Internal Connectors ID

Black Hole

May contain traces of nut
I am trying – unsuccessfully – to identify the cable-to-board connectors used in the HDR-FOX. There are three of the same type: 3-pin for the fan, 4-pin for the front USB, and 12-pin for the front panel assembly. The connector from the PSU is similar but different.

CF1DC4D9-10A7-482F-B4AA-A30AF584E5F0.jpeg DDDE02D2-BE0B-4D56-AE70-5A01C3154CD2.jpeg 6FCCB4F3-CD15-4B45-ABEF-C22F9E114338.jpeg

It's 2.0mm pitch, fully shrouded with an external latch. The nearest match I have found is Molex Sherlock... but not quite. Similar JST connectors have an internal latch. Any ideas?
 
I remember having a look and thought they're similar to Yeonho 2mm Pitch Connectors (SCT2006 Series)

Also bottom of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JST_connector (external links)
which leads to https://www.jst-mfg.com/product/search_e.php?type=1&id=1&page=2
 
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Yes, those Yeonho do look similar... but very sparse on detail. At least Molex provide a 3D model on their website which can be examined from any angle. I don't fancy my chances getting any (Yeonho) though!

I examined and discounted the JST range.
 
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The SMH200 series look close, but if obtaining some were a possibility I would be concerned about the detail – what's the difference between these and the SCT2006 series identified above?

Matching connectors are clearly so difficult to obtain in small quantities it's not worth spending time on (might be different if I were offering an order of 100,000 units per month). I think I might get hold of a few Molex Sherlock and see if they can be bodged. Maybe use the contact pressings in a 3D-printed housing.
 
Matching connectors are clearly so difficult to obtain in small quantities it's not worth spending time on (might be different if I were offering an order of 100,000 units per month). I think I might get hold of a few Molex Sherlock and see if they can be bodged. Maybe use the contact pressings in a 3D-printed housing.
If you are trying to replace faulty ones, can you not get similar style, with exact pin spacing, pairs of M/F connectors and replace both parts?
 
That's not the idea. The aim is an easy-fit CPU fan kit (and any other handy mods) non-techies need no more than a screwdriver for (and I really don't like ScotchLocks!).
 
Yes, not a bad idea - the pin alignment looks closer than the Molex. I'm thinking it doesn't really need the latch either.

However, all these things have been hit by Covid supply issues. The 4-pin housing on RS is on back-order. I actually prefer to deal with Farnell; RS made it difficult for amateurs when they closed their Electrovalue arm. The parts are even longer lead on Farnell (I guess RS dates might slip too).

Even worse: in the shopping list I've been compiling on Farnell (building up to the magic £30 order), lots of the items I want for projects (which were in stock) are now on back-order! Dammit. I reckon I might do better on Mouser (UK office, orders dispatched from Texas).
 
In that case, if you don't need the latch try the JST PH range. It'll have similar alignment and will be available in many places like eBay or Amazon.
 
I'm thinking it doesn't really need the latch either.
I'd think the latches are really only needed for transport - mainly to get from the production line to the consumer's shelf without falling out.
Since these things will (presumably) just be sitting on shelves now, friction will probably be adequate.
 
I remember having a look and thought they're similar to Yeonho 2mm Pitch Connectors (SCT2006 Series)
....
I think that is the correct reference for the 3 pin plug for the fan, as there are some raised lettering on the plug - O YH.
As for the 4 way and 12 way plugs they seem to be of the same design, but on my unit the plugs have the raised lettering (near pin 2) CWB.
TJC2004 Bar Connector
https://www.cwb.com.cn/products/consumer-electronics/wire-board-connector/2-0mm/tjc2004/
https://www.cwb.com.cn/wp-content/uploads/PS3881TJC2004.pdf
YH SMH200-03
http://www.jkelec.co.kr/img/yeonho/SMH200-NN.pdf
http://www.yeonho.com/app/product/ca/SMW200-HNN.pdf
So either range should be fine, but they are both difficult to source.
 
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I couldn't see any markings! I must take a closer look (which means optical aid).
I only spotted it with good lighting. A magnifying glass helps. I couldn't capture an image eg macro setting with good lighting (using the mobile) - just blurry mess! Probably need to use a better quality camera.
 
I've spotted something on a Raspberry Pi product which looks very similar, they call it a Grove connector. Looking into it... definitely 2mm.
 
OK, so "Grove" seems to be a proprietary format for IoT modules from a company called Seeed https://wiki.seeedstudio.com/Grove_System/#grove-connector. The connector they have chosen for their format definitely looks like the 4-way connector on the HDR-FOX (note the external latch and the polarising channels):

1622560597025.png

...and various existing on-line discussions led me here: http://www.nstech.com.cn/en/products_1.asp?menuid=19&menuid2=38&id=14 (with the inevitable problem of actually getting any).

All is not lost, CPC Farnell stock the 4-pin variety specifically to support Grove: https://cpc.farnell.com/webapp/wcs/...logId=15002&langId=69&categoryId=700000170023
 
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I couldn't capture an image eg macro setting with good lighting (using the mobile) - just blurry mess!
A chap I met while out on a reluctant Covid exercise walk gave me a very good tip: take video, then review in stop-frame afterwards and screen-shot the clearest frame.

That's rather like what keen amateur (and professional) astronomers do now they have access to fast electronic imaging, to get rid of atmospheric blur (take a succession of short exposures, ditch the blurry ones, stack* the remainder).

* "Stacking" is an image averaging process, which improves the signal-to-noise ratio as an alternative to making a single long exposure.
 
Markings on the 3 pin fan connector plug.
Also I tried using a clone of JST PH range 3 pin plug.
Although the pitch is correct, the plug doesn't fit into the socket on the Humax motherboard.
I tried trimming the plug to fit (by removing the excess material that provide the keying/orientation to the socket). It looks like the JST PH spec is not suitable - it is probably 0.5mm too thick in certain places and I couldn't trim it further without the plug falling apart in my hands.
 

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