Connector Identifcation

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CaffeineFixx

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#173891 9-Jun-2015 21:38

Hi folks,

Was wondering if anyone can assist in identifying the white connector in the photo below.

(The photo also includes a [black] 3-pin molex fan connector for size/shape comparison.)

Thanks in advance

Dynamic

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#1320718 9-Jun-2015 21:45

The connector is a fairly generic low voltage connection... I would expect it to be used for a computer fan or similar with the 3rd lead allowing monitoring of the fan speed, bit it could be used for anything I would think.

“Don't believe anything you read on the net. Except this. Well, including this, I suppose.” Douglas Adams

CaffeineFixx

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#1320731 9-Jun-2015 21:58

Many thanks for your speedy reply Dynamic.

You're spot on with your reference to a fan.

I am actually wanting to swap out a fan that has the white connector and replace it with a fan that has the Molex connector.

Was trying to see if I could track down a 'converter' lead based on code/designation of the connector.

If not, I will need to revert to snip-n-solder, but would be a last resort.

If anyone has ideas of a reference or code for this style of connector that would be fantastic.

Dynamic

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#1320752 9-Jun-2015 22:39

The last chassis fan I bought from PBTech recently came with dual connectors - this white 3 pin motherboard connector and a basic 4 pin molex (think IDE hard drive power connector). The 4 pin molex connection of course just has the fan running at full speed all of the time. Here is a similar example: http://ptgmedia.pearsoncmg.com/images/art_upgrade08_03_02/elementLinks/Cooling1_Fig03.jpg

I don't remember seeing a fan with that slim black connector.

Hang on... I've just had a better look at the photo. The black connector looks like the more common motherboard fan connection, but it is normally in a white or reddish plastic in my experience like the one in the middle of this picture: http://cdn.overclock.net/5/57/5719042f_vbattach82061.jpeg . The white connector in your image is similar to the connector in the bottom left corner of my second linked image, but I don't remember seeing this used for a desktop computer fan. IIRC I've seen it used in laptops.

What sort of machine has this come from... anything unusual about it? The white connector in your image can be quite small, so I'm wondering whether your computer is a very small one.

Based on these musings I'll say I have never seen an adapter from one to the other of your connectors. You could go back to the computer manufacturer and see if an original fan with its original connection are not too expensive.

If you end up snipping and soldering, remember to put the heat-shrink on first!

“Don't believe anything you read on the net. Except this. Well, including this, I suppose.” Douglas Adams

richms

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#1320768 9-Jun-2015 23:05

Its a 3 pin JST connector. Commonly used on RC car and plane batteries as a ballance connector with a connection to each cell. You can get a 3 pin by finding a plug for a 2S battery pack.

Richard rich.ms

ubergeeknz

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#1320769 9-Jun-2015 23:07

You might be able to remove the pins from one housing and pop them into the other, they have little tabs which you can push in with a small screwdriver and then just pull the wire gently from the back of the plug.

lxsw20

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#1320772 9-Jun-2015 23:17

That's an old CD Rom audio connector cable.

Edit: Maybe not, the black connector is too thick and looks like a fan connector. Damn you F.lux for making things dark.

Dyson

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CaffeineFixx

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#1320835 10-Jun-2015 08:42

Thanks all for your replies.

Dynamic - Thanks for your descriptions and photos. They have certainly helped to clarify.

richms - On the money. As soon as you mentioned RC I went and pulled apart my son's RC helicopter. That's where I've seen it before!

ubergeeknz - Great idea, definitely worth a try.

lxsw20 - Thanks for your input - and apologies for the photo quality.

I'm thinking that finding an adaptor is not that likely so a 'manual' approach will probably be in order. If the pin swap technique doesn't come off, i'll get out the soldering iron.

Thanks again.

Mattmannz

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#1320927 10-Jun-2015 09:50

The small white connector actually looks like a floppy drive power connector.

1101

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#1320931 10-Jun-2015 10:01

richms: Its a 3 pin JST connector. Commonly used on RC car and plane batteries as a ballance connector with a connection to each cell. You can get a 3 pin by finding a plug for a 2S battery pack.

JST-XH

Yep, I thought it looked familiar. Try jaycar or a RC hobby shop . Maybee PBTech have a converter.
:-)

Its going to be easier to just get a fan with matching connector. They are pretty cheap.