Help with electronics problem!!!

[Serpico1985]

Mods, if this isn't in the right place please move it. Thanks

*****Electronically minded people please help me*****

I have a problem with an electronic entry pad for a safe. It takes two 9v batteries and I went to change the batteries out and ruined one of the 9v snap connectors. I bought a couple of packs of new 9v connectors and when I went to install them I found I was in over my head (which isn’t difficult because I know NOTHING about this electronic hardware stuff).

It looks like the 9v connectors have a little metal piece that is crimped onto the wire which is then inserted into a plastic housing unit where it snaps/locks in place. The unit is then inserted onto the circuit board (into another plastic receiver housing) which gives it power. I took some measurements of the plastic housing and it’s:

.175” tall
.300” long
.180” wide

I called the guy who works on safes for the shop I bought it from and he said he doesn’t work on the boards and would only replace the entire unit ($200+). This seems like it should be an easy fix if I had the right parts but I have no idea where to get the metal crimp pieces etc. I can reuse the plastic housing, at this point I think I only need the metal pieces. I've been to radio shack, numerous car stereo shops, electronic hardware stores and a computer repair shop and so far I've only got blank stares and them referring me to the other listed places I went.

Can anyone help me out here? I called the company who makes this digital entry pad (amsec) and left messages. However I’m 2 years past the one year warranty.



Connector broke off on battery:
http://i48.tinypic.com/28b67g7.jpg

Circut board:
http://i49.tinypic.com/34yza4i.jpg

More pictures, you can see the metal crimp piece I'm talking about:
http://i45.tinypic.com/2i77qt5.jpg

http://i46.tinypic.com/15foimr.jpg



I figure for you electronic guys this would be like someone asking "which end is the dangerous end" of the gun. If anyone can help I would be extremely grateful.

Thanks for your time.

[peterb]

Just cut the wires and splice the new battery connector onto the 2-pin connector. You can use a crimp splice, or solder & shrink tube.

edit: Whoops! didn't get that you had damaged both ends.

You may be able to go to Radio Shack and find female crimp connectors that'll fit snugly on those pins. You don't have to reuse the connector body because there's no mechanical load on that connection in normal use. Solder or crimp the new connectors on to the wires, cover with a bit of heat-shrink tubing, and slide them onto the pins.

You could try to find the exact replacements at one of the big electronics suppliers (Digi-Key, Mouser, Allied, etc.), but it'd be a bit of work.

Heck, I could throw a few random connectors in an envelope and send them to you.

The repair guy doesn't sound very helpful.

[SecondsCount]

Try Digi-Key or Jameco.

They are meant to be installed with a special crimping tool but I have carefully soldered them on.

[derekb]

I believe these are pretty standard JST connectors, available here, ready to solder to new 9v battery tabs (http://www.sparkfun.com/products/8670), for less than a dollar.

ETA:

These suckers are very easy to damage when removing them, you'll commonly see warnings to that effect on products that use them.

[MEH]

The key dimension is the distance between the connectors. Probably about 0.100". If you're like me and have lots of old computer boards, electronics junk in the basement look around for a compatible connector. Locally, you might get lucky at a computer store that does repairs. Take the part in that you want to find and they may be able to help. You may have to just get a connector with wires attached and then make a splice as mentioned above.

Digikey and Mouser are the two electronics online places that I order from but you have to know what you're looking for.

Alternately you could remove the post from the board and just solder the 9v clip wires direct to the board.

Just an FYI, companies don't support fixing boards anymore. Too time consuming. Much easier for them to replace whole boards.

[JAD]

Alternately you could remove the post from the board and just solder the 9v clip wires direct to the board.
-- This. Those connectors blow, and you'll work harder to get one assembled than to desolder and resolder.

[Serpico1985]

Thank you everyone for your responses. I think my first try will be derekb suggestion. I ordered a few of the JST connectors that, as best I can tell look just like the ones I have. Hopefully it will be as easy and splicing them onto the 9v snap connectors and plug it in. If that doesn’t work I have a plan of attack based on the other responses.

Thank you gentlemen!