Need connector type name for AC adapter

[[email protected]]

I've google'd the net and search this forum, but no luck. So,.......

I've encountered two of these little beasties this week. It starts with
a wall wart style AC adapter, plug-connected to a small cable, which in
turn is connected to a 12 VAC miniature halogen bulb. They are used to
illuminate floor-standing bubbling lamps, and other similar decorative
lights.

The connector, and what it might be called, is the bear! The male plug
is molded rubber, and the two connectors are a flat blade, 3/8 inch
long, about 1/8 inch wide. Near that is a round pin-like prong,
probably 1/16 in. or a little larger diameter. The configuration looks
kind of like this from the top (proportions are WAY off!):

o
___

This plugs into a wall wart style Class II transformer, low wattage
(15-20W), and the output is 12 VAC (don't know the amperage, but it only
needs to drive the miniature halogen bulb). The bulb look like overhead
projector lamps.

Now, my problem: I need to find a replacement wall wart transformer.
I've searched various suppliers including Mouser.com. I can find
transformers with the proper electrical characteristics, BUT the
secondary/output connector type is seldom described (if there is no cord
attached to it). And, I don't know the name of this connector type so I
can put it into a search engine.

Any help GREATLY appreciated!

Lakeside

 

[Franc Zabkar]

The connector, and what it might be called, is the bear! The male plug
is molded rubber, and the two connectors are a flat blade, 3/8 inch
long, about 1/8 inch wide. Near that is a round pin-like prong,
probably 1/16 in. or a little larger diameter. The configuration looks
kind of like this from the top (proportions are WAY off!):

o
___

2 pin DIN plug/jack/socket?
http://www.wagner.net.au/Catalogue/07_09.pdf

- Franc Zabkar

 

[Eeyore]

I've google'd the net and search this forum, but no luck. So,.......

I've encountered two of these little beasties this week. It starts with
a wall wart style AC adapter, plug-connected to a small cable, which in
turn is connected to a 12 VAC miniature halogen bulb. They are used to
illuminate floor-standing bubbling lamps, and other similar decorative
lights.

The connector, and what it might be called, is the bear! The male plug
is molded rubber, and the two connectors are a flat blade, 3/8 inch
long, about 1/8 inch wide. Near that is a round pin-like prong,
probably 1/16 in. or a little larger diameter. The configuration looks
kind of like this from the top (proportions are WAY off!):

DIN Loudspeaker plug.

I've seen it used on a friend's 12V halogen lamp too ! It's forever falling out
when he knocks it.

Graham

 

[Dave Plowman (News)]

The connector, and what it might be called, is the bear! The male plug
is molded rubber, and the two connectors are a flat blade, 3/8 inch
long, about 1/8 inch wide. Near that is a round pin-like prong,
probably 1/16 in. or a little larger diameter. The configuration looks
kind of like this from the top (proportions are WAY off!):

o
___

Almost certainly a DIN speaker plug. An electronics supplier (Radio
Shack?) should have them.

 

[Rheilly Phoull]

I've google'd the net and search this forum, but no luck. So,.......

I've encountered two of these little beasties this week. It starts
with a wall wart style AC adapter, plug-connected to a small cable,
which in turn is connected to a 12 VAC miniature halogen bulb. They
are used to illuminate floor-standing bubbling lamps, and other
similar decorative lights.

The connector, and what it might be called, is the bear! The male
plug is molded rubber, and the two connectors are a flat blade, 3/8
inch long, about 1/8 inch wide. Near that is a round pin-like prong,
probably 1/16 in. or a little larger diameter. The configuration
looks kind of like this from the top (proportions are WAY off!):

o
___

This plugs into a wall wart style Class II transformer, low wattage
(15-20W), and the output is 12 VAC (don't know the amperage, but it
only needs to drive the miniature halogen bulb). The bulb look like
overhead projector lamps.

Now, my problem: I need to find a replacement wall wart transformer.
I've searched various suppliers including Mouser.com. I can find
transformers with the proper electrical characteristics, BUT the
secondary/output connector type is seldom described (if there is no
cord attached to it). And, I don't know the name of this connector
type so I can put it into a search engine.

Any help GREATLY appreciated!

Lakeside

Why not take the opportunity to change the plugs to the normal DC plug &
socket ??

 

[[email protected]]

2 pin DIN plug/jack/socket?
http://www.wagner.net.au/Catalogue/07_09.pdf

- Franc Zabkar

The male end kind of looks like the DP2M jack, lower left corner of the
page. Of course, what I need is a wall wart that has the female
counterpart of that.

Great lead--many thanks, Frank.

Lakeside

 

[[email protected]]

Almost certainly a DIN speaker plug. An electronics supplier (Radio
Shack?) should have them.

Dave and Eeyore,

Could be. But what I need is a wall wart with the female counterpart of
this plug. Could be RS might just have them. Many thanks for the tip.

Lakeside

 

[[email protected]]

Why not take the opportunity to change the plugs to the normal DC plug &
socket ??

Yup, could do that in the particular application. Just trying to save
some wiring, splicing, soldering, though. I figure if I found two
devices using this same kind of connector in one week, they gotta be
around somewhere!

Lakeside

 

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Dave and Eeyore,

Could be. But what I need is a wall wart with the female counterpart of
this plug. Could be RS might just have them. Many thanks for the tip.

I doubt you'll get a generic wall wart fitted with one. You'll need to
solder one on. They are available as line sockets.

 

[ian field]

I doubt you'll get a generic wall wart fitted with one. You'll need to
solder one on. They are available as line sockets.

--
*Women like silent men; they think they're listening.

Dave Plowman [email protected] London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Plenty of wall-wart adapters with settable voltage, reversible polarity and
a star type multi connector on the end of the lead.

 

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Plenty of wall-wart adapters with settable voltage, reversible polarity
and a star type multi connector on the end of the lead.

There are, but the requirement is for a 12 volt AC type for low voltage
lamps fitted with a 2 pin DIN line socket. Which isn't included on those
star type connectors.

 

[Franc Zabkar]

The male end kind of looks like the DP2M jack, lower left corner of the
page. Of course, what I need is a wall wart that has the female
counterpart of that.

Great lead--many thanks, Frank.

Lakeside

I have seen that type of socket in transformers for Christmas lights.

- Franc Zabkar

 

[M.Joshi]

As Frank said, it seems that you have a 2-pin DIN connector.

Most novelty items, cheap garden lights etc. have the same type o
power supply with a 2-pin DIN connection. Most of them are 12V an
usually interchangeable.

I remember using a power supply intended for garden lights to power
mini novelty disco ball/light which had a 2-pin DIN socket.

 

[ian field]

There are, but the requirement is for a 12 volt AC type for low voltage
lamps fitted with a 2 pin DIN line socket. Which isn't included on those
star type connectors.

--
*It was recently discovered that research causes cancer in rats*

Dave Plowman [email protected] London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Some of the more common multi-pin din sockets will take plugs with less
pins.

The OP might not want to break open a wall wart, but last time I needed an
AC one for a Hayes modem I opened an adjustable wall-wart and linked out the
rectifier, the LED can continue to work as well by adding an anti-parallel
1N4148 to protect it from reverse voltage and reduce the resistor to
compensate for only conducting on half cycles.

 

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Some of the more common multi-pin din sockets will take plugs with less
pins.

The DIN 2 pin is unique - it has one large flat pin and one small round -
the OP gave an ascii drawing.

It's true that there is an intentional allowing of some pin combinations
to mate with a different socket - this was to allow a degree of mono
compatibility when stereo arrived. Hence the rather strange pin out of a 5
pin DIN designed for stereo in and out to say a tape recorder.

 

[ian field]

The DIN 2 pin is unique - it has one large flat pin and one small round -
the OP gave an ascii drawing.

It's true that there is an intentional allowing of some pin combinations
to mate with a different socket - this was to allow a degree of mono
compatibility when stereo arrived. Hence the rather strange pin out of a 5
pin DIN designed for stereo in and out to say a tape recorder.

--
*I pretend to work. - they pretend to pay me.

Dave Plowman [email protected] London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

One large flat pin and one very small round pin sounds very much like a
loudspeaker plug!

 

[Dave Plowman (News)]

One large flat pin and one very small round pin sounds very much like a
loudspeaker plug!

Yup - that's exactly what it is - or rather was. I hope no quality maker
would be daft enough to use them these days - nasty things.

But I can confirm they're used for low voltage lighting - I've got a
couple here.