Another 'what connector is this?' - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Keith956 · 12th May 2023, 8:32 am

After succesfully identifying the Hirose connector, here's this morning's challenge: a 10 pin connector that at first I thought was a PS2, but it's not.

I've trawled through dozens of RS 10 pin connectors and not found it, please put me out of my misery!

turretslug · 12th May 2023, 9:02 am

Mini-DIN? At least, that's the colloquial term, I don't know what the actual series desgnation is, but it might help with searching. They were/are pretty popular but with a whole spectrum of pin numbers and polarising patterns.

Keith956 · 12th May 2023, 9:14 am

Ah yes, the PS2 plug I was thinking of is a sort of mini-DIN? This one has 10 pins though, which seems rare.

Keith956 · 12th May 2023, 10:47 am

THe more I look at it, the more it seems that it's not a mini-DIN plug. The only 10 pin DIN type plugs I've found have the pins arranged as 3-4-3. This one's got the pins as 2-3-3-2.

stevehertz · 12th May 2023, 2:10 pm

Obvious comment, doesn't the host equipment's user manual/data state what it is?

Keith956 · 12th May 2023, 2:53 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevehertz

Obvious comment, doesn't the host equipment's user manual/data state what it is?

Alas not. HP used to be superb in giving detailed schematics, parts lists, explanations of how things worked - no more. I have the user manuals but they have only HP part numbers, and googling them brought no joy.

turretslug · 12th May 2023, 7:20 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith956

THe more I look at it, the more it seems that it's not a mini-DIN plug. The only 10 pin DIN type plugs I've found have the pins arranged as 3-4-3. This one's got the pins as 2-3-3-2.

Come to think of it, I'm inclined to agree- I have a recollection of a range of miniature round multi-way connectors often found on stuff like semi-pro AV kit, "similar but different" to mini-DIN but with a cast (?) rather than folded metal outer shell and a little larger- which would tally with what are presumably BNC connectors next to it. Maybe another Hirose range?

G6Tanuki · 12th May 2023, 7:34 pm

Am sure I remember similar connectors being used for the audio side on our Polycom videoconferencing systems back in the mid-2000s.

Keith956 · 13th May 2023, 7:49 am

Yes the audio type connectors might be the ones, I think the camcorder I had in the 90’s had something similar. And being designed and built by HP Japan it could well be some obscure Japanese connector.

factory · 13th May 2023, 2:38 pm

Seems to be the used on the HP (or Agilent) 4155/4156 series semiconductor parameter analyzer to connect to a 16441A R-box, maybe someone has one and can check the cable?

David

Keith956 · 13th May 2023, 3:26 pm

Err, I recently came by the 4155! But it didn't have any cables to go with it.

12th May 2023, 8:32 am	#1
Keith956 Heptode Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Oxfordshire Posts: 737	Another 'what connector is this?' After succesfully identifying the Hirose connector, here's this morning's challenge: a 10 pin connector that at first I thought was a PS2, but it's not. I've trawled through dozens of RS 10 pin connectors and not found it, please put me out of my misery! Attached Thumbnails

12th May 2023, 9:02 am	#2
turretslug Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Surrey, UK. Posts: 4,394	Re: Another 'what connector is this?' Mini-DIN? At least, that's the colloquial term, I don't know what the actual series desgnation is, but it might help with searching. They were/are pretty popular but with a whole spectrum of pin numbers and polarising patterns.

12th May 2023, 9:14 am	#3
Keith956 Heptode Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Oxfordshire Posts: 737	Re: Another 'what connector is this?' Ah yes, the PS2 plug I was thinking of is a sort of mini-DIN? This one has 10 pins though, which seems rare.

12th May 2023, 10:47 am	#4
Keith956 Heptode Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Oxfordshire Posts: 737	Re: Another 'what connector is this?' THe more I look at it, the more it seems that it's not a mini-DIN plug. The only 10 pin DIN type plugs I've found have the pins arranged as 3-4-3. This one's got the pins as 2-3-3-2.

12th May 2023, 2:10 pm	#5
stevehertz Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 8,830	Re: Another 'what connector is this?' Obvious comment, doesn't the host equipment's user manual/data state what it is? __________________ A digital radio is the latest thing, but a vintage wireless is forever..

12th May 2023, 7:34 pm	#8
G6Tanuki Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 13,996	Re: Another 'what connector is this?' Am sure I remember similar connectors being used for the audio side on our Polycom videoconferencing systems back in the mid-2000s. __________________ I'm the Operator of my Pocket Calculator. -Kraftwerk.

13th May 2023, 7:49 am	#9
Keith956 Heptode Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Oxfordshire Posts: 737	Re: Another 'what connector is this?' Yes the audio type connectors might be the ones, I think the camcorder I had in the 90’s had something similar. And being designed and built by HP Japan it could well be some obscure Japanese connector.

13th May 2023, 2:38 pm	#10
factory Octode Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cheshire, UK. Posts: 1,733	Re: Another 'what connector is this?' Seems to be the used on the HP (or Agilent) 4155/4156 series semiconductor parameter analyzer to connect to a 16441A R-box, maybe someone has one and can check the cable? David

13th May 2023, 3:26 pm	#11
Keith956 Heptode Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Oxfordshire Posts: 737	Re: Another 'what connector is this?' Err, I recently came by the 4155! But it didn't have any cables to go with it.