plug", that's what they are usally called.

Try to loook here as well:
http://connectors.globalspec.com...
It's an Engineering Serach Engine.

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SteveN
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Posted by SteveN: Fri. Oct 22, 2004 - 11:09 AM
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Hi,

The below site has parts that I have bought from Digi-Key before. I thought I would provide the manufacturers link to (probably...hopefully) save you a little time.

http://www.cui.com/catfeatures.a...

http://www.cui.com/catfeatures.a...

Regards,
Steve

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AndyG
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Posted by AndyG: Fri. Oct 22, 2004 - 11:14 AM
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Thanks, gents. Much appreciated.

/Andy

If we are not supposed to eat animals, why are they made out of meat?

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AndersAnd
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Posted by AndersAnd: Fri. Oct 22, 2004 - 11:15 AM
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You could also go to this big Electronics Forum to ask the same question:
www.EDAboard.com
EDAboard covers all areas of Electronics design, not only AVR MCUs.

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AndersAnd
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Posted by AndersAnd: Fri. Oct 22, 2004 - 01:15 PM
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Please check out this company as well:
http://www.4uconnector.com/

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AndyG
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Posted by AndyG: Fri. Oct 22, 2004 - 01:17 PM
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I can see me spending quite some time on that EDA board. :D

Thanks again.

/A

If we are not supposed to eat animals, why are they made out of meat?

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c_oflynn
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Posted by c_oflynn: Fri. Oct 22, 2004 - 03:44 PM
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Quote:
You could also go to this big Electronics Forum to ask the same question:
www.EDAboard.com
EDAboard covers all areas of Electronics design, not only AVR MCUs.

wow! I've never heard of this before, thanks for the link! Looks like a great place ;-)

Regards,

-Colin

VA3 YHZ - http://www.newae.com

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mneary
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Posted by mneary: Fri. Oct 22, 2004 - 05:24 PM
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Quote:
is used in the average notebook computer and these do appear quite reliable.

Just remember that the primary purpose on a notebook is to charge the battery. If the connection breaks momentarily or is noisy, no one would notice.

I experimented with this type of connector, but my device didn't have a backup battery. My equipment was handled a lot (laptop clock in a car rallye) and it suffered several failures during its first event. We immediately added a backup battery.

My connectors were cheap (surplus) so your mileage may vary.

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SteveN
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Posted by SteveN: Sat. Oct 23, 2004 - 02:25 PM
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Hi,

I have seen some crappy ones as well, unfortunately I don't know who the manufacturer was. In my experience when you push a plug into those sockets it should "feel" solid and there should be a "fair" amount of effort involved to get the plug into the socket. Sorry if I am stating the blindingly obvious and sorry I can't think of more quantfiable terms other than feel and fair :roll: .

While I'm >>sure<< it's obvious to most of you... there are different sizes. I am using a 2.1mm right now. I can't remember what the other sizes were...maybe 1.9 or 2.6mm :?: .
So you NEED to match the plug and socket sizes...only mentioning this just in case :wink:

Regards,
Steve

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c_oflynn
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Posted by c_oflynn: Sat. Oct 23, 2004 - 02:31 PM
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Quote:
So you NEED to match the plug and socket sizes...only mentioning this just in case Wink

Whatever size the STk500 is seems pretty popular, I've got a few other things with that same size plug. So its handy when a few things have the same size in case you lose one or two of the original cords!

-Colin

VA3 YHZ - http://www.newae.com

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dharper
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Posted by dharper: Sat. Oct 23, 2004 - 02:44 PM
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c_oflynn wrote:
Whatever size the STk500 is seems pretty popular

It is the 2.1mm like Steve is using. I ordered some panel mount jack versions of this from Digikey a while back and the same wall wart that powers my stuff can be used on the STK500 as well.

Dave

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