What is your favorite 3-pin connector - to use in your projects?

I have migrated to different favorites over the years and I like lots of different connectors for different reasons and different applications, but at any given time I could probably always pick a favorite.

I am always looking for better solutions, so please explain why you like a particular connector in the comments.

Top Comments

michaelkellett over 4 years ago +13

I voted other, I can't have a favorite connector - it would be like having a favorite telephone number I use whatever is suitable. For tiny things I use Molex PicoBlade (or clones) - small (1.25mm pitch…
wolfgangfriedrich over 4 years ago +11

Other, because:
genebren over 4 years ago +7

I use a wide variety of connectors, including all of the connector choices offered in your poll. Each design is motivated by its requirements and hence the need for multiple connector solutions.

cstanton over 4 years ago in reply to 14rhb

Yeah they do, don't they? I find USB-C's connector 'clamps' or 'grips' to be insufficient at the best of times.
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14rhb over 4 years ago in reply to cstanton

IMO the enclosure in the bottom photo looks a little large (and therefore susceptible to knocks or is just too heavy) for those little connectors. So go easy if that's your own laptop
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cstanton over 4 years ago in reply to wolfgangfriedrich

Truly cursed.

In case you're wondering why this exists, here's why:
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beacon_dave over 4 years ago in reply to wolfgangfriedrich

Perhaps need a XKCD universal converter box ?
https://xkcd.com/1406/
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wolfgangfriedrich over 4 years ago in reply to wolfgangfriedrich

Relevant XKCD, even though it is only a 2-pin connector:
https://xkcd.com/2493/
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dwinhold over 4 years ago

It would be too hard to choose. I use many different 3 pin connectors, from Jacks to DuPont to soldering. I use whichever works best at the time!!

Great survey Doug!!
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vmate over 4 years ago

GX connectors are awesome. They are relatively cheap, very easy to mount the sockets in DIY enclosures, it's easy to solder to, and they are very secure and durable.
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cstanton over 4 years ago

I both love and hate dupont connectors.

They pretty much almost always fit what you're wanting to connect to, the pins are readily available and you can find cheap ways to crimp them.

Then they slip off, because they don't have a latching mechanism.
Then they crack or splinter because you accidentally got them trapped, or you decided that you'll try to get away with cutting down a 3 pin/socket to a 2 pin/socket.
Or you didn't solder the pins straight, or your technique for soldering was a bit off and you've melted some part of it, and now it's not making content or it's at an angle.
Or you discover the pitch is actually different.

Other than that they're typically fine
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robogary over 4 years ago

Good old fashion terminal boards is my go-to solution, altho with servos and GPIOs, I'm stuck with Dupont connectors, LiPOs and some sensors have JSTs.
The terminal boards allow me to reuse boards in several different projects, and are more resistance to me accidentally pulling them out.
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Sean_Miller over 4 years ago

I voted with JST as I'm normally doing small stuff. However, for R2, I went with XLR for charging.
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