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A Discussion About DC Power Jacks And Plugs, As Well As Other Miscellaneous Parts — Parallax Forums

A Discussion About DC Power Jacks And Plugs, As Well As Other Miscellaneous Parts

idbruceidbruce Posts: 6,197
in General Discussion
I recently made a huge blunder by building my prototypes with several Radio Shack parts. To make matters worse, drawings were sent off to a supplier with the hole dimensions for these parts. To say the least, I am now trying to remedy these design mistakes. The offending Radio Shack parts are as follows:

(12) - 270-0344 Battery Clips @ $2.99 = $35.88
(6) - 274-1573 Size N DC power plug @ $3.99 = $23.94
(12) - 274-1583 Size N DC power jack @ $3.99 = $47.88
(12) - 275-0324 SPST Submini switch @ $3.99 = $47.88
__________________________________________________________________
Radio Shack Total $155.58

I am sure you can now see my concern :)

As for the list above, I am supplying it, just in case someone has any good suggestions for replacements. In the case of the mini switch, I am thinking about replacing it with this switch: parts-express.com/spst-mini-toggle-switch--060-510

And as far as the jack goes, I am thinking about replacing it with this (although a little leary about the quality) : ebay.com/itm/5-Pcs-5-5mmx2-1mm-DC-Power-Jack-Socket-Female-Panel-Mount-Connector-DI-/261969240910?hash=item3cfe95634e:g:6W4AAOSwu4BVpvz0

I am also considering just ordering some switchcraft jacks and plugs from Mouser.

Anyhow... One of my concerns is the standard applications of jacks and plugs. The RS parts are Size N (2.5 X 5.5) and I am using these parts in a 12V/1A load application. I am sure there must be some kind of standard for determining the proper size of plug and jack to use being dependant upon the voltage and the load, so I am just looking for some input.

Comments

  • Bob Lawrence (VE1RLL)Bob Lawrence (VE1RLL) Posts: 1,720
    You may find some of it here: https://www.taydaelectronics.com/

  • Bob Lawrence (VE1RLL)Bob Lawrence (VE1RLL) Posts: 1,720
    edited 2016-03-03 22:04


    Current Rating: 6A @ 125Vac, 3A @ 250Vac

    http://www.taydaelectronics.com/mini-toggle-switch-spdt-on-on.html
  • idbruceidbruce Posts: 6,197
    Hey Bob

    Thanks for the link. They have a similar jack to the one I listed for ebay for under half the price, but ebay says free shipping with conditions. Never sure which way to go :)
  • mindrobotsmindrobots Posts: 6,506
    I've had good luck with tayda. A lot of their items seem to ship quickly from Colorado and their shipping charges are reasonable.
  • jmgjmg Posts: 15,173
    idbruce wrote: »
    Anyhow... One of my concerns is the standard applications of jacks and plugs. The RS parts are Size N (2.5 X 5.5) and I am using these parts in a 12V/1A load application. I am sure there must be some kind of standard for determining the proper size of plug and jack to use being dependant upon the voltage and the load, so I am just looking for some input.

    They are not panel mounting, but we use PJ-047 series, for a super-solid PCB attach, and neat modern appearance, and they come in 2.5A and 5A rated versions.
  • Ron CzapalaRon Czapala Posts: 2,418
    I prefer these power jacks over the ones similar to the RS jacks but they require a larger opening. I think they maintain better contact with the plugs
    http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10001_10001_151590_-1


    I also like these plugs
    http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10001_10001_2004890_-1
    151590.jpg
    150 x 150 - 4K
    2004890.jpg
    150 x 150 - 2K
  • idbruceidbruce Posts: 6,197
    @Bob - That is a good deal on the switch, but it is SPDT. I have found several good deals on SPDT switches, but finding the deals for SPST switches appears to be a tad more difficult.

    Additionally, I imagine that I will have to make new drawings for my supplier, because finding jacks and switches that require the same size holes will make the search much more difficult, when combined with pricing.
  • idbruceidbruce Posts: 6,197
    @Ron - Yea, those jacks are a little big for me, space is fairly cramped for the design.
  • Bob Lawrence (VE1RLL)Bob Lawrence (VE1RLL) Posts: 1,720
    Try Jameco:

    http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10001_10001_2135478_-1
  • Ron CzapalaRon Czapala Posts: 2,418
    edited 2016-03-04 00:27
    This switch is pretty small -
    http://www.jameco.com/Jameco/Products/ProdDS/72161.pdf

    data sheet http://www.jameco.com/Jameco/Products/ProdDS/72161.pdf
  • idbruceidbruce Posts: 6,197
    Upon further investigation of suggested switches, while comparing the price and dimensions of these switches, I believe the best bet is the switch I linked to in the first post. Besides being a little wider, I think it matches up fairly well and it may even fit in the existing designed hole. Not including s + h, this part cuts the original RS part price by 75% :)

    I will now begin investigating the DC power jack, but I still wonder about standards concerning voltage and load.
  • Heater.Heater. Posts: 21,230
    I have nothing useful to add here.

    Except that I hate those barrel connectors.

    Well, no, they are very good. But they come in all different shapes and sizes. Even when you find male and female that are the same diameter the length does not match and connection is unreliable.

    Now the world is standardizing on micro USB connectors for powering little electronic things. But they are very wonky and unreliable.

    How is it possible that in 2016 it's so hard to connect 5v to anything?


  • kwinnkwinn Posts: 8,697
    Hard to beat 2 header pins for low currents or screw terminals for higher current boards. Have to watch out for polarity of course.
  • idbruceidbruce Posts: 6,197
    -> Heater
    I have nothing useful to add here.

    Except that I hate those barrel connectors.

    Well, no, they are very good. But they come in all different shapes and sizes. Even when you find male and female that are the same diameter the length does not match and connection is unreliable.

    Yea, barrel connectors can be a real pain, especially if you are working with someone else's product and you do not know what size they used.

    -> kwinn
    Hard to beat 2 header pins for low currents or screw terminals for higher current boards. Have to watch out for polarity of course.

    That is a nice thought, but.... This is for the squirrel cage blower units that I am making for my furnaces. The fans are 12V and I want the blower units to readily adapt to either common 12V wall warts for AC power or swap out the adapter for a cable with clamps for 12VDC battery power. As you know, the barrel connectors make quick work of this swap. This will be for a commercial product, so I want to make it as user friendly as possible.

    -> Everyone else

    Additionally at this point, production of the furnaces and accessories are well under way, and I just need a little more capital to be ready for spring. In the near future, I will be selling quite a bit of electrical stuff, as well as other stuff, to try and raise some of this capital.
  • Buck RogersBuck Rogers Posts: 2,185
    idbruce wrote: »
    I recently made a huge blunder by building my prototypes with several Radio Shack parts. To make matters worse, drawings were sent off to a supplier with the hole dimensions for these parts. To say the least, I am now trying to remedy these design mistakes. The offending Radio Shack parts are as follows:

    (12) - 270-0344 Battery Clips @ $2.99 = $35.88
    (6) - 274-1573 Size N DC power plug @ $3.99 = $23.94
    (12) - 274-1583 Size N DC power jack @ $3.99 = $47.88
    (12) - 275-0324 SPST Submini switch @ $3.99 = $47.88
    __________________________________________________________________
    Radio Shack Total $155.58

    I am sure you can now see my concern :)

    As for the list above, I am supplying it, just in case someone has any good suggestions for replacements. In the case of the mini switch, I am thinking about replacing it with this switch: parts-express.com/spst-mini-toggle-switch--060-510

    And as far as the jack goes, I am thinking about replacing it with this (although a little leary about the quality) : ebay.com/itm/5-Pcs-5-5mmx2-1mm-DC-Power-Jack-Socket-Female-Panel-Mount-Connector-DI-/261969240910?hash=item3cfe95634e:g:6W4AAOSwu4BVpvz0

    I am also considering just ordering some switchcraft jacks and plugs from Mouser.

    Anyhow... One of my concerns is the standard applications of jacks and plugs. The RS parts are Size N (2.5 X 5.5) and I am using these parts in a 12V/1A load application. I am sure there must be some kind of standard for determining the proper size of plug and jack to use being dependant upon the voltage and the load, so I am just looking for some input.

    Oddly enough I do understand as well. I typically use those N style adapter plugs. Also the two wires added. And of course several other items. But in the style that enables being connected to standard adapter plug cabling.

    They are standardized all over the place, except in the power polarity.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    Barrel jacks have potential polarity reversal, too.
  • Buck RogersBuck Rogers Posts: 2,185
    erco wrote: »
    Barrel jacks have potential polarity reversal, too.

    That they do. The ones I described contain notations where they can be inserted wither with internal as positive or with the external as positive.
    ----

    Okay erco both robots are back, but a third has gotten out.

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