Parts recommendations thread

[ProducerMatt]

Hey there. I had a question about some parts and I figured I’d make it a general thread for specific parts recommendations, I’ll check it every now and again and add suggested parts to the top of the thread. If you have a part that works great with Oakley and you think others should know, post it.

You can find an (outdated) list of Mouser part numbers here, which I’ve found very helpful.

On to my question. The part I’m unsure about right now is the ribbon cables, mentioned as being needed for the Slim VCO. The SVCO parts list mentions:

• - 2 x 5 way 0.1” box header
  - A very small length of 10-way 0.05” IDC cable. You can cut down larger width to make 10
  way if you need to.

I’ve been doing searches on Mouser (I’m in Texas, so they deliver same day), and I’m not totally sure what’s appropriate to get. Partially because I’ve never worked with connector systems like this, and the Oakley documentation didn’t explain them to the degree a beginner needed. I tried searching the forum, but all my searches get 0 results.

I think I need ribbon cable, the socket that goes on the board, and a connector that the ribbon goes into, which can then be plugged and unplugged as needed.

I found these that I think match (LINKS):
Here’s a Molex box header.
A ribbon cable.
An IDC connector.

But I’m not understanding enough info from the Mouser pages or datasheets to feel sure they’re matching. If you can explain this or recommend parts that will work, please let me know.

[Blake Smith]

You could try this, just separate the 10 connector cable in to 2 5 connector wide ones. The important thing is the pitch is .100in or 2.54mm:

https://ca.mouser.com/ProductDetail/TE- ... %2fYwlg%3d

[Synthbuilder]

Here’s a Molex box header.
A ribbon cable.
An IDC connector.

The box header and the IDC connector look good. The cable is not correct - that's a flat jumper interconnect.

I reckon this should do:

Mouser Part No: 517-3365/10FT

Buy more than two connectors as you may well make a mess of the joining process (crimping) - trust me, it's easy to cock it up. You can buy a special tool for squashing IDC cable into the connectors but you can do the small ten way ones in a vice if you are careful.

Tony

[Blake Smith]

Sorry, seems I was completely wrong.

[ProducerMatt]

I’ve noticed that the Alpha pots needed are usually not available on Mouser. Are there any other brands that work just as well? Or, is there a good place where I can get exactly the ones I need, that don’t require me to buy bulk or pay VAT? I’m fine with any shaft type as long as I can get all the same.

[aunderhi]

Hey! I'm a newbie putting together a BOM for a bunch of Oakley stuff as well so this is helpful (I'm in Canada though).

Here's a link to the Alpha pots at Small Bear: http://www.smallbear-electronics.mybigc ... -vertical/

I believe these are the right ones for most of the Oakley projects?

[ProducerMatt]

Hi aunderhi! Sadly, the store is broken for me, when I go to my cart its empty, and it’s on a different domain too. (store-sxoup5r.mybigcommerce.com)

Does it work for you? I don’t have an account, do you?

EDIT: I set up an account but that doesn’t work either. I’ll email them I guess.

[ProducerMatt]

Also, is there a place I can just get a whole collection of M3 screws, nuts, and spacers? That’d be perfect.

[waldenpotato]

The box header and the IDC connector look good. The cable is not correct - that's a flat jumper interconnect.

I reckon this should do: Mouser Part No: 517-3365/10FT

Buy more than two connectors as you may well make a mess of the joining process (crimping) - trust me, it's easy to cock it up. You can buy a special tool for squashing IDC cable into the connectors but you can do the small ten way ones in a vice if you are careful.

Tony

Two questions:
1) The recommended cable comes in a length of 1 foot. What tool is needed to cut this to the desired length while also exposing the conductor?
2) If you don't have a vice - or any crimping tool - could you recommend a hand tool that could be used?

[Synthbuilder]

The recommended cable comes in a length of 1 foot. What tool is needed to cut this to the desired length while also exposing the conductor?

I use a pair of kitchen scissors. You can also use a sharp knife and a ruler to keep the cut straight. I prefer the scissors. I use a carpenter's set square to allow me to draw a pencil line at 90 degrees to the edge, and then cut along the line with the scissors. It gives a very neat edge and the wire is soft and thin enough not to damage your scissors

If you don't have a vice - or any crimping tool - could you recommend a hand tool that could be used?

I've done it with a piece of wood, a desk, and a hammer back in the day when I was starting out. The wood acts to share the force over the area of the connector. It worked, even on the old 40 way IDE connectors, but I wouldn't recommend it.

It's really worth getting an IDC crimper tool. They're very useful if you make your own power supply leads. Amazon sell them over here quite cheaply.

[waldenpotato]

It's really worth getting an IDC crimper tool. They're very useful if you make your own power supply leads. Amazon sell them over here quite cheaply.

Are IDC crimper tools generic? This sounds easy enough, I'll start looking around.

[Synthbuilder]

Are IDC crimper tools generic?

There are many different types of IDC (insulation displacement connector). The box style ones, used as Eurorack power ribbon cables, referred to above are one type. The 0.156" MTA power leads that MOTM uses are another type. Each type will need its own tool. The MTA ones are particularly expensive, even the simple T shaped ones. I prefer Molex KK crimps for both MOTM power leads (0.156") and board interconnects (0.1"). There's some information about the differences between MTA and Molex KK in my Construction Guide.

Box type header connectors require this sort of thing:

https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/crimp-tools/2356428/

Tony

[waldenpotato]

There's some information about the differences between MTA and Molex KK in my Construction Guide.

Yep, the construction guide even has a suggested tool for the Molex KK wire crimping.

Thanks.

[kdjupdal]

I bought this ribbon cable for the VCA-X:
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/8535
Ready-made with connector. It should work fine, right?

[Synthbuilder]

It should work fine, right?

Yes.