BearG1d ago
Charlie Balogh

Hardware question - does anyone know what is this connector?

I thought at first it's some sort of JST ZH or PH connector, but it isn't? As far as I can tell. The pin pitch is somewhere around 2.0mm. It's 8mm wide.

I want to do a reversible fan replacement on a Commodore CDTV, and don't want to cut the original wiring.

Edit: it's a Molex MicroBlade, thanks for the boosts and input everyone!

#hardware #electronics #diy #retrocomputing

Mar 24 at 6:16pmWeb
Show threadjamesb (MW1CGG)2d ago
@chainq
It looks like Molex Picoblade and I've wired up too many of those today.
Show threadCharlie Balogh2d ago

@jamesb Thanks, this info might have put me on the right trail.

However, I think it's not a PicoBlade - it has definitely a wider pitch than 1.25mm, but maybe it's a MicroBlade? That seems to have a 2.0mm pitch.

Show threadjamesb (MW1CGG)2d ago
@chainq
Yeah, the pitch did make me think twice about commenting. I'm not familiar with microblade but I've never seen those blade type contacts from any other manufacturer.
Show threadAndrew2d ago
@jamesb @chainq Picoblade is 1.25mm pitch
Show threadAndrew2d ago
@chainq Looks like Molex Microblade. Unfortunately they don’t make them anymore
Show threadCharlie Balogh2d ago
@cinebox Yes, thank you for the information or rather, confirmation, based on an earlier guess, I just came to this conclusion as well.
Show threadAndrew2d ago
@chainq You could desolder the header and put whatever 2mm connector you want in there, then replace the connector on the existing fan to match. It would be reversible, just not 100% original
Show threadCharlie Balogh2d ago

@cinebox I would rather not modify the PCB, until it's possible, but yes, that is an alternative.

@ktims pointed out that there's a Chinese clone/second source available as CJT A2004. Maybe I'll try to get one of those, before attacking the PCB with a soldering iron.

Show threadMichael K Johnson2d ago
@chainq Have you seen the connector identification tool at https://connectorbook.com/ where you can use things like pitch measurements to help narrow it down?
"The electronic connector book" - A book by Davide Andrea

Book about electronic connectors

Show threadwyatt2d ago
@chainq might it be in the service manual? Did you check already?
(not got a CDTV but sometimes I can find connector names in parts lists for other commodore stuff)
Show threadCharlie Balogh2d ago
@wyatt The Commodore part number comes from the service manual, so yes, I checked there, but that number only shows up in the CDTV service manual... 😅
Show threadwyatt2d ago
@chainq lots of commodore parts were made in korea and hong kong so i wonder if they sourced the connectors there
Show threadCharlie Balogh2d ago
@wyatt Meanwhile in other replies it got figured out that it's a Molex MicroBlade connector, but it's not made any more. There seems to be a Chinese clone/second source available though.
Show threadKeenan Tims2d ago
@chainq It does look like MicroBlade. If so, CJT A2004 series is a Chinese second-source/clone that should mate. Available at LCSC.
Show threadQuietRadioOperator1🍵☕📻🖥️2d ago
@chainq
https://www.tme.eu/en/details/mx-53014-0310/raster-signal-connectors-2-00mm/molex/53014-0310/
53014-0310 MOLEX - Connector: wire-board | socket; male; PIN: 3; MicroBlade; straight; MX-53014-0310 | Transfer Multisort Elektronik (WFS)

MOLEX 53014-0310 | Connector: wire-board; socket; male; PIN: 3; MicroBlade; straight - This product is available in Transfer Multisort Elektronik. Check out our wide range of products.

TME