Source of good quality edge connectors
I've been buying edge connectors from China using eBay now for a couple of years.
They've been cheaper from eBay then at regular suppliers.
And until a couple of months ago, I never had problems with them.
Here is an eBay link of this moment:
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/50pcs-Card-Edge-Slot-Connector-Socket-31x2P-62P-PC-XT-pitch-2-54mm-31x2-/140675695848?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20c0ecc4e8
I prefer these ones, as they fit easily on the ZX Spectrum.
Here's a photo:

Last year I bought a batch of 500 of these.
But I started using them a couple of months later, as I was using old stock first.
I found out a lot of these connectors had pins that bend easily, even on clean ZX Spectrum edge connectors.
When carefully testing all connectors, I had to throw away about 40%.
Unfortunately I even had some interfaces returned which had bent pins lateron, so I need to test better and throw even more away.
I searched for an alternative, and found these 'industrial quality' connectors:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/50pc-Industrial-Card-Edge-Slot-Socket-Connector-31x2P-62P-2-54mm-0-1-3A-/130805326761?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e749ae3a9
These fit tigher around the boards edge, but are not easy to use with smaller interfaces.
Here's a photo:

But now it seems even these connectors have pins that bend quite easily.
Although the problem is not that large compared to the 'standard' quality ones.
I thought it's time to share my experiences.
And I like to ask: do any of you know a supplier with reliable connectors for a good price?
They've been cheaper from eBay then at regular suppliers.
And until a couple of months ago, I never had problems with them.
Here is an eBay link of this moment:
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/50pcs-Card-Edge-Slot-Connector-Socket-31x2P-62P-PC-XT-pitch-2-54mm-31x2-/140675695848?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20c0ecc4e8
I prefer these ones, as they fit easily on the ZX Spectrum.
Here's a photo:

Last year I bought a batch of 500 of these.
But I started using them a couple of months later, as I was using old stock first.
I found out a lot of these connectors had pins that bend easily, even on clean ZX Spectrum edge connectors.
When carefully testing all connectors, I had to throw away about 40%.
Unfortunately I even had some interfaces returned which had bent pins lateron, so I need to test better and throw even more away.
I searched for an alternative, and found these 'industrial quality' connectors:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/50pc-Industrial-Card-Edge-Slot-Socket-Connector-31x2P-62P-2-54mm-0-1-3A-/130805326761?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e749ae3a9
These fit tigher around the boards edge, but are not easy to use with smaller interfaces.
Here's a photo:

But now it seems even these connectors have pins that bend quite easily.
Although the problem is not that large compared to the 'standard' quality ones.
I thought it's time to share my experiences.
And I like to ask: do any of you know a supplier with reliable connectors for a good price?
Post edited by bverstee on
Comments
Right there is the problem. You only get what you pay for.
Maybe, but that's not helping me ;)
I've looked for good prices in the past, but it's hard to find prices anywhere near those on eBay.
And these parts have suited me (us!) well for years.
Mark
Repair Guides. Spanish Hardware site.
WoS - can't download? Info here...
former Meulie Spectrum Archive but no longer available :-(
Spectranet: the TNFS directory thread
! Standby alert !
“There are four lights!”
Step up to red alert. Sir, are you absolutely sure? It does mean changing the bulb!
Looking forward to summer in Somerset later in the year :)
I've been using these ones from maplin too with no problems. I was suprised at the price, everywhere else I looked was very expensive. They are described here as gold plated contacts but the ones I got aren't.
not sure if anyone like RS / Farrell sell something similar ?
it's a pity sinclair didn't go with a better solution than the edge connector (like the bbc micro)
I'll have 10 or 15 off you. How much?.......where are you located?
Ian.
The second one is better quality. I had same problems of bending with the first ones using with my ZX80/81 hardware. The second is not easy to bend. When I prepare the connectors (cut them to length) I put them a few times carefully on a pcb which wides the contacts a little bit and reduces problems with bended contacts.
I buy them from here, in the meantime they are present in the Netherland as well.
http://www.reichelt.nl/Plug-in-Slots-Board-Connectors/2/index.html?&ACTION=2&LA=3&GROUP=C1B7&GROUPID=5218&START=0&OFFSET=16&SHOW=1
A fresh re-soldering with special type solder is the best solution.
Worth noting that Pcb abrasive blocks clean up the edge connectors very well. Be sure to rub in both directions (x & y) for best results.
Ian.
The problem described from Ben is bended contacts when connecting it to the pcb - not problems with electrical contact. If you press the connector onto the pcb some contacts may be bended and this is quite hard to repair. The second connector has better contact springs that are not that easy to push into the connector.
I have some experience with this issue and even repaired one or two connectors but decided to use the second type only in future. This issue doesn't came back since more than one year for sure.
Also the poor quality steel softens easily after the soldering temperature.
However, the problem of dirt from the ZX connector is the most common of the edge connector.
Neither as inexpensive nor an exact replacement for your needs as they're suited for through-hole assemblies on flat PCBs, but you might consider these:
http://it.farnell.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=15001&langId=-4&urlRequestType=Base&partNumber=1568678&storeId=10165
I just bought 10 of these for servicing Opus Discoveries.