Digital caliper connector leads?

[Cornish JackParticipant @cornishjack]

[Cornish JackParticipant @cornishjack]

G'day all

Does anyone know if these leads are available as spares and, if so, from whom? The leads are the ones which plug into the sockets on the 'top' of most digi-calipers with four built-in connector strips.

TIA

Rgds

Bill

[SkarvenParticipant @skarven]

Hi,

Littlemachineshop lists two types of cable to connect "inexpensive imported DRO scales to a display unit", one with Mini-DIN and one with RJ-11. I think these "inexpensive imported DRO scales" have the same interface as the calipers.

http://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=3483&category=132430212

It all depends on what you wants to connect it to

[Gray62Participant @gray62]

I've tried these leads and found that the connection is somewhat intermittent as the connectors do not have any positive method of retention and are not a tight fit in the receptacle.

In the end I dismantled the caliper and soldered direct to the PCB – not too bad a job with a steady hand, good eye and a fine soldering iron ( I only have the soldering Iron and still managed to do it LOL ).

I would suggest using screened cable as an extra assurance against interference and bond it to the machine only.

Also isolate the caliper from the machine as on the original types with the 1.5V battery, the metalwork of the caliper is connected to battery positive.

Graeme

[Cornish JackParticipant @cornishjack]

Thank you Skarven and CoalBurner.

The LMS item looks very much like what is needed but (Sod's Law!) the critical connector is the one at the top right of the photo and not clearly visible (to my rheumy old eyes!) Also problematical is that LMS are in the States,so not quite so accessible.

Graeme – I, similarly, have the soldering iron but not only lack the other two 'ingredients' but don't have the 'what connects to what' details!! The lead I have at the moment has been savaged in two places and continuity checks are a bit inconclusive.

Rgds

Bill

[Keith Wardill 1Participant @keithwardill1]

Hi, Bill,

This website may be some help:

http://www.shumatech.com/support/chinese_scales.htm

I had the same problem using these scales as part of a DRO system – Coalburner is correct when he says there is no positive location, so I soldered the connections in the end – pinouts are in the data on the website. Note that Mitutoyo scales have different connections to the commonly available 'chinese' scales, so check wht type you have.

[Les Jones 1Participant @lesjones1]

Hi Bill,

I agree with CoalBurner and wotsit regarding the reliability of these connectors. I bought some from Warco a few years ago but they no longer seem to list them. Also be aware that there are at least three different protocols used by these calipers so you neeed to be sure they are the correct type for the equipment you plan to connect them to.

Les.

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

I agree with what's been said – the connectors are c**p, so I soldered my leads in place.

ARC do some with mini-USB connectors instead but note they are NOT USB compatible.

Neil

[Gone AwayParticipant @goneaway]

Like all the other guys, I soldered direct to the pads. It's straightforward enough if you take your time and easier if you dismantle the device.

I differ slightly with Coalburner in that I ground the shield at the DRO only and isolate it from the machine, which works well for me. (In any event, you certainly wouldn't want to connect it to both). In which case, you shouldn't need to isolate the caliper/scale which may be problematic.

Edited By Sid Herbage on 04/05/2012 22:44:20

[Cornish JackParticipant @cornishjack]

Thank you, Wotsit, LJ1, Neil and Sid.

Looks like the soldering route is favourite … BIG magnifier and, maybe, some 'Scottish Milk' to steady the hand!! I've managed to find a site with the pin-outs for the cheapo versions so will proceed with caution!

Rgds

Bill

[Gone AwayParticipant @goneaway]

Jack/Bill, tin the four pads before you start and tin the stripped ends of the leads. Hold the lead resting on and aligned with the pad with one hand and use the other to apply the soldering iron.

No need to apply more solder, just "sweat" them together

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