Part Identification Help - Wiring Clips

[Ginsly]

What are the white clip terminals called that are being used for the wiring in this pic? Four-wires at the bottom and a slightly different Two-wire clip near the top.

 

[Brett]

These look like standard JST-XH connectors to me.

Search results for: 'jst xh'

www.taydaelectronics.com

If I had to guess, the pin spacing appears to be 2.5mm or 2.54mm.

 

[Ginsly]

@Brett Those look correct! I think 2.54 is probably right for most applications, though 5mm could be good for certain things too (if they’re available in that spacing).

I’ll have to peruse that page of listings- I’d love just the solderable ports so I can use my own wire or ribbon cable… Many seem to come with black and red wires attached, although that could be useful too. Thx man!!

 

[Brett]

I’d love just the solderable ports so I can use my own wire or ribbon cable

These type of connectors are crimped in place, not soldered. In order to crimp them, they require a connector-specific (often expensive) crimping tool. You may find a way to make a regular crimper work in a pinch, but it's very tedious and unless you just like wasting your time, it's better to use the proper tool for the job.

Alternatively, you can buy pre-terminated wire from @StompBoxParts that would simplify your trouble immensely. It's not cheap, but it's cheaper than buying the right tools for the job if you'll only use them here and there.

WIRE, CABLES & PLUGS - JST Wires, Headers, Housings - StompBoxParts

stompboxparts.com

I may be confused here but if you're already planning on soldering wire to the connector, why not just solder directly to the board? Unless you're using boards designed to allow space for these (or designing boards intended for these), you'll find that most boards don't allow enough space to use these types of connectors.

 

[chris.knudson]

Yep, they're 2.54mm connectors. I just bought a bunch of them today from Amazon. I particularly like the idea of using these to connect to the power supply on a pedal since that is usually the connection you have to cut when you pull a board out of an enclosure for troubleshooting. It would be so much easier if I could just unplug it. On this particular board they are being used to connect the footswitch PCB with the main PCB.

 

[darwin999]

Just make sure to get the right crimping tool for them

 

[Ginsly]

@Brett & @darwin999 Gotcha. Didn't realize they required a crimping tool. Still, I see them on boards from time to time and it seems like it would make off-board wiring a bit easier - maybe not?

@chris.knudson That is exactly where I first saw these connectors - a friend used em to connect the DC jack, which is an "innie". Can you share the link to the ones you got? I'd like to at least check them out. Do you have a crimping tool, or do yours not require it?

 

[darwin999]

@Ginsly,

I have used these connectors perhaps 8-10 times in various projects over the past 2-3 years - so I'm definitely not an expert on them. Hopefully others with more experience will also chime in.

Anyway, I first tried crimping without a tool, and it was a total disaster - it's a tight fit getting the crimped piece into the plastic surround, so if you generate a distorted shape then it just won't go. Basically, I just repeatedly screwed up.

So I bought this fairly inexpensive crimping tool from Amazon, and things went much better. (My occasional use did not warrant a better quality and more expensive tool):

Amazon.com

There are several such tools that look the same as this, so there may be other vendors/places to get it for less. This one seems reasonably sturdy, as you don't need to squeeze the crimper especially hard for it to do its job. It also helped me to look at all the photos on the Amazon webpage - with a little trial and error, they helped explain it's use, including the hard-to-see release trigger. My recollection is that the manual was pretty minimal.

Good luck to you, I hope this helps!

Note added later:
For all I know, it may also be possible to buy pre-wired jumper cables of the right length for these JST-XH connectors, if so then you might not need a crimper after all. I didn't explore that as I have always required custom lengths to fit my specific needs. Anyway, just a thought...

 

[Ginsly]

So I bought this fairly inexpensive crimping tool from Amazon, and things went much better. (My occasional use did not warrant a better quality and more expensive tool):
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BLSJJLJP/

Perfect, thank you! Looks like they have a set with that crimper and a bunch of connectors for 27 bucks - seems like a pretty small risk if I don't like it. Much appreciated!

 

[chris.knudson]

Just make sure to get the right crimping tool for them

Wait, what, you need a special crimping tool?

 

[Ginsly]

Wait, what, you need a special crimping tool?

Evidently, unless you got pre-crimped wires with your set. Those are available too, looks like. Depends on what you have.

 

[chris.knudson]

@Brett & @darwin999 Gotcha. Didn't realize they required a crimping tool. Still, I see them on boards from time to time and it seems like it would make off-board wiring a bit easier - maybe not?

@chris.knudson That is exactly where I first saw these connectors - a friend used em to connect the DC jack, which is an "innie". Can you share the link to the ones you got? I'd like to at least check them out. Do you have a crimping tool, or do yours not require it?

I got this assortment on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08G188ZQ8?ref=ppx_pt2_dt_b_prod_image&th=1 -- these look to be pre-crimped, but I'm new to these, so as with everything about this hobby, I'm learning as I go...

 

[Ginsly]

@chris.knudson Oh, I have you beat - I know absolutely nothing and embarrass myself here almost daily! Haha... I'm learning as I build, though. This place and its members have been invaluable. Looks like you have pre-crimped wire with yours

 

[darwin999]

as with everything about this hobby, I'm learning as I go...

Lol, as are we all!!!

 

[chris.knudson]

@chris.knudson Oh, I have you beat - I know absolutely nothing and embarrass myself here almost daily! Haha... I'm learning as I build, though. This place and its members have been invaluable. Looks like you have pre-crimped wire with yours

I learned a long time ago that there is no such thing as a stupid question. (I mean technically there is, but we all gotta learn somehow). Between this forum and YouTube, I've learned a ton in a few short months. I love learning from people who know a lot more than I do, and I love sharing what I have learned with people who are new to this. It's a great community.

 

[darwin999]

So thanks to @Brett for alerting me to where to buy pre-made cables.

So having a crimping tool just gives one the ability to make custom lengths and/or cable assemblies w/ more complex geometries (e.g., "Y" shaped cables going to 3 connectors, etc.)