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Micro Molex Pins/Connectors
I spent several hours today in bright sunlight attempting to crimp those teeny tiny micro molex pins onto the teeny tiny 26 gage wires to mount in a molex connector for the elevator trim servo. I eventually was successful but not without a lot of swearing and multiple attempts. I have the BCT-1 crimping tool so that's not the issue, and eventually I got better with each pin in making the proper crimps without mangling the pin. No, the real problem was inserting the pins into the molex connector. Is there a special tool for this? It was almost impossible, and yes I did have them aligned properly for the key in each hole. God help me if I ever need to remove a pin for trouble shooting. How does one do that without destroying the pin/wire/connector?
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I found the process somewhat enjoyable, actually. |
I use D-Sub for everything small. I don't use Molex for anything.
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I used a small connector for the pitch trim servo on my RV-8A, and later on I wondered why I bothered with a connector at all. Think about it: if you ever need to replace the trim servo, you're gonna have to install a new connector on the new servo which will come with bare leads. It's just as easy to use good quality crimped butt splices (e.g. AMP PIDG) to connect the servo leads to the wire harness. Leave an extra inch of slack in the harness, so in the unlikely event you ever need to replace the servo you can just snip out the old splices and install new ones.
Another technique I've seen for a low profile installation is to crimp D-sub pins & sockets on the servo and wire harness terminations, but instead of inserting them into D-sub connectors, simply plug them together with a piece of heat shrink over each pin/socket connection to insulate them and keep them from coming apart. This would not be a good idea if the wiring is ever likely to get yanked, but if it's properly supported/protected this is a clean way of connecting the servo to the harness without the bulk of a connector. YMMV... |
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I typically use a small molex for these servos. I use large pin molex plugs for anything with power, and D connectors for everything else. Carl |
Molex
Any connection up to 6 pins is .062" Molex. I have the tools (crimper and pin removal) and lots of practice from a previous life.
Over 6 pins is D-sub. |
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Charlie |
Different strokes for different folks....
If you search the forums you will find lots of posts from people who like the micro molex connectors a lot. |
Aren't the mini used in the 12? Anyway, who thinks Molex can survive on making a single type of connector and terminal pins, they have dozens of different products.
OP: get the insert and extract tool. Oh - and a good headband magnifier. They are tricky little devils aren't they ;) |
This is a timely thread for me. I had an intermittent issue in the trim servo wiring in my RV12. I think i will go with the Stein dsub method seen in this video:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=f8DCvBV2V4M |
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