Society of Robots - Robot Forum

Mechanics and Construction => Mechanics and Construction => Topic started by: Mastermime on January 24, 2012, 10:55:13 PM

Title: Frustration With Crimping Connectors
Post by: Mastermime on January 24, 2012, 10:55:13 PM
After two and a half hours of frustration, I have come here to seek help and assistance from you guys. 

I have been trying to simply crimp on pins and insert them into a S type (servo) female connector.  One of my issues is that I don't possess a crimper (can't afford one) and I don't know how to utilize the crimper tool on my wire stripper http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=360-640 (http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=360-640)

Right know I am using a needle nose pliers to crimp, but it's going terrible.

I am using 22 gauge solid copper wire.

Issues: Either the pin breaks, the connector is too loose on the header pins, or the socket is is able to slide in and out of the socket very easily.

I tried soldering however this did not work because it jammed the slot where the header pin is inserted

I have watched many tutorials and those have not helped.  I dont want to solder directly to my Axon II.

Any suggestions?

Thanks
Title: Re: Frustration With Crimping Connectors
Post by: Gertlex on January 24, 2012, 11:41:10 PM
Needle nosed pliers + solder work for me, but with stranded wire (I use this stuff (http://www.trossenrobotics.com/store/p/6421-50-Feet-Standard-Servo-Wire.aspx)).  Solid wire is not going to work well, I suspect, and I don't know if it will work with proper crimpers, either. You're using way too much solder and/or have the wire sticking too far in to the connector if you're getting problems clogging the connector.  But ya... my most desperate solution for you is to salvage wire from electronics - it'll be better than using a solid copper wire.
Title: Re: Frustration With Crimping Connectors
Post by: Mastermime on January 25, 2012, 08:34:18 AM
Ok thanks for the response.  I think I am going to get some 22 gauge stranded wire.  I'll tell you guys how it goes once I try it with the new wire.
Title: Re: Frustration With Crimping Connectors
Post by: Soeren on January 25, 2012, 09:05:35 AM
Hi,

[...] and I don't know how to utilize the crimper tool on my wire stripper http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=360-640 (http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=360-640)
They're only for crimping automotive connectors - the red, yellow and blue marked spades and rings you find in any old car (and on a lot of larger sized robots :)).

Soldering is easy. when you have formed the connector around your wire, just lightly tin the wire as well as the inside of the "tube" you formed in the connector - lightly!
Reinsert and heat to make the bond, perhaps with a touch (nothing more) of the solder, if you haven't got a flux pen (which is better) to get it flowing.

Solder is neither glue, nor a structural component, it's just supposed to connect stuff, not surround it.
Title: Re: Frustration With Crimping Connectors
Post by: Mastermime on January 25, 2012, 03:39:01 PM
Quote
They're only for crimping automotive connectors - the red, yellow and blue marked spades and rings you find in any old car (and on a lot of larger sized robots ).
Oh that makes much more sense  ::)

Once I get my stranded wire I'll try re soldering.  I am supposed to have only about a 1/2 in or less stripped, right? 

Thanks
Title: Re: Frustration With Crimping Connectors
Post by: Soeren on January 25, 2012, 06:07:35 PM
Once I get my stranded wire I'll try re soldering.  I am supposed to have only about a 1/2 in or less stripped, right? 
Solid or stranded shouldn't matter when soldering.
When using solid wire, just strip the length that will go into the crimped section and with stranded wire, about twice that (twist and fold).

A cheap way of making round crimps is with pliers as used for split shots (for fishing line), if you can find one of a suitable size and craft/jewellery shops have cheap crimpers too. They won't give B-crimps, but can still be quite useful.
A bit of work with a Dremel type tool can make a crimp notch on eg. a flat nose plier (if you are good at grinding steel and wear eye protection doing it :)).
Title: Re: Frustration With Crimping Connectors
Post by: Mastermime on January 26, 2012, 06:30:47 PM
Just want to let everyone know that I successfully attached my connectors :)  Frustration=over; Jay=happy