• Author Author: kmikemoo
  • Date Created: Date Created
  • Views 3261 views
  • Likes 20 likes
  • Comments 30 comments
Related
Recommended

Magnetic Connectors - Better Than Average

kmikemoo

If you missed the subtlety of the Crocodile Dundee reference... these connectors are fantastic.  Thank you e14 for the opportunity to try them out.

What are they?  Specifically, the MulticompPRO MP series magnetic connectors.  What makes these so useful is the 30VDC/VAC 5A rating.  I can get into a lot of trouble with 5 amps.

I'm kind of an application guy.  How can I use it?  I had a few ideas.  Again, thank you e14 and rscasny for letting me bring them to life.

Mike

  • in reply to colporteur

       Literal LOL on the powder comment.  LaughingStuck out tongue winking eye

    The pair will run just under $25 US for the straight connector and plug, $31 US for the 90 degree connector and plug..  e14 did provide the connectors.
    Thank you e14 and  .
    One of my next steps is to pitch them to my field service technicians to see who might want them.  We have burned up tens of thousands of dollars worth of equipment by not being able to shut down a hot-wired piece of equipment.  If I prevent even one more incident, I'm still money ahead.  WAY ahead.

    As to the durability of the strain relief... great question... the connector assembly housings are quite robust.  They have molded strain relief boots on them.  The cable jacket is flexible even in extremely cold weather, so that will increase its longevity.  Where the cable jacket connects to the strain relief boot is always an "at risk" location on any cable assembly.  The cable itself is like coax.  There is a center conductor, insulation and a braided outer shield.  I have not tried it yet, but the cable looks like it could carry serial or even RF.  Now that my antenna analyzer is back from the repair shop, I may have to experiment.  It's a good thing that I used those Wago connectors from Build Inside The Box to connect my DC to DC converter

    A direct pull on the straight cable assembly is (of course) the "worst case scenario".  There's a decent amount of grip there BUT... when considering the application, the risk is well worth the reward.  I anticipate at least a couple of years of use before the cable jacket fails at the strain relief boot.  On some of the assemblies, I will just cut it shorter, add a dab of hot glue and some shrink tube and drive on.  The WSPR box connector cable is 2m long.  I can afford to sacrifice 4 inches every few years. Stuck out tongue winking eye
    (It wouldn't be me without the emojis.)
    I really love the 90 degree connectors (MP002497).  The definitely will take the most abuse in real life.  Part of me wishes that I had added the heat shrink tubing already but only time will tell.  I thought about using one on the power disconnect application, but the holding power of the straight connectors versus real life field work... it's the correct device for the job.  2.5mm x 5.5mm just don't cut it in my application.

  • in reply to beacon_dave

      The plug (MP002495) has a steel ring and no magnet, so there is no issue there.  The magnet is on the cable assemblies.  It is as you would expect - it grabs everything ferrous that comes in range.  On the extension cable for the WSPR box, you can see that the one cable assembly has stuck itself to the side of the other.  The two part arrangement of the magnets on the cable assembly face does make it easy to clean.  Yes.  I did have to clean iron filings off of the connectors initially because I did a poor job of cleaning the workbench before I started. JoyThumbsup

  • Nice post.

    I admit that I struggled to find a good application for those connectors when I first heard about them, but you have some compelling applications that I can now see usefulness.

  • Awesome Job! PURE GEEK! My family would zone out at the dinner table when I try to discuss cool knowledge like this.

    Who is your wardrobe manager. Matching toques and hoodies for the outlook work and a natural pate for bench delivery. The top needs a little powder to cut down on the shine (just kidding).

    I have seen a commercial application for a block heaters with the VoltSafe Magnetic Plug Extension Cord for Block Heaters.

    I'm curious about strain relief. Pulling connectors out by the cable tends to reduce their life. What have experienced?

    Last question. What did it cost for a mating pair of connectors? Looking at the number of connectors in your video, I hope the vendor compensated you with you product:).