Searching for an easy to remove connector

[Moriambar]

Hello,
usually for my board-to-wire connections I use jst-xh or jst-ph.
While very handy and the easiest to crimp, I find them very difficult to remove once they're connected, sometimes requiring even tools to do so.

What I'd like to have is something easily crimpable with "standard tools" (I have one ratchet crimper which I hate and an awesome engineer PA-09 crimper), with the same pitch as jst-xh (2.5mm) or even ph (2.0mm) which could hold 22-24AWG and that can be easily removable (while not compromising the connection and not incurring the danger of accidental disconnection).

Is there anything affordable around? What do you recommend?
Thanks

[EPAIII]

I like using dual row pin headers on the PCBs and IDC, dual row connectors on ribbon cable.

https://www.google.com/search?q=pin+header&client=firefox-b-1-d&sxsrf=ALiCzsZAVfjDi9O0DgBY816-KK6DlaOK5g%3A1671256404812&ei=VFmdY9aHMbKmqtsPiKeaoAg&oq=pin+hea&gs_lcp=Cgxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAQARgAMgQIABBDMgQIABBDMgcIABCABBAKMgQIABBDMgUILhCABDIFCAAQkQIyCggAEIAEEIcCEBQyBwgAEIAEEAoyBwgAEIAEEAoyBwgAEIAEEAo6CggAEEcQ1gQQsAM6BAgjECc6EQguEIAEELEDEIMBEMcBENEDOgsIABCABBCxAxCDAToOCC4QgAQQsQMQxwEQ0QM6CggAELEDEIMBEEM6CwguEIAEEMcBEK8BOgUIABCABEoECEEYAEoECEYYAFCqE1i2K2DTPGgDcAF4AIABmAGIAesFkgEDMy40mAEAoAEByAEIwAEB&sclient=gws-wiz-serp

https://www.te.com/commerce/DocumentDelivery/DDEController?Action=srchrtrv&DocNm=114-40005&DocType=SS&DocLang=EN

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=IDC+header+connectors

The connectors are assembled on ribbon cable by simply squeezing them after inserting the ribbon cable. They are available in many different pin numbers in multiples of two. Dozens of connections can be made in a matter of seconds. This has saved many hours of boring construction time on projects. There are inexpensive tools made for them or any bench vise can be used.

The pin headers for the PCBs come in a great variety of configurations from just plain pins to shrouded and with locks. The plain pin versions are quite secure, even with moderate levels of vibration, but they can be easily removed by hand, with no tools. There are straight versions, which can be located anywhere on a circuit board and right angle versions for edge mounts. The pin headers are available both in solder and wire wrap versions (different pin length on the "foil" side of the board). I have used both types on different projects.

I have used the most popular sizes with the pins on a 0.1" square grid. They fit the holes in the most common perforated boards for prototype work. The two row header connectors for them use the very common, 0.05" pitch ribbon cable. But they are available in other pitches.

The ribbon cable can have every other conductor grounded for a poor man's shielded cable. This is easily done by grounding one of the two rows in the pin headers. Alternatively, heavier currents can be carried by using multiple positions. Another possibility is the other end of the ribbon cable can be terminated with a D sub-miniature connector, also of the ISD type. This can be useful for connecting to equipment that used that kind of connector. Of course, the ribbon cable can be fanned out and stripped for individual solder or terminal board connections.

And they are relatively inexpensive.  I keep an assortment in stock all the time.

[Moriambar]

I like using dual row pin headers on the PCBs and IDC, dual row connectors on ribbon cable.

https://www.google.com/search?q=pin+header&client=firefox-b-1-d&sxsrf=ALiCzsZAVfjDi9O0DgBY816-KK6DlaOK5g%3A1671256404812&ei=VFmdY9aHMbKmqtsPiKeaoAg&oq=pin+hea&gs_lcp=Cgxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAQARgAMgQIABBDMgQIABBDMgcIABCABBAKMgQIABBDMgUILhCABDIFCAAQkQIyCggAEIAEEIcCEBQyBwgAEIAEEAoyBwgAEIAEEAoyBwgAEIAEEAo6CggAEEcQ1gQQsAM6BAgjECc6EQguEIAEELEDEIMBEMcBENEDOgsIABCABBCxAxCDAToOCC4QgAQQsQMQxwEQ0QM6CggAELEDEIMBEEM6CwguEIAEEMcBEK8BOgUIABCABEoECEEYAEoECEYYAFCqE1i2K2DTPGgDcAF4AIABmAGIAesFkgEDMy40mAEAoAEByAEIwAEB&sclient=gws-wiz-serp

https://www.te.com/commerce/DocumentDelivery/DDEController?Action=srchrtrv&DocNm=114-40005&DocType=SS&DocLang=EN

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=IDC+header+connectors

The connectors are assembled on ribbon cable by simply squeezing them after inserting the ribbon cable. They are available in many different pin numbers in multiples of two. Dozens of connections can be made in a matter of seconds. This has saved many hours of boring construction time on projects. There are inexpensive tools made for them or any bench vise can be used.

The pin headers for the PCBs come in a great variety of configurations from just plain pins to shrouded and with locks. The plain pin versions are quite secure, even with moderate levels of vibration, but they can be easily removed by hand, with no tools. There are straight versions, which can be located anywhere on a circuit board and right angle versions for edge mounts. The pin headers are available both in solder and wire wrap versions (different pin length on the "foil" side of the board). I have used both types on different projects.

I have used the most popular sizes with the pins on a 0.1" square grid. They fit the holes in the most common perforated boards for prototype work. The two row header connectors for them use the very common, 0.05" pitch ribbon cable. But they are available in other pitches.

The ribbon cable can have every other conductor grounded for a poor man's shielded cable. This is easily done by grounding one of the two rows in the pin headers. Alternatively, heavier currents can be carried by using multiple positions. Another possibility is the other end of the ribbon cable can be terminated with a D sub-miniature connector, also of the ISD type. This can be useful for connecting to equipment that used that kind of connector. Of course, the ribbon cable can be fanned out and stripped for individual solder or terminal board connections.

And they are relatively inexpensive.  I keep an assortment in stock all the time.

thanks for our suggestion. The problem I have with ribbon cable is that they're good for the internals of a project, but not if I have to attach something else which is not on a breadboard (eg: a battery or power in general, etc). While it's a good alternative I think perhaps there's something else too?
cheers

[janoc]

Well, you didn't say what you want to use it for (signals? what speed? power?)

E.g. the Phoenix style terminal blocks are a good option to look into:

https://www.newark.com/phoenix-contact/mc-1-5-8-st-3-5/pluggable-terminal-block-8-position/dp/14J3298

These are screw terminals but you can quickly plug and unplug them without any tools. They exist in all sorts of sizes and variants. Pretty much standard on any industrial automation equipment (PLCs, etc.), robust too. They are bigger pitch (3.5mm), though. However, likely more suitable for AWG22-24 than your 2mm JST connector (I do wonder how you would even stuff such thick wire into that).

[Moriambar]

Well, you didn't say what you want to use it for (signals? what speed? power?)

E.g. the Phoenix style terminal blocks are a good option to look into:

https://www.newark.com/phoenix-contact/mc-1-5-8-st-3-5/pluggable-terminal-block-8-position/dp/14J3298

These are screw terminals but you can quickly plug and unplug them without any tools. They exist in all sorts of sizes and variants. Pretty much standard on any industrial automation equipment (PLCs, etc.), robust too. They are bigger pitch (3.5mm), though. However, likely more suitable for AWG22-24 than your 2mm JST connector (I do wonder how you would even stuff such thick wire into that).

thanks for the suggestion.
Mainly I'd like to use them for power/connecting batteries to a board. IDK what would be best: JST-XH is good and has no risk of exposing the connectors but oth when I have to change a battery (mainly during tests) or smth like it, it's a b*tch to disconnect. Screw terminals surely would be better

[tooki]

XH and PH are friction-locked connectors, where you have to overcome that friction to unplug. You may find a  latched connector easier: you squeeze on the latch to disengage it and then pull out. You’re probably familiar with the Mini-Fit Jr as an example. (Though it’s much bigger than you want.)

There are numerous small connectors with real latches. I like the 3mm pitch Molex Micro-Fit for power applications, but there are also smaller ones, like JST XA (2.5mm), JST PA (2.0mm), JST PNI (2.0mm)  TE/AMP Economy Power 2.5 (mm), TE/AMP Grace Inertia (2.5mm), TE/AMP High Performance Interconnect (2.0mm), Molex MicroClasp (2.0mm) and many more. There are even smaller ones, down to 1mm pitch, but crimping those is a pain in the butt.

Molex KK254 (and the countless clones thereof; 2.54mm) is another option, using a friction lock that is generally a bit easier to unplug than XH.

Go on Digi-Key and go into connectors > rectangular connectors > rectangular connector housings. You can filter by “fastening type” to find these things.

[Moriambar]

XH and PH are friction-locked connectors, where you have to overcome that friction to unplug. You may find a  latched connector easier: you squeeze on the latch to disengage it and then pull out. You’re probably familiar with the Mini-Fit Jr as an example. (Though it’s much bigger than you want.)

There are numerous small connectors with real latches. I like the 3mm pitch Molex Micro-Fit for power applications, but there are also smaller ones, like JST XA (2.5mm), JST PA (2.0mm), JST PNI (2.0mm)  TE/AMP Economy Power 2.5 (mm), TE/AMP Grace Inertia (2.5mm), TE/AMP High Performance Interconnect (2.0mm), Molex MicroClasp (2.0mm) and many more. There are even smaller ones, down to 1mm pitch, but crimping those is a pain in the butt.

Molex KK254 (and the countless clones thereof; 2.54mm) is another option, using a friction lock that is generally a bit easier to unplug than XH.

Go on Digi-Key and go into connectors > rectangular connectors > rectangular connector housings. You can filter by “fastening type” to find these things.

thanks

[Terry Bites]

Old style molex sans latch?

[tooki]

Old style molex sans latch?

Be a doll and provide a series name or part number or something, since “old style Molex” is completely meaningless (doubly so since the connector the PC world calls a “Molex” connector wasn’t even designed by Molex…).

[TC]

Molex Micro Fit is a great suggestion.

https://www.molex.com/molex/products/family/microfit_30

[EPAIII]

Well, if you are looking for a connector for power, then just search for "power connector". There are many, many of them available, probably thousands. And you seem to want something that can be crimped?

You know, the major suppliers, like Digi-Key, Mouser, etc. have web sites that are excellent for starting with a description like "power connector" and then drilling down on the various specs. until you arrive at what you want. You can choose one spec. at a time and see what choices remain at each stage of the search. You can even sort the lists by "price, lowest to highest".

Good luck!