Re: Sorry, that part is discontinued

Thanks again, DoN, very much appreciated. Yep, these are identical to the older Bendix sealed, tri-lug, twis-lock types that were generally OD green and very high quality with solder cups and cable grips on the wiring side.

Apparently, Bendix was still making these military/aircraft grade connectors into the 90s, but they don't seem to be making them any more, at least under the Bendix name (or if they are, there don't seem to be any distributors of the Bendix ones).
There are ITT connectors of the same grade, and there is a fairly new manufacturer showing up in searches of mil/aero-grade connectors named Souriau (european aero grade manufacturer, I think).

I have not been able to locate a surplus seller (eBay or online) that has a decent presentation of their products as far as pictures or descriptions.

Newark, Digikey and possibly a couple of others will probably have to be my sources, since I don't know where to find a nearby aircraft junkyard or mil surplus dealer with lots of electrical stuff.

What you mentioned about the pin configuration inserts being keyed differently is another confusing issue to contemplate while ordering.

--
WB
..........
metalworking projects
www.kwagmire.com/metal_proj.html


"DoN. Nichols" <dnichols@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:slrngm3880.qus.dnichols@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
On 2009-01-04, Wild_Bill <wb_wildbill@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Thanks for the reply, Jim. The types of connectors I'm looking for are
military/aviation connectors that are currently in use today (not vintage or
obscure types), aluminum bodies and 6, 26, and 55 contacts for cable ends.

http://media.digikey.com/photos/Amphenol%20Photos/MS3116E-10-6S.jpg

O.K. Those look like the ones which were made by Bendix back in
the mid 1960s, when I worked on building simulators which used them to
connect to the standard instrumentation.

This connector version picture doesn't include the typical cable gripping
strain relief.

What this one shows, from the top right to the bottom left are:

1) Connector body -- probably with soldertail pins. I don't
think that this style was made with crimp-on pins.

2) 1/3 turn locking ring.

3) Rubber waterproofing wire guide, which seals back on each
wire's insulation when the back ring is tightened.

4) Nylon support sleeve for the rubber waterproofing. It is
pressed down by the step at the back, causing it to grip
all of the wires firmly.

5) Rear retaining ring -- which presses the nylon sleeve as
it is screwed into place.

What you *don't* include in the image is the alternate retaining
ring, which has a pair of rear-reaching brackets to support the pair of
clamps which grip the cable firmly -- and which is an option.

I don't neccessarily need environmentally sealed versions,

You won't be able to get ones with the same pin configuration
and locking ring configuration without the rubber seal, and if you did,
it would not accept the back ring and clamp properly.

but instead, some
connectors that would be suitable for bench testing or portable use (inside
a vehicle).
The confusing part for me is finding the correct connector body with the
correct contacts (sockets instead of pins), suitable for cable ends (not
panel mounted).

Usually found by converting M to F somewhere in the part number.
Part of the number is molded in the rubber of the end of the connector,
and perhaps in the back as well. Other parts specify whether they are
cable or panel mount connectors, and the keying, and the presence or
absence of cable clamp backs, etc.

The 6-pin versions are affordable at ~$20, but the larger ones can be more
than $50 each, and I'd like to find a source of a connector type that
doesn't need to meet fighter aircraft requirements.

Unfortunately, you won't find less expensive connectors which
will mate with the ones on the equipment. The whole thing is aircraft
grade, or not available.

I wouldn't want to replace the original connectors with more commonly
available types.. molex, BNC etc.

Understood. I'm afraid that you are stuck here -- unless you
luck into some cables with the connectors mounted. Since they are
soldertail pins, you can re-use the connectors.

Beware that there are typically several versions with the exact
same pin configuration -- except that it is rotated to key at a
different position.

At least if the Bendix connectors are also being made by
Amphenol, that means that there is a *little* competition to pull the
prices down a bit. :-)

Now -- if you only want to run it for experimental purposes, not
in service, you can get away with just the body, wires soldered to it,
and a lot of fighting to get it to mate or un-mate, especially if you
are up to 30-50 pins or so. :-)

Good luck,
DoN.

--
Email: <dnichols@xxxxxxxxxxx> | Voice (all times): (703) 938-4564
(too) near Washington D.C. | http://www.d-and-d.com/dnichols/DoN.html
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.

Relevant Pages

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