J-Retro Installation

[rollo47]

Alright, so I'm by no means good with electronics. In fact, I'd go so far as to say I'm bad with electronics. I've enlisted the help of a friend to install my J-Retro preamp. Now, all was going to plan until it came time to connect the pickup leads to the terminals on the J-Retro. For anyone who has one, they'll know that the terminals are basically just 5mm(ish) long pins sticking out of the circuit board. My friend informed me that these would be much, much easier to connect using some kind of clip.

Now, I have a vague idea of what he means, but I'm not too keen on the idea of walking into an electronics shop and saying I'm looking for some clips to attach.... etc.

For those who know what I'm talking about, could you perhaps point me in the right direction, either by showing me exactly what I need (be it just a picture, or a website, or whatever), or just letting me know what to ask for so I don't look like more of a fool than I am

Thanks in advance.

EDIT:

I'm guessing he means something like this, but I'm not sure.

[Hambone]

Originally Posted by rollo47

Alright, so I'm by no means good with electronics. In fact, I'd go so far as to say I'm bad with electronics. I've enlisted the help of a friend to install my J-Retro preamp. Now, all was going to plan until it came time to connect the pickup leads to the terminals on the J-Retro. For anyone who has one, they'll know that the terminals are basically just 5mm(ish) long pins sticking out of the circuit board. My friend informed me that these would be much, much easier to connect using some kind of clip.

Now, I have a vague idea of what he means, but I'm not too keen on the idea of walking into an electronics shop and saying I'm looking for some clips to attach.... etc.

For those who know what I'm talking about, could you perhaps point me in the right direction, either by showing me exactly what I need (be it just a picture, or a website, or whatever), or just letting me know what to ask for so I don't look like more of a fool than I am

Thanks in advance.

Eh, close but it needs to be a 2 pin connector that is a little smaller than what you've illustrated.

Here's the solution. The connector you want is just like a bi-pin jumper used in computer connections but it's got wires on the other end. Sort of hard to find EXCEPT that every battery pack used in the handsets for cordless phones has these connectors. I've made it a point to collect these connectors w/wires from dead batteries. I've got half a dozen in reserve. So, where do you find these easily? Go to Radio Shack and ask if they have any batteries that they have changed out from customer phones - yep, they do that and they will have at least one in the trash behind the counter. Aside from friends that look out for me, that's where I get all of mine. Just take a pair of scissors and snip off the lead for attaching to your own circuit. Solder the wires and encase them in shrink tubing for a perfectly professional setup. Easy-peasy!

[rollo47]

Ah, great, exactly the type of answer I needed, thanks. Even if I can't find dead batteries, if I go to a big electronics store, they're sure to have them, and asking for a cordless phone battery connector is going to be much less confusing than asking for a connector for my bass guitar preamp

[Greenman]

Originally Posted by Hambone

Eh, close but it needs to be a 2 pin connector that is a little smaller than what you've illustrated.

Here's the solution. The connector you want is just like a bi-pin jumper used in computer connections but it's got wires on the other end. Sort of hard to find EXCEPT that every battery pack used in the handsets for cordless phones has these connectors. I've made it a point to collect these connectors w/wires from dead batteries. I've got half a dozen in reserve. So, where do you find these easily? Go to Radio Shack and ask if they have any batteries that they have changed out from customer phones - yep, they do that and they will have at least one in the trash behind the counter. Aside from friends that look out for me, that's where I get all of mine. Just take a pair of scissors and snip off the lead for attaching to your own circuit. Solder the wires and encase them in shrink tubing for a perfectly professional setup. Easy-peasy!

Slick tip Hambone. Is the spacing for those pins industry standard?

[m.oreilly]

Originally Posted by Greenman

...Is the spacing for those pins industry standard?

should be. i use old computer cable ends for this, though you can get these (mini molex) from computer parts etailers, or from many electronic parts suppliers online.