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Main => Builders Discussions => Topic started by: davjones on November 17, 2014, 05:42:30 PM

Title: Cannon connectors
Post by: davjones on November 17, 2014, 05:42:30 PM
Anybody ever tried to remove the connector inserts from the female half of a Cannon connector?

Must be a special tool for this but I wouldn't know how to get one and I wonder if one could be improvised.

Thanks!

...Dave
Title: Re: Cannon connectors
Post by: quid246 on November 17, 2014, 06:41:40 PM
Check all the big electronics houses... Mouser, Newar, DigiKey.  They sell the Cannon plugs, so they sell the tools....can't say they will be cheap though.
Title: Re: Cannon connectors
Post by: philb737 on November 17, 2014, 11:00:07 PM
Easily done, insert a fine sharp Allen wrench tool with the same pin diameter preferably one with a handle into the pin hole and push-in from the top! Sometimes , it helps if you pull the wire from the opposite side while pushing from the top. I've removed over 100 pins using this method :o
Cheers,
Phil
Title: Re: Cannon connectors
Post by: Edoradar on November 18, 2014, 02:48:18 PM
The tool you want is DRK20B or equivalent. It removes both pins and sockets 20AWG size from Mil 26500 serie connector and others.
Title: Re: Cannon connectors
Post by: davjones on November 19, 2014, 05:18:25 PM
I don't think there's any question you can't find an answer to on this forum!  I thought I was pushing the envelope with this one, but wrong again!

Phil's method is naturally my first choice due to the cost of the tool, but if I can't make it work I know exactly what I need and where to look for it.

Phil, I did try the allen wrench thing just quick today and failed.  I couldn't find an allen wrench quite small enough to get in that hole.  Now, when you said use an allen wrench, I figured you said that because it was just a convenient tool to push with.  What I did was to use a drill bit that fit in the hole, but once it bottomed, I could not press it any farther.  Which makes me wonder, do you need the allen wrench to actually turn something in there? 

Thanks for all the help!

...Dave
Title: Re: Cannon connectors
Post by: philb737 on November 19, 2014, 09:33:24 PM
Dave,
How about a short video demonstrating how I take the pin out using my technique :).
Cheers,
Phil
Title: Re: Cannon connectors
Post by: philb737 on November 20, 2014, 10:05:49 AM
Here's a short video:

http://youtu.be/AqiZ3HyfDQI (http://youtu.be/AqiZ3HyfDQI)
Title: Re: Cannon connectors
Post by: 727737Nut on November 20, 2014, 01:35:03 PM
Where can i get the pins?
Title: Re: Cannon connectors
Post by: quid246 on November 20, 2014, 04:46:42 PM
Here's a link to one vendor that has all the datasheets.... just plug your desire P/N into OctoPart.com and see what's the cheapest.

http://www.peigenesis.com/en/connectors/by-series-type/bacc45a63connectors.html (http://www.peigenesis.com/en/connectors/by-series-type/bacc45a63connectors.html)
Title: Re: Cannon connectors
Post by: davjones on November 20, 2014, 06:06:42 PM
Thanks so much for doing the video, Phil.  I see that the allen wrench is not for turning, but just a push tool, as I thought in the first place.  I think my problem is that I couldn't push on it hard enough with the little drill bit I tried.  No time tomorrow but I'll try again on Saturday and report back.

I'm sure it'll be easier after I get the first one loose and can see exactly what holds them in and what it takes to release them...

Thanks again!

...Dave
Title: Re: Cannon connectors
Post by: davjones on November 22, 2014, 05:01:11 PM
Said I'd report back today but never did get a chance to mess with it.  Won't be able to use an allen wrench though, at least not with what I have here.  Smallest I have is 3/64" -- small but not quite small enough.  Hopefully I can improvise with something else that's very small and yet rigid.  Where'd you ever find an allen wrench that small with a handle?

Obviously, it's the right tool for the job!

Another report soon...

...Dave
Title: Re: Cannon connectors
Post by: philb737 on November 22, 2014, 08:04:04 PM
Dave,
I just used an old probe lead from a multimeter :) and it works like a charm!! ;D Concerning the allen wrench,I purchased it in Germany many many years agooooo.
Cheers,
Phil
Title: Re: Cannon connectors
Post by: blueskydriver on November 23, 2014, 03:25:13 AM
Hi Dave,

You can buy the allen wrench (also called ball wrench) with handles from some hardware stores, but to get the smaller sizes, go to the website for Du-bro.

Standard here:

http://shop.dubro.com/p/5-piece-ball-wrench-set-qty-pkg-1 (http://shop.dubro.com/p/5-piece-ball-wrench-set-qty-pkg-1)

and Metric here:

http://shop.dubro.com/p/5-piece-ball-wrench-set-qty-pkg-1-1 (http://shop.dubro.com/p/5-piece-ball-wrench-set-qty-pkg-1-1)

Most items are for the Remote Control (RC) hobby, but they sell an Imperial (standard) and a Metric set. If you need individual odd sizes, just search their website. I suggest you purchase both sets above because you will use them with your simulator, be it as what they're designed for, or to do the odd things like removing pins from cannon plugs...  :idiot:

John
Title: Re: Cannon connectors
Post by: davjones on November 23, 2014, 03:08:53 PM
Okay -- back again.  What I came up with is an 18 gauge finishing nail, head cut off and point filed mostly flat.  Put it horizontally in the end of the vice jaws, leaving just enough of the nail protruding to do its work -- maybe 5/8" or so.

Then just press the connector on, and poof, the contact is out.  Ridiculously easy.  And surely plenty cheap....

Only small problem is that the nail is just a little tight, so will try to file off just point .001 or .002" all the way around to loosen it up.  Or see how the next smaller size might be.  Works great as is, but I don't want to take a chance on permanently opening up the contacts and ending up with problems due to a loose fit.

John -- yeah.  We never know what unintended purpose we'll end up using our tools for.   :)   

Thanks so much to all for the outstanding help!

...Dave

Title: Re: Cannon connectors
Post by: geneb on November 24, 2014, 01:09:17 PM
That video was REALLY painful to watch. :)

You know that you're destroying the internal clips inside the cannon plug right?  If not outright, then damaging them pretty badly.

You can get a tool like this: http://www.jameco.com/1/1/26294-91285-1-insertion-extraction-tool.html (http://www.jameco.com/1/1/26294-91285-1-insertion-extraction-tool.html) that will allow you to remove the pins without doing damage to the pin or the connector body.  The extractor is inserted in the back of the connector and it folds the little plastic clips out of the way and prevents them from re-engaging the socket or pin as you pull the wire out.

I can do a video of how it's done if you want to see that I'm not nuts. :D

g.