12v dual connector doesn't fit

[cozzie4d]

Hi all,

I found a nice 'lot' with 2 12v remote controlled switches. But when connecting them, I found that one of the 2 has something weird.

On both sides, so the remote and the 'switch box' I cannot plug dual connectors in, it's like the middle plastic pin is too long to fit in, causing the metal pins to not fully slide in. Any idea what might cause this? Perhaps different types of connectors. A simple solution would be to cut of 2mm of the center plastic pin of the connector, but ideally I don't want that. I also thought that maybe a pin broke off while connected (before I got the set), but it feels too much like a coincidence if this happened on both the remote as will as the switch box.

I also checked all my other cables/connectors, but none of them have a shorter plastic center pin. Of course single connectors would also work.

Any input is appreciated.

[JopieK]

Please share a picture otherwise it will be impossible to see what you mean?!

[Andy Glascott]

As JopieK said, a picture would help, but it does sound like it’s a mismatch between the plug on the unit and the wire. Over the years Lego made a vairiety of plugs, some with a center column, some without, and if I remember rightly the ones with a center column do have some where the column is longer than others but the corresponding hole isn’t always long enough for them all.

[cozzie4d]

Thanks for the quick replies. Also did some more searching, looks like also a variant of the dual connector exists, without center plastic pin. Maybe this switch came from a set where those cables were used.

I will also try to attach a photo.

apparently you can only upload 1x1 pixel images on the forum..

http://www.sierracosworth.nl/img/12v-connector-doesnt-fit.jpg

 

[JopieK]

Thanks! Yup you need to host pictures outside of EB.

Here you can see the opened versions:

 

[cozzie4d]

Thanks. Looks way to scary for me, better just slice of 2mm of 2 plastic center pins or find 2 connectors without them

[JopieK]

You could also maybe use a small drill (not using a machine but between your fingers), it was just to show you what it looks like internally.

[zephyr1934]

There were many different connectors of that era that spanned about 30 years. The newest versions with the center plastic pin could only be plugged into themselves, while the older versions could be plugged into either variety.

 

The latest version had the plastic pin:

earlier versions did not

Note that the gray era connectors had holes on the side to allow for side connections. I THINK most if not all of the connectors also allowed stacking end to end. Also note that you can plug all of the versions without the center peg into a connector with a center peg.

Of course some of the connectors only had one pin

 

There were also versions that were wider, I think to offer a distinction between 12v and 4.5v

 

 

[cozzie4d]

Oh wow, that’s super useful. Thanks 🙏