four-pin plug

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photomicro
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four-pin plug

#1 Post by photomicro » Wed Jun 06, 2018 1:23 pm

I need a plug like the one shown below, to fit in a Nikon PSU I have. This plug is on my Diaphot, but the lamp I want to use the PSU is a different fitting.

I rather think this may be a more common type over in the US, we don't see it here in the UK.

To find one, I could do with know what it is called !

many thanks

Mike
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apochronaut
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Joined: Fri May 15, 2015 12:15 am

Re: four-pin plug

#2 Post by apochronaut » Thu Jun 07, 2018 12:14 pm

The assortment of power connectors associated with microscopes is bewildering.....and then there are the retro fits of odd ball plugs and sockets. It is a testament to something about mankind that we could foist upon our fellows, such bewildering arrays of different shaped things, that perform exactly the same function. We could just leave that up to flowers, couldn't we?
I have disassembled plugs and or sockets sometimes to find a manufacturers name, part no., type code or something and been able to track them down from that. There should be some markings somewhere. I have seen one like yours but I can't remember where, possibly on a Nikon, I suppose.

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Crater Eddie
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Re: four-pin plug

#3 Post by Crater Eddie » Thu Jun 07, 2018 6:32 pm

These types of plugs were common on all sorts of equipment for many years. I can't for the life of me think of what they are called, but it will come to me sooner or later. Seems like I have seen them in parts catalogs as recently as 5 or 6 years ago.
CE
Olympus BH-2 / BHTU
LOMO BIOLAM L-2-2
LOMO POLAM L-213 / BIOLAM L-211 hybrid
LOMO Multiscope (Biolam)
Cameras: Canon T3i, Olympus E-P1 MFT, Amscope 3mp USB

PeteM
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Re: four-pin plug

#4 Post by PeteM » Thu Jun 07, 2018 7:57 pm

Likely a Cinch Jones connector: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Cinch-Jones-4- ... 2430550042

These were also made, if memory serves, in 6 pin and 8 pin versions.

FWIW, it's often easier to replace old connectors with both ends of a modern equivalent (voltage and amp rated).

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Crater Eddie
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Re: four-pin plug

#5 Post by Crater Eddie » Thu Jun 07, 2018 11:39 pm

Yes, that's what I was trying to think of. Made in many pin configurations.
CE
Olympus BH-2 / BHTU
LOMO BIOLAM L-2-2
LOMO POLAM L-213 / BIOLAM L-211 hybrid
LOMO Multiscope (Biolam)
Cameras: Canon T3i, Olympus E-P1 MFT, Amscope 3mp USB

photomicro
Posts: 207
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Location: UK

Re: four-pin plug

#6 Post by photomicro » Fri Jun 08, 2018 10:42 am

PeteM wrote:Likely a Cinch Jones connector: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Cinch-Jones-4- ... 2430550042

These were also made, if memory serves, in 6 pin and 8 pin versions.

FWIW, it's often easier to replace old connectors with both ends of a modern equivalent (voltage and amp rated).
Thanks for this Pete, most helpful. Struggling to see why connectors like this in poor condition have such high prices, but I guess they are not made any more. I may, as you suggest, end up using a modern equivalent, though it means having to remove the socket from the PSU, which I was trying to avoid, whereas fixing a new plug (male) to the cable is easy.

Mike

bobm4360
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Re: four-pin plug

#7 Post by bobm4360 » Fri Jun 08, 2018 8:34 pm

These are available at Amazon, Allied, Digikey and others.

photomicro
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Re: four-pin plug

#8 Post by photomicro » Sat Jun 09, 2018 12:55 pm

bobm4360 wrote:These are available at Amazon, Allied, Digikey and others.
Unfortunately, I cannot find them on the UK Amazon site Bob. DigiKey have a UK site, but the shipping is $16 !

There must be defunct equipment lying around with this type of plug on....

:)

Mike

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Crater Eddie
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Re: four-pin plug

#9 Post by Crater Eddie » Sat Jun 09, 2018 1:55 pm

See if you have an amateur radio operators club in your area. One of those fellows probably has a few of these connectors in a box somewhere.
CE
Olympus BH-2 / BHTU
LOMO BIOLAM L-2-2
LOMO POLAM L-213 / BIOLAM L-211 hybrid
LOMO Multiscope (Biolam)
Cameras: Canon T3i, Olympus E-P1 MFT, Amscope 3mp USB

MichaelG.
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Re: four-pin plug

#10 Post by MichaelG. » Sat Jun 09, 2018 3:07 pm

Mike,

Here's a useful reference page from Mouser:
http://www.cpcares.com/pdf/1101.pdf

The 'stock numbers' are clickable, for price and availability.

MichaelG.
Too many 'projects'

photomicro
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Re: four-pin plug

#11 Post by photomicro » Sat Jun 09, 2018 3:35 pm

MichaelG. wrote:Mike,

Here's a useful reference page from Mouser:
http://www.cpcares.com/pdf/1101.pdf

The 'stock numbers' are clickable, for price and availability.

MichaelG.
Useful Michael, but even when you go to the 'British' site, all it does as far as I can see is quote in pounds, and postage is still £12.

Mike

MichaelG.
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Re: four-pin plug

#12 Post by MichaelG. » Sat Jun 09, 2018 4:34 pm

photomicro wrote:
... and postage is still £12.

Mike
I was actually more interested to help you identify the exact item that you need, from the 304 series.
... You wouldn't want to buy the wrong one !!

MichaelG.
.

Mouser's postage is apparently "free on most orders over £33" but that probably doesn't help.

Edit: I've just checked RScomponents for one variant:
https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/industri ... s/8859119/
Too many 'projects'

photomicro
Posts: 207
Joined: Thu Aug 03, 2017 10:28 am
Location: UK

Re: four-pin plug

#13 Post by photomicro » Sun Jun 10, 2018 5:25 pm

MichaelG. wrote:
photomicro wrote:
... and postage is still £12.

Mike
I was actually more interested to help you identify the exact item that you need, from the 304 series.
... You wouldn't want to buy the wrong one !!

MichaelG.
.

Mouser's postage is apparently "free on most orders over £33" but that probably doesn't help.

Edit: I've just checked RScomponents for one variant:
https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/industri ... s/8859119/

Thanks again Michael. Amazing how many versions of these there were, from 2 up to 8 pin (or pole!) and even used on some loudspeakers it seems. Reminds me of the sort of odd connectors used on some high-end Hi-Fi such as Naim, Quad etc. rather than the standard phono jacks.

Frustrating that RS seem to have these listed as discontinued.

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