Best 12v & 5v power distribution solution (PC 4 pin Molex input) ?.

Hi,

I am building an external watercooling PC solution for myself and am looking for some advise / suggestions on the power distribution side.

I am currently dunning a Molex (4 lines, 12v & gnd + 5v & gnd) cable between the PC and my desk but I have multiple items that need that power and I would prefer a more elegant solution than chaining Molex connectors together. I am currently using multiple plastic connector blocks (the cheap diy lighting splicing ones). This works but takes up quite a bit of space and looks like a plastic starfish.

I have the following to power;

1x Pump (12v).

2x LCD displays (5v).

1x fan hub (need to check - sata connector).

1x lighting control hub (2x Sata connectors - expect 5v each).

What distribution systems / parts may be appropriate (ie. on in connector and multiple outs) are there out there ?.

Thanks

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dougw over 7 years ago

Would XLR connectors fit your requirements? The are metal bayonet connectors with large pins and can be found at low cost.
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dougw over 7 years ago

Would XLR connectors fit your requirements? The are metal bayonet connectors with large pins and can be found at low cost.
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rimblock over 7 years ago in reply to dougw

Hi,

Thanks for the reply.

I fear the XLR connectors would not get around the issue of footprint.

Ideally I would like to shrink the setup so I can put it in a smallish 3d printed box. The Molex 4 pin PC connectors are quite big and a smaller solution would be preferred.

I could use a protoboard with something like a plugable 4 pin (CTB9208) to a 4 pin socket (through hole - CTB9358) to get the power on the board and then use 4 way through hole terminal blocks (31086104) but I am not sure which way to go with connecting the input to the terminal blocks (soldering cables, looking at a custom PCB, stripboard etc).

What I am after would seem to be fairly simple but I really do not have the knowledge to be able to select the right parts that will match to get it all working protoboard pitch for those components, which if any stripboard would be appropriate for 5v / 12v).

Soldering / crimping I am fine with when I have the right pieces.
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dougw over 7 years ago in reply to rimblock

I use TE Connectivity/AMP MTA series because they are on .1" pitch and I have the tool to insert wires.
They aren't all that pretty, but they are quick and there are different colors for different wire gauges, and you can get lots of different pin counts.
http://canada.newark.com/w/c/connectors/wire-to-board-connectors/prl/results?st=MTA-100
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COMPACT over 7 years ago in reply to dougw

I only discovered these the other day.
http://au.element14.com/molex/172878-0002/rcpt-housing-2pos-polypropylene/dp/2723713
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