So far I have been using RCY connectors to connect some low power fans for a custom thingy (fursuit head, this will be relevant later (space limitations)). They have a fairly low power draw, so around 5v 0.1A.

This has worked for around a year, but as there is a lot of movement where I use it, the power leads have ripped right at the connector. It looks like this is caused by the lack of any strain relief as the connector is crimped and does not have the usual stress relief thingies, which are often seen at other stuff like psu cables, usb etc.

So I’m looking to upgrade / replace that with a different connector. I’m looking for one which has:

  • stress relief against bending
  • is twistable / unidirectional (so something more like a barrel jack / headphone jack)
  • is small / slim (I have very limited room that’s why I initially used RCY). The size is mostly limited in thickness, not length.
  • is able to carry the very low voltage and current of 5v 0.1-0.2A (so basically anything will do that)
  • available in germany (most likely most things should be)

Things I have already considered:

  • 5.5mm 2.5mm (/2.1mm) barrel type connector --> too thick sadly
  • trying to protect the RCY plug with stuff like shrink tubes --> doesn’t work, just slips off
  • thinner barrel type connectors --> can’t find a matching set of cable with plug and cable with receptacle

Rn my best bet seems to be 2.5mm headphone jacks. I do have the feeling that there might be something better out there, so that’s why I’m asking here.

Any help would be very appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Edit: Thanks for the suggestions so far, I forgot to add it to the list of the requirements that, the plug needs to be round, as one of the issues I had is that the 90° edges of the plug can get caught in the fabric. So I’m really looking for something round, so something without sharp hooks and release mechanisms.

  • lennyaa@pawb.socialOPEnglish
    1·
    3 days ago

    It barely prints PLA and from what I heard TPU has a bit more friction then PLA (please correct my if I’m wrong). As the frame of my anet a8 is very craptastic, because I basically got it gifted as it was broken and I needed to power glue some parts together as the crappy plastic frame was party broken. So the frame is weak and it’s also the bowden tube variant where the bowden tube heavily limits printing speed where even regular PLA printing speeds are very slow. If I up the speed from very slow even a tiny bit, then the motor feeding the bowden tube skips the filament. (Shortening the bowden tube any more isn’t possible as it’s already as short as possible) Mounting the filament motor directly to the extruder isn’t really possible as the frame is so weak that it will literally tear itself apart if any more force is put onto it.

    I know that printer is basically at the point of self disassembly and I will replace it soon, but not yet.

    (PS And yes I do monitor it when it prints very closely via a webcam in case it does start self disassembling) (PS PS. I did upgrade the firmware to merlin so it does have thermal runaway protection)

    • Blue_Morpho@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      1 day ago

      TPU needs less friction. It can be squished by the extruder so users frequently have to reduce tension to make it print.