Where do you guys buy your connectors?

[Mastermime]

Hi guys,

I am building a robot that is using the Axon II as the microcontroller product.  To connect something such as a GPS module, I would use a Hitec male connector, right?  Where do you guys buy your connectors from?

[joe61]

I get mine either from DigiKey (Molex connectors) or Pololu. Pololu has some pretty cheap housings ( http://www.pololu.com/catalog/category/19 ), and also sells Futuba/JR connection kits (bottom of that page).

Also see the connector tutorial here http://www.societyofrobots.com/electronics_wire_connector.shtml

Joe

[Mastermime]

So which of these from sparkfun will work for connecting to the Axon II?

http://www.sparkfun.com/search/results?term=molex&what=products

Edit:  Do only hitec male connectors work with the Axon II?

[joe61]

Edit:  Do only hitec male connectors work with the Axon II?

From the datasheet it looks like that Axon will accept any standard servo type connector with power in the middle, ground on one side and signal on the other.

I generally find Sparkfun a bit pricey, but any three pin housing with good crimp pins and .1 inch spacing should be fine. Futuba, JR, Hitec, Molex, whatever.

I say "good crimp pins" because I've gotten some bulk pins in the past that didn't grip the pins on the board well, and the connector kept coming loose. I never had that problem with the JR, Moles or Hitec connectors though.

[Webbot]

These are also useful as you they are already crimped and in a housing http://www.pololu.com/catalog/category/65

Just decide on length and whether you want male-male, male-female or female-female

[Mastermime]

Ok I'll probably go with the product that's in the link Webbot posted.  If I just need the connectors to connect to the Axon, I will need the male-male connector and then cut one of the male headers off, right?

[Webbot]

The Axon has header pins your wires will need female sockets. The other end of the wire depends on what you are connecting to. But female-female is most likely what you need. If you can afford then also by some male-male. You can then combine the two ( ie female-female + male-male = female-male) to give you all  alternatives.

[Mastermime]

Ok thank you for your help Webbot. By the way, Project designer/ Webbotlib is absolutely brilliant!  It has saved me loads of time and I also want to thank you for that