corrosion resistant connectors

[Mich]

For a little project, i'm need to connect a RS232 lead to a small box, which
is exposed to a harsh enviroment.
Most off the time, the connector will not be connected to the RS232 lead, so
the contacts will be exposed to the harsh environment.
Doesn't have to be a DB9 , another connector might do, coz its customized
anyway.
'Harsh' will be salt air, even the occasional salt water, heat upto to 70
celcius, to -25 celcius, and high humidity to extreme dry.

I'm afraid there is not really a connecotr up to this task. Maybe gold
plated, not sure though.
Expected lifespan about 2 to 3 years.

Any thoughts?


Mich

 

[Rich Grise]

On Thu, 19 May 2005 21:17:49 +0200, Mich wrote:

For a little project, i'm need to connect a RS232 lead to a small box, which
is exposed to a harsh enviroment.
Most off the time, the connector will not be connected to the RS232 lead, so
the contacts will be exposed to the harsh environment.
Doesn't have to be a DB9 , another connector might do, coz its customized
anyway.
'Harsh' will be salt air, even the occasional salt water, heat upto to 70
celcius, to -25 celcius, and high humidity to extreme dry.

I'm afraid there is not really a connecotr up to this task. Maybe gold
plated, not sure though.
Expected lifespan about 2 to 3 years.

Any thoughts?

Yes - when the connector doesn't have its cable connected, plug in
a dummy connector to keep it sealed. You could tether the dummy
connector so it just dangles when it's not connected. This is
done routinely in military stuff.

A "Caplug" might even work, if it's not subjected to a lot of physical
abuse.

Cheers!
Rich

 

[Pooh Bear]

Mich wrote:

For a little project, i'm need to connect a RS232 lead to a small box, which
is exposed to a harsh enviroment.
Most off the time, the connector will not be connected to the RS232 lead, so
the contacts will be exposed to the harsh environment.
Doesn't have to be a DB9 , another connector might do, coz its customized
anyway.
'Harsh' will be salt air, even the occasional salt water, heat upto to 70
celcius, to -25 celcius, and high humidity to extreme dry.

I'm afraid there is not really a connecotr up to this task. Maybe gold
plated, not sure though.
Expected lifespan about 2 to 3 years.

Any thoughts?

You'll need to 'cap' the connector when not in use.

It'll need to be water tight too. There are specialist connectors up to the task
but I've never heard of one in a DB9 style.

Graham

 

[Ken Smith]

In article <428ce660$0$64736$e4fe514c@news.xs4all.nl>,
Mich <michelpl.nocrap@xs4all.nl> wrote:

For a little project, i'm need to connect a RS232 lead to a small box, which
is exposed to a harsh enviroment.

You are sort of asking the imposible. If you combine sea water, metal
parts and voltage, you end up with ugly colored seawater and no more
metal. You need to keep the sea water off the live contacts.

There are round connectors that have a spring loaded cover that snaps
closed over them.

I think it may be a www.switchcraft.com product but their web site junk so
I couldn't check.

You can also try www.fischer.com


Go to www.seacon-usa.com and look at the "All-wet" ones. They can be
coated in DC-111 to keep the water out. You can get ones that are the
same but different from SubSea also.

If you can trust the customer, you can provide a cover on a chain. This
works for well military products but nowhere else. Your customer is Dr
Jeckle when he's talking to you and Mr Hyde when he get in the field.


--
--
kensmith@rahul.net forging knowledge

 

Mich <michelpl.nocrap@xs4all.nl> wrote:

For a little project, i'm need to connect a RS232 lead to a small box,
which is exposed to a harsh enviroment.

How about a Molex "Industrial Ethernet" connector. These are standard
8-conductor RJ45 plugs and jacks that come in a round housing with O-
rings and such to keep the elements out. The male connector holds down
the locking tab all the time and the locking is provided by the round
housing, like a big BNC. They also offer a matching cap to cover an
unused receptacle. They are US$20-$30 a pop, but if you only need one
set, they might work. Digi-Key part numbers WM17486-ND through
WM17490-ND .

If the RS232 lead does not also have to provide power, how about
pointing an IR LED and phototransistor through the side of the housing
(or looking through a clear window; the window might fog up, though), and
exchanging data that way. Electric meters that are designed to live
outside all their lives have this kind of interface.

Matt Roberds

 

[Pooh Bear]

Mich wrote:

For a little project, i'm need to connect a RS232 lead to a small box, which
is exposed to a harsh enviroment.
Most off the time, the connector will not be connected to the RS232 lead, so
the contacts will be exposed to the harsh environment.
Doesn't have to be a DB9 , another connector might do, coz its customized
anyway.
'Harsh' will be salt air, even the occasional salt water, heat upto to 70
celcius, to -25 celcius, and high humidity to extreme dry.

I'm afraid there is not really a connecotr up to this task. Maybe gold
plated, not sure though.
Expected lifespan about 2 to 3 years.

Any thoughts?

Ok - a different low-tech approach.

Each time you use the connector, smother it liberally with silicone grease after
use and fit one of these
http://www.fctgroup.com/Englisch/prod/filter/Abschirm.asp

Wipe the grease away when you need to re-connect.

Graham

 

[polleke]

harting amphenol and lots of others.
look at rs-components for long list
or if needed something special i can order them.
i work for a shipping company.