I want to connect a 5k 3 pin potentiometer to a wire going to the mc-60 power supply running my wood lathe. Is there a connector made where you can connect the 3 pin POT by inserting the pins into the connector without soldering? If so where might I find one?
Thank you
Claude Callender

 

Pots come in various shapes and sizes. What is the pin spacing of your pot?

 

Pots come in various shapes and sizes. What is the pin spacing of your pot?

Here is a picture of one. You want measurements between each pin?

 

You want measurements between each pin?

Yes. Pin centre to pin centre.

 

Yes. Pin centre to pin centre.

It is 3/16 from center to center of the pins.

 

And pin width.

 

Are you sure it is not 5/32"? That is a standard pin spacing. How about soldering a model servo cable to it. They are 3-pin and have a conventional 0.1" spacing.

 

How about soldering....

Not what the TS wants.

 

Are you sure it is not 5/32"? That is a standard pin spacing. How about soldering a model servo cable to it. They are 3-pin and have a conventional 0.1" spacing.

That’s very possible. I was using a rule that didn’t measure that far down. Thank you for responding.

 

Not what the TS wants.

The TS apparently has a female connector and wants to find a pot that will directly fit the connector. I can understand not wanting to solder the pot to the connector or removing the connector and soldering to the wires. I suspect the chance of finding such a pot is relatively small; although, I have some pots that sort of fit 0.10" connectors (trimmers).

What I meant was that once TS knows what the pin spacing on the connector is and whether they are flat, square, or round, finding a header or male connector to fit the female connector is likely. Soldering that header to the pot directly or with short wires seems like a more likely solution.

 

The TS apparently has a female connector and wants to find a pot that will directly fit the connector. I can understand not wanting to solder the pot to the connector or removing the connector and soldering to the wires. I suspect the chance of finding such a pot is relatively small; although, I have some pots that sort of fit 0.10" connectors (trimmers).

What I meant was that once TS knows what the pin spacing on the connector is and whether they are flat, square, or round, finding a header or male connector to fit the female connector is likely. Soldering that header to the pot directly or with short wires seems like a more likely solution.

Could you provide the names of companies that sell those type connectors? Thank you

 

Sure, just tell us what type of connector you have. Here's a short, but incomplete list:

 

Sure, just tell us what type of connector you have. Here's a short, but incomplete list:

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That’s the point; I don’t have a connector, I have the potentiometer. I was looking for companies that sold connectors. Thank you for your help!

 

The pot in question is designed for solder connection and as such I don't think you'll find a connector specifically designed to fit.

 

The pot in question is designed for solder connection and as such I don't think you'll find a connector specifically designed to fit.

Thanks for replying. I figured it was meant to solder but I had one of these old connectors and the potentiometer ran the lathe perfectly. The only problem was it didn’t fit tightly and I would have to tape it good if I was to use it. Here are some pictures of the connector. No name or number on it.

 

That’s the point; I don’t have a connector, I have the potentiometer. I was looking for companies that sold connectors. Thank you for your help!

but I had one of these old connectors and the potentiometer ran the lathe perfectly. The only problem was it didn’t fit tightly and I would have to tape it good if I was to use it. Here are some pictures of the connector. No name or number on it.

Please, Do you want a pot that fits that connector or a connector that fits that pot?

You have said the pot measurements were 3/16 (0.1875"). Here is a list of all the similar connector dimensions in that list I posted:


Considering that dimension only, you will not find a connector that will fit that pot well. If such a thing existed, you would then have to match the pin widths, thicknesses, and mating length. Maybe tape is your best alternative.

However, your connector looks like it might be the common 0.156" or 0.157" pitch (about 5/32") and takes rectangular or square pins (your pictures are very blurry). For that type connector, there are many "header" styles available that can easily be soldered to your pot.

 

It occurred to me that a terminal block might work for a connector. There are screw types:

And screwless types:



Digikey has a pretty nice search engine for such things Here's a link to its screwless, 3-lead terminal blocks with your approximate spacing:
https://www.digikey.com/products/en...56&quantity=0&ColumnSort=0&page=1&pageSize=25