Small miniature connector for inline wire connection

[akis]

I am looking for a small connector to connect / disconnect a 3 lead wire. The connector will be inline and ideally it will not be bulky or fat. There are 3 wires in one lead. One of the three carries more current, about 0.5A, the other two carry negligible current. The connectors will be used once a day.

[akis]

No ideas at all?

[Asad]

What are your size constraints and budget? Sealing requirements and environmental constraints?

Push-pull? Bayonet? Threaded?

[mikeselectricstuff]

Define small, bulky, fat.

[Asad]

Offhand, consider the 711 (IP40) and 712 (IP67) M9 series from Binder.

Alternatively, look through circular connector options on distributors like Digikey.

[SteigsdB]

No ideas at all?

[akis]

Ideally I am looking for a connector with 3 pins, or 3 separate connectors, that would be as small as the wires they are connecting.

Imagine for example a combination of
http://uk.farnell.com/molex/22-29-2031/header-tht-vertical-2-54mm-3way/dp/1360131

and

http://uk.farnell.com/molex/10-11-2033/connector-rcpt-3pos-1row-2-54mm/dp/2396204

But these are made for connecting wires to boards.

However they are small enough. I was imagining something like a pin that would attach to each wire and on the other side a receptacle with "sockets" for these pins, so the whole assembly would not be much larger than the wires themselves.

[ajb]

Ideally I am looking for a connector with 3 pins, or 3 separate connectors, that would be as small as the wires they are connecting.

Imagine for example a combination of
http://uk.farnell.com/molex/22-29-2031/header-tht-vertical-2-54mm-3way/dp/1360131

and

http://uk.farnell.com/molex/10-11-2033/connector-rcpt-3pos-1row-2-54mm/dp/2396204

But these are made for connecting wires to boards.

However they are small enough. I was imagining something like a pin that would attach to each wire and on the other side a receptacle with "sockets" for these pins, so the whole assembly would not be much larger than the wires themselves.

Someone makes wire mount KK-compatible male connectors.  No idea who makes them, but I've seen them on adapter wires for PC fans. 

If you really need the connector to be the same dimensions as the cable, then what size is the cable?  Also it will be hard to provide adequate strain relief without a part of the connector (or even a layer of heatshrink) extending out over the outer jacket.  I don't think it's reasonable to expect there to not be any additional width, unless you want to consider some sort of custom molded-into-the-jacket kind of thing.

[SteigsdB]

A TA3F/M connector might be closer to what you're looking for.  Smaller, locking and has built in strain relief.

Often used with 22-26 gauge mic cable.



LEMO is another option, though they can be a bit of a bear to assemble if you've never worked with them.

[akis]

I think I have found almost what I want.

1) this is the socket (female terminals) : http://uk.farnell.com/molex/50-57-9003/connector-housing-receptacle-3pos/dp/1718881
2) this is the usual pins it attaches to: http://uk.farnell.com/molex/22-28-4032/board-board-connector-header-3way/dp/1813139?MER=en-me-pd-r2-acce-con

Now I can make a plug-socket out of this, the problem will be the "header" with exposed wires - but I can solder the wires on and use heatshrink to insulate and make more sturdy. Not perfect. Of course if MOLEX sold a "male socket" that would be the ideal solution.

But here we have something quite similar with also solves the problem :

This picture shows male and female sockets http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RC-30cm-300mm-Servo-Extension-Lead-Wire-Hitec-Connector-Plug-male-female-gold-/201116691491?pt=UK_ToysGames_RadioControlled_JN&hash=item2ed37d2c23

And here is what it looks like without the leads soldered on:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-or-10-Pairs-Sets-Servo-Connectors-Terminals-JR-Spektrum-Etc-Gold-Plated-/291227116842?pt=UK_ToysGames_RadioControlled_JN&var=&hash=item43ce7d252a

So I am quite close. I can use the ebay stuff, or I can search Farnell for the equivalent "male socket 2.54 mm"

[rdl]

You can get male pins for Molex SL connectors. I've used them before. They're just made of folded metal, so not terribly sturdy though.


edit: Sorry, I meant to include the part numbers but forgot.

Molex SL male crimp terminals,  part no. 16-02-0114
Molex SL female crimp terminals, part no. 16-02-0102
Molex SL crimp housings, 4 circuit, single row, non-polarized, part no. 50-57-9004

I believe these are the correct numbers for the items in the attached photo.

[akis]

Thanks it took ages browsing the Molex website, but I think I have got what I need.