Re: Advice - chop 16x4 s**** in 2 / multipin connectors

"FatBoySlimFast" <steveNOspamTAveryMUCH@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message 
news:1ts0141dc1lvshjht8s4sdagrrt6lq9upc@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Hi guys,
>
> I would love to be able to connect my s**** to my mixer via a multipin
> connector. The main driver would be to save time setting up for live
> gigs.
>
> I have a 16 send / 4 return s**** (all XLRs) which I could use. I'm
> wondering whether it's sensible to chop the tails off and wire up a
> pair of multipin connectors.
>
> Can someone give me advice on whether this is doable, what skills I'd
> need (eg. how good would my soldering have to be), what types of
> connector I should use, what are the issues / risks etc.
>
> Cheers,
> Steve W

Steve:
I've done this with 16/4 and  24/4 s****s and Elco 8016 connecectors. We 
experienced excellent reliability, most problems were due to pin damage 
(easily visible), with a few instances of internal wire failure in the 
backshells usually from sharp bends because of the wad of wires crammed
into 
the backshell. The pins themselves are extremely reliable connections.

The Elco 8016 uses gold plated hermaphrodite crimp pins, so you use the
same 
pins for both mates. The crimp tool is not cheap - several hundred bucks.
I 
managed to borrow the tool from a rep the first time around, but
eventually 
had to buy one for maintenance. The crimp pins are better for road service

than a solder pin. I tried using some standard MIL-spec crimp tools that I

could borrow from our production department, but the pins didn't form 
correctly to slide into the housing, as I recall. Other vendors such as
Amp 
may have pins that work with the (non-ratcheting) hand tools that costs 
$20-30.

The stage side connector held up better after I had the sense to attach a 
blank mating receptacle with some aircraft cable. Then when it was 
disconnected from the mixer pigtail, there was a handy cover that
protected 
the pins when the connector was dragged or dropped. I could never got
people 
to use a cover until it was physically attached and they couldn't ignore
it 
or lose it. The mixer end was not so much a problem because it couldn't 
reach the floor.

I bought larger road cases with extra 4" along the back for storage of the

pigtail. Some case companies did a better job of sup****ting the mixers
than 
others. Make them use a full length wood sup****t instead of two blocks at 
the ends. Spreading the load minimizes the foam cru****ng and holds the
mixer 
more securely when the case is standing up on its back.

The only other minor problem we've experienced is the loss of screw
hardware 
in the connectors (covers, cable clamps). They vibrate loose and should be

Loctite-d or checked regularly. Some of the hardware is difficult to
replace 
because it is odd sizes or head designs.

There are probably better multi-pins than the Elco's, but they are still 
available from Newark and others.

Good luck.
Steve