Electronics > Repair

Need longer tip plugs

(1/7) > >>

Analog Kid:
Wasn't quite sure where to post this; I hate to clutter up the Test Equipment forum with such a picayune problem.

Tip plugs: probably the most mundane electronic parts imaginable. I need some to make new test leads for a multimeter. I have some plugs, but it turns out they're not long enough to reach into the meter's sockets.



Standard tip plug diameter is 0.08" (2mm). The plugs I have, and just about all the ones I was able to find online, are a little less than 1/2" (12mm) long. I need them at least about 3/4" (19mm). Any idea where to find them? And is there a name for the longer ones?

I couldn't find any at Digikey, which was surprising. Their parametric search unfortunately doesn't include plug length as one of the parameters. I looked at a bunch of datasheets there, and all the ones I found were all a bit less than 1/2" long.

Jameco was a similar bust, with the added annoyance that their search function is not only not parametric but gives all kinds of spurious results.

If worse comes to worst I can always make something out of a nail and a plastic sleeve, but it'd be nice to get the right thing.

J-R:
I've bumped into this eBay store a few times over the years; maybe they have some ideas: https://www.ebay.com/itm/232630799620

Analog Kid:
Thanks. That looks like a good resource for those who need complete probes, or something custom-made.

I'm just looking for the parts pieces here.

George Edmonds:
Hi

Older multi meters of say the 1970/1980 era manufactured in China or surrounding countries used the plugs that you are looking, but they were normally moulded on as part the entire probe assembly.

You may have some luck searching eBay for 2mm banana plugs as they are used as speaker connectors by the audio brigade.

G Edmonds 

Ian.M:
DIY is an option if you are somewhat handy with power hand tools and take inspiration from these:

Vintage split Wander plugs (3mm dia)
5/64" or 2mm phosphor bronze spit pins are available in lengths up to around 50mm or even longer.   To use as a plug, you need an externally threaded collar, bore 2mm, slotted to take the head of the split pin + an internally threaded plastic cover.  Some makes of inserts for repairing/reinforcing threaded holes in light alloys have the required exterior thread and slot, and the M2 size (or possibly M2.5) could simply be drilled out to 2mm plain bore.

The covers  are a little trickier, but plain cylindrical ones could be made from colored delrin rod, with no more tools than a drill press with vice and a split wooden jig to hold the rod - drill through axially to the wire diameter, drill part way to the split pin head width, then to the insert exterior thread minor diameter, for the depth of the insert.  Now you've got to tap them to the insert exterior thread.  If you cant readily obtain the tap, Delrin is soft enough that you could get away with loctiting one of the inserts on a bolt, then cutting flutes in it with a Dremel cutoff wheel, taking care to get a sharp leading edge, then use that as a tap.  For low voltage use, you could also consider 3D printed covers.

However that's a *LOT* of work to make a couple of plugs, and the parts and materials are difficult to obtain in small quantities so lets hope someone else can find you an 'off the shelf' supplier.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page

There was an error while thanking
Thanking...
Go to full version
Powered by SMFPacks Advanced Attachments Uploader Mod