Author Topic: high quality banana plugs / alligator clips / ect.  (Read 21926 times)

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Offline croylejeTopic starter

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high quality banana plugs / alligator clips / ect.
« on: September 15, 2012, 09:13:09 pm »
hi everyone

iam making up some new test leads and have been looking for some higher quality connectors [banana plugs, jacks, alligator] just wondering what everyones preference is on the topic.  i have been getting the Pomona there better then the junk from china but looking for something that feels a little more high end.  looking around on newark, mouser & digikey the names Abbatron HH Smith and Hirschmann show up and just by going by price seem to be the best does anyone know anything about there quality?  i just thought it would be nice to get some input before i spent the money so we will see what comes of it.

Thanks Jason
 

Offline FenderBender

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Re: high quality banana plugs / alligator clips / ect.
« Reply #1 on: September 15, 2012, 09:29:27 pm »
I also use Pomona for most things that require banana jacks.  They have several lines of jacks. I use the gold plated ones. Very nice. Bit pricey but very solid.

If you haven't looked at their other stuff, you might want to.
 

Offline nctnico

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Re: high quality banana plugs / alligator clips / ect.
« Reply #2 on: September 15, 2012, 09:38:49 pm »
I recently bought a bunch of Hirschmann 4mm test leads with stackable plugs and silicone cable. This stuff is very affordable. Good solid alligator clips are more difficult to find though.
There are small lies, big lies and then there is what is on the screen of your oscilloscope.
 

Offline JackOfVA

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Re: high quality banana plugs / alligator clips / ect.
« Reply #3 on: September 16, 2012, 09:45:21 pm »
For binding posts, the best quality I've seen are from Superior Electric. I particularly like the hex style.  Allied Electronics and Newark stock them, but neither Mouser nor DigiKey.  One line of Superior Electric binding posts are of the style used in late HP or current Agilent products; body of the binding post is gray with a colored ring for ID.

These are not cheap, but are high quality. The 30 amp rated ones are extremely expensive, but the smaller current versions are within reach if you want a nice looking and performing binding post.
 

Offline plesa

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Re: high quality banana plugs / alligator clips / ect.
« Reply #4 on: September 16, 2012, 11:02:33 pm »
I'm using http://www.caltestelectronics.com/ctitem/#!/91-jacks-banana-jacks/  for quite long time.

 

Offline david77

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Re: high quality banana plugs / alligator clips / ect.
« Reply #5 on: September 16, 2012, 11:13:37 pm »
I can recommend Hirschmann and Multi Contact. In my home lab I use  95% Hirschmann.
When it comes to shrouded banana plugs I prefer one of the cheaper stackable types made by MC.
 

Offline M. András

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Re: high quality banana plugs / alligator clips / ect.
« Reply #6 on: September 17, 2012, 08:24:19 am »
a few hirschmann stacklabe plugs will arrive tomorrow + a large alligator clip set i will post up some photos if this will help
 

Offline Amarbir[Lynx-India]

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Re: high quality banana plugs / alligator clips / ect.
« Reply #7 on: September 17, 2012, 09:04:44 am »
hi everyone

iam making up some new test leads and have been looking for some higher quality connectors [banana plugs, jacks, alligator] just wondering what everyones preference is on the topic.  i have been getting the Pomona there better then the junk from china but looking for something that feels a little more high end.  looking around on newark, mouser & digikey the names Abbatron HH Smith and Hirschmann show up and just by going by price seem to be the best does anyone know anything about there quality?  i just thought it would be nice to get some input before i spent the money so we will see what comes of it.

Thanks Jason

Well,
 i india we have www.mdrelectronics.com .Try This If They Cannot Ship Outside India i Can Try and Help
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Amarbir Singh Dhillon [ Lynx-India ] , Chandigarh [ India ] - > www.lynxdealerstore.com , www.lynx-india.com
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Offline Wartex

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Re: high quality banana plugs / alligator clips / ect.
« Reply #8 on: September 18, 2012, 12:23:03 am »
Can I just chime in here and say all the brands you listed, including Hirschmann belong to 2-3 conglomerates which buy most of their binding posts from the same chinese OEMs and can be had a for a fraction of the cost directly from China via ebay? Go to ebay and look for "binding posts" and you will see $10 brand binding posts sold for pennies. The only exception is Multi-Contact.
 

Offline M. András

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Re: high quality banana plugs / alligator clips / ect.
« Reply #9 on: September 18, 2012, 07:35:12 am »
haha made in austria or germany my ass :D
 

Offline robrenz

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Re: high quality banana plugs / alligator clips / ect.
« Reply #10 on: September 18, 2012, 11:24:46 am »
I like the design, quality and especialy the price of these.  I have made many leads up with these. from Circuit Specialists http://www.circuitspecialists.com/test-equipment-test-leads---cable-assemblies-stackable-banana-plugs

At $0.79 each I keep plenty around.


Very simple but effective construction.


Nice slim stacking style.


I have used liquid tape to seal the wire in and the latch area to look and feel more professional.
« Last Edit: April 24, 2015, 01:01:28 pm by robrenz »
 

Offline poodyp

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Re: high quality banana plugs / alligator clips / ect.
« Reply #11 on: September 18, 2012, 01:12:27 pm »
I have used liquid tape to seal the wire in and the latch area to look and feel more professional.

Very nice. With the prolific availability of silicone wire for the RC market on ebay you can make some very nice cables for only a few dollars.
 

Offline M. András

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Re: high quality banana plugs / alligator clips / ect.
« Reply #12 on: September 18, 2012, 01:13:56 pm »
i have shared feeling about these hirschmann plugs it has around 6-8mohm resistance with 1 meter not top quality speaker cable if you push them a bit harder in for the first time the little clip whichs holds the retainer in place feels like breaking but after a few plugging unplugging it will be good the crocodile clips are huge  and it seems like made from a better quality plastic then the safety plugs. what i didnt understand why did the farnell package 2 fork terminal in separate bubblewrap and the rest of the stuffs in simple bags :)
 

Offline robrenz

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Re: high quality banana plugs / alligator clips / ect.
« Reply #13 on: September 18, 2012, 01:38:11 pm »
Very nice. With the prolific availability of silicone wire for the RC market on ebay you can make some very nice cables for only a few dollars.

I use Pomona 10KV dc 18Ga silicone wire.  At $0.52 per foot for premium wire why skimp? It is also the perfect diameter for the Circuit Specialist jacks.
http://www.alliedelec.com/search/productdetail.aspx?SKU=70197117
http://www.alliedelec.com/search/productdetail.aspx?SKU=70197118
« Last Edit: April 24, 2015, 01:20:17 pm by robrenz »
 

Offline Amarbir[Lynx-India]

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Re: high quality banana plugs / alligator clips / ect.
« Reply #14 on: September 18, 2012, 01:56:47 pm »
Very nice. With the prolific availability of silicone wire for the RC market on ebay you can make some very nice cables for only a few dollars.

I use Pomona 10KV dc 18Ga silicone wire.  At $0.43 per foot for premium wire why skimp? It is also the perfect diameter for the Circuit Specialist jacks.
http://www.alliedelec.com/search/comparesearchresults.aspx

Sir ,
 Check the link you send us ?
Regards

Amarbir Singh Dhillon [ Lynx-India ] , Chandigarh [ India ] - > www.lynxdealerstore.com , www.lynx-india.com
Indian Distributor For  [ Autoelectric , Sofitech , IDEOfy ,Peak Electronic Design [UK ] , Anatek And Creatronica ]
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Offline robrenz

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Re: high quality banana plugs / alligator clips / ect.
« Reply #15 on: September 18, 2012, 02:20:21 pm »
Sir ,
 Check the link you send us ?

Edited the post with correct links.  I did check the original link and it works for me but I didn't realize it would not for anyone else, no cookies I guess  :-[

Offline TorqueRanger

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Re: high quality banana plugs / alligator clips / ect.
« Reply #16 on: November 19, 2012, 06:16:57 am »
1-Does anyone make test leads with the use of silicon wire or is it just cheaper to make your own ????
2- Does it matter if you use gold plated or not????
3-Has anyone ever use this style of banana plug pictured below ???

4-Is there a better alternative to regular alligator clips ???
 

Offline peter.mitchell

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Re: high quality banana plugs / alligator clips / ect.
« Reply #17 on: November 19, 2012, 08:01:10 am »
What are those plugs? is the split section to solder the wire into or is that the actual male end of the plug?
 

Offline T4P

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Re: high quality banana plugs / alligator clips / ect.
« Reply #18 on: November 19, 2012, 08:32:40 am »
1) Make my own? No way man.
2) Up to you, normal silver (i think?) plating tarnishes in humid weather
3) With a brand like nakamichi slapped onto the banana plug i'm sure it's a audiophile thing
 

Offline iloveelectronics

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Re: high quality banana plugs / alligator clips / ect.
« Reply #19 on: November 19, 2012, 10:25:35 am »
1-Does anyone make test leads with the use of silicon wire or is it just cheaper to make your own ????
4-Is there a better alternative to regular alligator clips ???

This might sound a bit spammy but if you pop over to MJLorton's forum I have posted some pictures of some silicone leads and test clips, etc. that I've been using/testing, as potential products I might stock up for sale at my eBay store. I do have some silicone wires and leads (with croc clips) for sale at the moment at the store too. I have actually been actively sourcing for silicone leads and related products so I might been adding more of this sort of stuff to my store soon.
My email address: franky @ 99centHobbies . com
My eBay store: http://stores.ebay.com/99centhobbies
 

Offline SeanB

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Re: high quality banana plugs / alligator clips / ect.
« Reply #20 on: November 19, 2012, 06:26:57 pm »
I just bough some cheap ones, nothing great, but they will do for now. Did buy some stackable connectors, and after nearly destroying one figured out how you actually get the wire in it. Next is to get some silicone wire from wherever i have stored it and make a set or two up.
 

Offline zaoka

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Re: high quality banana plugs / alligator clips / ect.
« Reply #21 on: November 20, 2012, 02:05:22 am »
Probe Master so far the best quality test leads I ever used.
 

Offline Monkeh

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Re: high quality banana plugs / alligator clips / ect.
« Reply #22 on: November 20, 2012, 02:11:35 am »
 

Offline SLJ

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Re: high quality banana plugs / alligator clips / ect.
« Reply #23 on: November 20, 2012, 04:37:52 am »
I have a mixture I've made and purchased over the years.  When I'm making my own I prefer Pomona parts.
But there is a company worth checking out that makes test leads here in the U.S.A.: http://www.usprobes.net/

Offline TorqueRanger

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Re: high quality banana plugs / alligator clips / ect.
« Reply #24 on: November 21, 2012, 12:14:55 am »
Found these
 


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