Barrel connectors

[Phil Allison]

"John Devereux"

"Phil Allison"


<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism>

"...The diagnostic criteria require that symptoms become apparent before
a child is three years old..."

"...Parents usually notice signs in the first two years of their child's
life"

"...Overt symptoms gradually begin after the age of six months..."

Sure sounds like a birth defect to me.

** It's probably genetically transferred.

So NOT a random conception ( birth ) anomaly.

The Wiki on ASD is full of self serving rubbish written by autistics.

Check the Wiki on Scientology for similar trouble.

I think it is,

** You do not think very clearly.

Truth is always fair comment.

Likely you are very autistic yourself.

Why would you be here defending vile trolls otherwise ??



..... Phil

 

[John Devereux]

"John Devereux"


** It's probably genetically transferred.
So NOT a random conception ( birth ) anomaly.

I assumed JL just meant that autism results from "an anomaly present at
birth".

The Wiki on ASD is full of self serving rubbish written by autistics.

Check the Wiki on Scientology for similar trouble.




** You do not think very clearly.

Truth is always fair comment.

You would call, say, an ugly lady ugly? To her face?

Likely you are very autistic yourself.

I don't think so. I am a bit of an introvert, I do find it hard to go up
to someone at a party and introduce myself, say. But I think that falls
a long way short of autism (and in fact saying so trivialises the
condition).

Why would you be here defending vile trolls otherwise ??

I'm not, I was remarking purely on how "autism" seems to be used a lot
as an insult here, when I have never heard it used that way anywhere
else. And why is it that the people using it themselves do not appear -
*from their posts* - to be exactly highly socially skilled individuals.

 

[Phil Allison]

I assumed JL just meant that autism results from "an anomaly present at
birth".

** Shame he did not write that.

The term "birth defect" is not synonymous with "congenital family trait ".



( snip stupid shit )

I don't think so.

** You are, for certain.

I'm not,

** There are no so blind as those who refuse to see.

I was remarking purely on how "autism" seems to be used a lot
as an insult here,

** You are WRONG again.

It is not an *insult* when it is a bloody obvious fact.

Insults are malicious falsehoods.

Usenet is chock full of autistics - almost wall to wall.

The opportunity to crap on endlessly and bully normal people with their
defective ideas is irresistible.

Show me a control freak, religious nut, criminal or any asshole - and I
will show you an autistic.




..... Phil

 

[[email protected]]

So, it's only helpful if you are replacing one RS product with
another?

I don't think all their *new* stuff comes with color-coded connectors,
so it doesn't help in that case. I think it's one more way to try to
prevent screw-ups in the store. To an untrained eye, a lot of the
connectors look the same, and the only way to tell them apart on the
shelf is by reading the part number on the backing card. Having them
color-coded makes it more obvious that the various parts differ.

Usually the droids are trained to ask you to bring in your powered
device so they can match the plug, but I think they also have a list of
what adapters and tips to use for the more popular devices; if the
catalog says "Adaptaplug Z, blue tip", it's faster for the droid to
find it on the shelf. It also makes it easier to upsell to a multi-
voltage adapter that has multiple tips, as long as it includes the one
the customer really needs.

It also simplifies things like being able to tell a nontechnical person
a couple of states away "go to Rat Shock and buy a 123-456 adapter and
the green tip" to replace some mission-critical wall wart without a
truck roll.

I don't work there or invest there; I just think that at least a little
bit of thought has gone into the approach, which increases the chance
that people can get the right parts. Shame about the prices, though.

Someone made a device (laptop?) in which the cord *to* the device
(from the PS) ws replaceable.

I've seen one or two devices like that. One was a smallish wall-wart
(like 1 watt or so output) that just had a co-ax jack on its housing,
and a cable with co-ax plugs on both ends for the device.

In Germany, a lot of the holiday lights seem to run on low-voltage AC,
and the standard for that seems to be that the wall-wart has a 2-pin
DIN socket |- on the housing, with matching plug on the light string.

<grin> I notice all the "house numbers" are of the form MRI####
[Matt Roberds Industries? :>]

Yep. I secretly run People's Shining Transistor Factory #18. Did you
know that a TO-92 fits inside a TO-3 shell really well?

Thanks for the references and the effort you went thru!

You're welcome!

Matt Roberds

 

[[email protected]]

<http://www.allelectronics.com/make-...AX-POWER-PLUG-W/CENTER-PIN-7-X-4.3-X-1/1.html>
That's not the one used on many Dell laptops. Well, it might be but I
can't tell without a photo showing the inside.

The vagaries of surplus places...

Here's a better photo of the unobtainable connector found on the
common Dell PA-10/12 power supply:

Yeah, until semi-recently I had a circa-2007 Latitude that had one of
those. I don't have it anymore or I'd measure the connector.

That's a long lever arm quite good at breaking jacks.

Thinking about it, all the non-Apple laptops I've used in the past few
years had straight (not right angle) co-ax connectors. Maybe it's
*designed* to break jacks and sell new laptops. *adjusts hat*

A square foot of solar cells should produce enough power to charge an
80 watt-hr laptop battery in umm... a few days.

I was recently in a sporting goods store, and one of the campstoves had
a thermoelectric device you could hang on the side to charge your
iThing. On one hand, it was kind of a slick package. On the other
hand, if I did that kind of camping, I don't think I'd bring the iThing.

I don't want to calculate the overall efficiency for fear of losing my
dinner.

Maybe an LED headlight would help!

Besides, I want the space on the back side of the laptop lid for my
high gain directional wi-fi patch antenna. Be the first on your block
to dominate the coffee shop wi-fi.

I already do that. CW is legal on all the bands, so I put a Vibroplex
on my Radarange. Carrying the battery is a PITA, though.

Matt Roberds

 

[miso]

If you're not happy with the price, have a look at Lemo
<http://www.lemo.com/en>.

The XLR connectors are not compact. But otherwise, they are good
connectors. The pins are fat, lots of contact area, and the connector
won't come out by accident.

For power, the cheap 3 pin ones are fine, just not idiot proof since
someone might plug power into a sound board, hence the 4 pin variety. I
have a calibrator that uses a 3 pin XLR on the low voltage scale.

There is that mini 3 pin XLR you find on some microphones.

 

[miso]

power plugs. sorry, i thought that would have been obvious from my
derogatory references! :>


Huh??? like the sort used on microphones?

WAY too big and far heavier than needed.

Thknk of the sorts of places you see "barrel connectors" and imagine
one of yours in that same application...

For low volume gear, who cares if the connector is big? Everything
doesn't have to fit into your pocket. I have a 12v breakout box used to
distribute power from a SLA to various devices using 3 pin XLRs. The
alternative is the fucking cigarette lighter. I use as few of the
coaxial power connectors as I can since they just fall out if tugged.

The alternative is the mini XLR if you are space constrained.

 

[miso]

We've been through this before. Tourettes is only with spoken word.

A friends wife is a nurse and had to deal with someone as psychotic as
the bad Phil. Besides cursing profusely, he would also shout "give me a
blow job".

 

[miso]

The way to tell a Canadian from a USian is to get them to say "about."

You mean they weren't talking about my boots?

In general, Canadians are great people. Well other than that shit head
Ted Cruz.

 

[sms]

This particular connector is a problem.
<http://bixnet.net/images/Connector-D003.jpg>
[...] Of course, the connector is not available individually, so the
entire power supply has to be replaced.

DCP-7, DCP-6, or DCP-5, $1.50 each at All Electronics? I have no idea
if they are any good at not, just that they exist (found while doing
research for earlier posts in this thread).

<http://www.allelectronics.com/make-...AX-POWER-PLUG-W/CENTER-PIN-7-X-4.3-X-1/1.html>
That's not the one used on many Dell laptops. Well, it might be but I
can't tell without a photo showing the inside.

Here's a better photo of the unobtainable connector found on the
common Dell PA-10/12 power supply:

Isn't it this one?
<http://www.elliottelectronicsupply.com/dc-power-plug-7-4mm-od-x-5-0mm-id-x-6mm-pin.html>.
I don't think it's a good picture of it, but the measurements seem correct.

Of course I'd just pay the same amount for a Dell power adapter at a
surplus store or at the EFM, and cut the power supply part off and
splice the cable onto whatever you need. At least you'd have a nice
molded connector.

 

[miso]

Doesn't this connector seem confused about its gender?

Joe Gwinn

Sex is determined by the center conductor, so that would be a female.

It would be interesting to find the jerk that decided we need a few
variations of this connect by a silly millimeter.

 

[miso]

Hi Jasen,



Isn't that CARP? :>


Yeah but most of the issues I've seen have been mechanical
related. Hence "CRAP".


Often lots of fatigue just past the strain relief. But, I
have seen the device into which the cable plugs also experience
failures -- "jacks" snapping off or developing intermittents
as they lose their adhesion to the solder pads. Very annoying
on laptops (as they are often a PITA to disassemble without breaking
ots of little plastic things!)


Yes, I realized that from Matt's post just now. Thanks.
Previously, anything with more than 2 contacts had been
obvious in a plastic molded plug. IBM & Dell made several
laptops like this. I'd always assumed the extra pin was
another supply -- much like it is on many external (USB) disk
enclosures. I will have to make a point of gutting one next
time I come across a "spare".

Possibly the extra pin is a Kelvin voltage sense.

Dell does a lot of 6 cell and 9 cell packs. They could do some
communications and change the charging voltage.

 

[miso]

Some other notes on barrel connectors:

You can get adapters from both male and female barrels to screw
terminals, which is handy for prototyping. Mouser JACK21-F-TERM and
JACK21-M-TERM; Sparkfun https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10287
and https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10288 ; All Electronics
http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/SDP-S/RETRO-FIT-2.1MM-COAX-SOCKET/1.html
and
http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/SDP-P/RETRO-FIT-2.1MM-COAX-PLUG/1.html
.

Matt Roberds

Given what a pain it is to solder coaxial connectors, I will gladly pay
an extra $2 to Sparkfun or Allexctronics versus a basic plug. What I do
now is buy up surplus cords with the connector attached. Very common at
surplus shops from time to time, i.e. manufacturing overruns.

 

[miso]

Hi Jeff,



I think its more fundamental than that! Laptops are typically
considered disposable. So, serviceability and longevity don't
enter into the design equation -- just price!

Dell business grade laptops are designed to be repairable. I can't speak
for their consumer stuff.

You don't need "ifixit" for Dell. They have good online documentation.

Apple is the one making disposable notebooks. Everything is soldered and
glued. Perhaps that makes a more rugged notebook, well except macbook
lids and hinges are shit. The bottom is quite rugged. But basically with
even the battery being captive, they are throw aways.

 

[miso]

Apple's patent on magnetic flush power connectors may have expired by then.

Yeah, the one that falls off. It is just a different trade off of problems.

 

[John Devereux]

]

I'm not, I was remarking purely on how "autism" seems to be used a lot
as an insult here,

Only by Phil.

Hmmm... I thought it was others too - I'm sure I remember it from the
"late" great Robert when he went off on one.

But you have a point.

<https://groups.google.com/forum/#!searchin/sci.electronics.design/asd>

 

[Don Y]

Yeah, the one that falls off. It is just a different trade off of problems.

Just another case of Apple trying to be "sexxy" without concern for
consequences

 

[sms]

It tends not to survive someone tripping over the lead though, straight-in
will ofter pull out.


Apple's patent on magnetic flush power connectors may have expired by then.

Are you sure that they have a patent on that? Those were used on kitchen
hot water boilers and other Asian kitchen appliances long before Apple
used them on laptops. <http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015QUR9W>. I expect
that the patent on these has expired.

I suppose that the patent could be very narrow and specify that it's a
DC power connection for computers, and since the original patent has
expired they would not have to pay royalties. But would the USPTO grant
a patent to Apple on something that has such obvious prior art?

Someone was obviously astute enough to understand the problem with
damaging laptops by tripping over the power cord and realized that the
magnetic power connector could work for devices other than kitchen
appliances. One of Apple's strengths seems to be looking at products
outside their own industry and adopting good design features.

 

[Don Y]

Hi Jeff,

It varies. Some model Toughbooks are great. Have several CF-25
Tougbooks that weigh a ton, but are built to survive an IED explosion.
Same with several CF-M34 Toughbooks, that have a touch screen and the
trademark magnesium case and frame. However, I recently had the
displeasure of repairing the power jack on a CF-73. Instead of
magnesium, it was mostly crumbly plastic. I was not impressed.

A worthy competitor in the tradition of the original Toughbooks:
<http://us.getac.com>
<https://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&q=getac>
I've only torn apart one of them (to remove accumulated sand) and was
impressed.

I recently rescued a handheld (oversized, though) ruggedized computer.
Name escapes me at the moment. I recall seeing a demo of it operating
*in* water!

I've had good luck with alcohol and sudsy water baths, followed by hot
air dry. Fixes soda pop sticky keys.

It's not a "precious" machine -- 2.6G P4. But, it has lots of
interfaces that come in handy when I'm dealing with some other piece
of kit. Video out, TV out, PCMCIA, USB, PS2, 3" floppy (makes it
easier to move files to/from the Unisite), modem, 100BaseTX, wifi,
parallel port, DVD/CD writer, 1400x1050 display, etc.

But, it's heavier than hell! When I include all the cables to be
able to connect to things I may encounter -- plus some small
peripherals (a tiny mouse in preference to the touchpad, small
scanner, etc.) it usually weighs more than my "overnight bag"!

But, if I use another laptop, I end up having to lug an external
floppy, parallel port adapter (and hope the software talks well with
it), etc.

When the difference between making a big OEM sale is a few pennies,
few manufacturers bother with such luxuries as reliability,
durability, reparability. Price is what drives the sales.

Of course! But, I'm not fixated on penny profits. If I
have to repair (warranty) a device because I saved a penny,
how much have I lost? Even out-of-warranty repairs impose
costs -- you need staff to *fix* those products. Better
to avoid the obvious failures in the first place and use your
resources to create new/better products. With folks *knowing*
they can "invest in quality".

Note that various vendors sell right angle power connector adapters.
These really help. I have a rapidly disappearing bag of them sized
for HP/Compaq adapter jacks. For example:
<http://www.ebay.com/itm/261075537254>
(There are cheaper versions available).

It may be worth purchasing some for these "three pin" connectors.
The "2 pin" power connectors on most of my laptops and tablets
are right angle.

On a related note: any strain relief options for RJ45's (besides
the boots)? Network cables on laptops and tablets get all
mangled to hell as you move the device around during use.

Inefficient and lacking in power. Power is sufficient for charging a
5.5 watt-hr smartphone battery, but is insufficient to quickly charge
a laptop with a 80-100 watt-hr battery. Duracell Powermat claims to
charge a MacBook, but I haven't seen the device or found any numbers.

I think you can alter the way you build things if this is a charging
goal. Retrofitting it to existing products is, at best, a kludge.

Also, I hate to think what will happen when the EMF exposure paranoids
discover wireless charging.

Buy them an abacus -- and hope the CHINESE BEADS don't have lead
paint on them! :>

 

[Phil Allison]

"David Eather"


** **** off you stinking criminal net stalker !!