Below at "PRIOR POST" is a copy of a post to the list in March 2010. The requirement never eventuated but now I have a similar one. Basically the need is for a ~4 pole waterproof connector that can handle a few amps at ELV, is robust enough for field use by the untrained and costs less than any professional connector ever will. ie < $US1/pair would be nice. $2US MAY be tolerable. More gets hard to justify. Wire-wire or wire-bulkhead could both be suitable. Device body to wire or wire-wire may be OK. Connector on "body" must never allow water to enter body if exposed to water. Can usually be kept dry when not in use (waterproof "door", but "accidents happen" in an uncontrollable environment. Connector pair must be watertight in use. Voltage <=3D 5V in first use. A connector only 5V rated would suffice initially but it is vastly unlikely that anything would be rated so low. Nominal 12V and <=3D 20V application may follow. Application nominally 18V or 36V and < 50V may follow. Use should be clear on pondering :-). Any suggestions? _____________________ Best answer last time was probably the one from Dwayne. He was using JST's JWPF series Excellent JWPF overview document here http://www.jst-mfg.com/product/pdf/en= g /eJWPF.pdf Digikey http://www.digikey.com/product-search/en?x=3D-1421&y=3D-69&la= ng =3Den&site=3Dus&KeyWords=3Djst+jwpf $1.06 & $0.89 at 2500 quantity Contacts 3.224c & 3.941 in 8200 rolls So at 2500 quantity these cost $1.06 + $0.89 + 4 x (0.03224 + 0.03941) =3D$2.24 But wait, ah - Two styles of JWPF? One is wire to wire and the other probably wire to bulkhead. Anon - a better pag with all on one page http://www.digikey ..com/product-search/en/connectors-interconnects/rectangular-connectors-hous= ings/1442556?k=3D jst%20jwpf $0.75942 + $0.39099 + 4 x (0.03224 + 0.03941) =3D $US1.44 / 2500 One example here http://media.digikey.com/pdf/Data%20Sheets/JST%20PDFs/04T- JWPF-VSLE-S.pdf ____________ Tools - 26 Carat gold apparently * Crimp tools $ wow agh! http://www.digikey.com/product-search/en/tools/crimpers -applicators-presses/1245292?k=3Djst%20jwpf Pin insert remove tool http://www.digikey ..com/product-search/en/tools/insertion-extraction/1245293?k=3Djst%20jwpf Looks promising. Do I hear any improvement on $2.24 / $1.44 / 2500 quantity? :-) Russell =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D PRIOR POST =3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D Having looked all over, and having found some connectors that somewhat meet my needs, It's probably time to ask the assembled throng who probably have just what I need. I thought I may have done this but gargoylemail finds no trace. Most significant specs below are waterproof exterior to interior, 4+ pins, lowest cost, smallish size. The rest we haggle over. Volume requirement. Possible one off finders fee (unlikely to be especially large) at my discretion for a brilliant find. Wanted: Connector pair *** Lowest reasonably possible cost (of course) *** Maybe maybe $US1 but less to much less better. So eg HiRose miniature connectors unlikely to feature. 4 pins - or maybe more. Quite a few more OK if other specs met. Some sort of polarization. "A few amps rated" nothing flash. Low voltage DC Smaller than larger. User bulletproof - won't have pins bent or plug misinserted by any conceivable user action. So eg mini DIN8 is no good. Used to connect a cable to a portable device. Socket on device Plug on cord. Ideally no pins easily accessed on plug or socket when not connected - eg somewhat shrouded. Very ideally no pins connect in incorrect manners during insertion/withdrawal. (eg a 3.5mm phone plug with 4 terminals may meet much of these needs but mix and matches all sorts of conductor combos during insertion. Cord plug could be right angle to advantage but not necessary. Must be wholly waterproof from outside to interior under all circumstances. IP68 or whatever. BUT From outside to interior of body socket need not be waterproof BUT having ability to add a cover or plug to make connector internal waterproof would be good. This is not the one you want, but for an example imagine a 4 wire micro-USB plug inserted into a camera. There is a waterproof door or rubber seal which waterproofs the socket when closed and provide plug access when open. BUT even when open there is no water access onto interior. Socket internals can get wet but not pass water through. Something which is made for inline to inline (cord to cord) may do with body end being creatively mounted. Ideally socket does not protrude when plug not inserted, or not much. Ok for plug to protrude when inserted - but as above 90 degrees better. Creative solutions fine. Need not be pretty but pretty is OK. Attached photo shows a possible candidate but could be better. Socket is not "through" waterproof but could perhaps be rendered so with care. Plug housing could be improved. Need not be a connector which is intended for strain relieved use by itself - ie if it is bare and open on plug side a shell etc could be added. Thoughts? ________________________ * - yes, I know. --=20 http://www.piclist.com/techref/piclist PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .