USB, XLR & IEC brackets / plates

[JAMdisco]

Ok, it's help Justin time again (please :D )

I currently have a slanted mixer case enclosing a CM200USB mixer and a SDJ1 card reader (later is backup).

The case has a back panel wich removes with 2 clips and has a hole in the back to facilitate plugs & leads.

Currently I need to remove the back panel, scrabble around inside for the 2 plugs, 2 USB leads & 2 xlr leads (to the amps), slot them through the hole and clip the back on.

Basically I would like to 'hard-wire' the connectors by using the brackets that are available (struggling to find them though). I will cut/drill the flight case where I want to install them but can anyone help me source such items?

Shopping list:
2 x female usb ports
2 x 3 pin male XLR ports
2 x female IEC ports (or ideally a 2 into 1 female IEC port)

I'm ok at soldering so just the brackets will be fine.

I know Peter uses such items in his (most excellent) homemade cases but I don't know where from?

Any help would be greatly appreciated (as always) :D

[Corabar Steve]

Have a look in these threads

http://www.forum.mobilediscodirectory.co.uk/showthread.php?t=31503

http://www.forum.mobilediscodirectory.co.uk/showthread.php?t=32035

http://www.forum.mobilediscodirectory.co.uk/showthread.php?t=23874&highlight=powercon

http://www.forum.mobilediscodirectory.co.uk/showthread.php?t=29612&highlight=powercon

[Excalibur]

Right Justin, you've been furnished with some links to a spot of light reading in the "Case building can be fun " series by Steve and I . :D :D

First thing to say is look here. http://cpc.farnell.com/
All you seek is in here, but the search engine is absymal. Hence why I have a catalogue.

I'm sure you're using the plastic Gator type case, which may make things a touch harder. In an ideal world, you'd use something akin to:
http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?SKU=DP28778, but I reckon a handful of these http://cpc.farnell.com/unbranded/d0604k/xlr-mounting-plate/dp/EN81218 or these http://cpc.farnell.com/unbranded/83511-20/double-gang-2x-xlr-wall-plate/dp/AV08528?in_merch=Products http://cpc.farnell.com/unbranded/84511-20/double-gang-4-x-xlr-wall-plate/dp/AV08529?crosssellid=AV08529&crosssell=true&in_merch=true&

might be easier to fit to your case.

USB? These, they're A-B reversible, so with the right cables, you're rigged.
http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?SKU=CN09520

I'd recommend that you use Powercon connectors, as they also fit into the D sockets. All you need then is a couple of Powercon to IEC cables, and you're away.

If you get stuck, give me a bell.

[Corabar Steve]

Check Terralec for the connectors too

http://www.terralec.co.uk/cables_and_connectors/audio_connectors/169_0c.html

http://www.terralec.co.uk/search_results.asp

I agree with Peter about the powercons, I wish I'd used them from the start of my projects.

http://www.terralec.co.uk/cables_and_connectors/power_connectors/122_0c.html

[Excalibur]

Right, more piccies posted here, as a picture is worth a thousand words.

http://www.forum.mobilediscodirectory.co.uk/showthread.php?t=32035

[deltic]

Right Justin, you've been furnished with some links to a spot of light reading in the "Case building can be fun " series by Steve and I . :D :D

First thing to say is look here. http://cpc.farnell.com/
All you seek is in here, but the search engine is absymal. Hence why I have a catalogue.

I'm sure you're using the plastic Gator type case, which may make things a touch harder. In an ideal world, you'd use something akin to:
http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?SKU=DP28778, but I reckon a handful of these http://cpc.farnell.com/unbranded/d0604k/xlr-mounting-plate/dp/EN81218 or these http://cpc.farnell.com/unbranded/83511-20/double-gang-2x-xlr-wall-plate/dp/AV08528?in_merch=Products http://cpc.farnell.com/unbranded/84511-20/double-gang-4-x-xlr-wall-plate/dp/AV08529?crosssellid=AV08529&crosssell=true&in_merch=true&

might be easier to fit to your case.

USB? These, they're A-B reversible, so with the right cables, you're rigged.
http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?SKU=CN09520

I'd recommend that you use Powercon connectors, as they also fit into the D sockets. All you need then is a couple of Powercon to IEC cables, and you're away.

If you get stuck, give me a bell.



would have thought the abs / gator style case would have rack strip in the back as well as top and front.

[Excalibur]

would have thought the abs / gator style case would have rack strip in the back as well as top and front.

You should know, you sold him the :Censored:er! :p :D :D

[JAMdisco]

You shold know, you sold him the :Censored:er! :p :D :D

No he didn't, he just pointed me in the right direction :p :D
But yes, then do have rack strips in all 3 apertures.

Thanks for the links, I may give you a ring at some point when I've decided which path to go down...

I've learnt valuable lessons from your designs Peter, you must have had more 'marks' than a Ford Escort :p :D

I only really only have one shot at this otherwise I may end up with a rack case peppered with holes lol.
The blanking plates seem a good idea though. :)

[Jiggles]

Depending on what you all need on the panel I could make you what you want?

[Corabar Steve]

I only really only have one shot at this otherwise I may end up with a rack case peppered with holes lol. Are you putting them in the actual case itself then as opposed to in the rack?

EDIT: Having re-readthe first post, it apears that you want to surface mount these on the case lid? Am I right?

If so, get one of these http://www.terralec.co.uk/grilles_and_dishes/4_x_xlr-speakon_mounting_dish/27349_p.html for the USB & XLR connections & a http://www.terralec.co.uk/grilles_and_dishes/dish_for_2_x_neutrik_connectors/26560_p.html for your powercons (one of these if you only need one powr source going in http://www.terralec.co.uk/grilles_and_dishes/large_dish_punched_for_speakon/16370_p.html ).

& get the dust covers that I have on my rack in the first thread I linked to.

Otherwise, get a 6 hole D series 19" panel & blanking plates for the rest of the hole (as Peter has suggested below) Strongly recomended over the above approach. Not in the least because if you need to add or take away items of kit you can get a panel with more or less holes & you're no stuck with a hole in our case that you have to fill regardless of what you want in it.

[Excalibur]

Curse my failing memory, and please make allowances for an Old Man. :o :o

I misunderstood Justin's original post, re the two clips, and I'm sure his case is identical to mine in Pic 3. ( Mind you, I'm also sure Deltic sold it to Justin, cos I was there at the time. :D :D )

Justin, the range of panels I first linked to are what you need. Blanking plates also to fill the gap and stop you sticking your hand in the back in error. Also, the Gator cases tend to use M5 threads, rather than M6.

[JAMdisco]

It's similar to this case:

I was going to cut holes in the back or maybe the sides to facilitate the connectors so I don't have to remove the back panel.

Still need to think about this in more detail however the links you've all (kindly) provided have given me some food for thought.

Peter, It was the SDJ1 I bought off Deltic, not the case however he did show me one that he had which inspired me to go down the same route :D

[Corabar Steve]

The one thing I wouldn't do is just cut holes in the case to fit individual sockets. Either use the dishes I linked to to house them in groups (one dish one side for the signal sockets & one the other for the power) As these are recessed nothing will bang the sockets.

I'd say the best bet is as detailed in the last paragraph of my previous post.

Don't forget cutting holes in it is going to devalue the case should you wish to sell it at a later date.

[Excalibur]

It's similar to this case:

I was going to cut holes in the back or maybe the sides to facilitate the connectors so I don't have to remove the back panel.
Identical to mine then. I don't see why you wish to leave the back on. :confused:


Still need to think about this in more detail however the links you've all (kindly) provided have given me some food for thought.
Feel free to pop round to peruse mine if you wish.


Peter, It was the SDJ1 I bought off Deltic, not the case however he did show me one that he had which inspired me to go down the same route :D
OK, so I forget things. :o :o :o


The one thing I wouldn't do is just cut holes in the case to fit individual sockets. Either use the dishes I linked to to house them in groups (one dish one side for the signal sockets & one the other for the power) As these are recessed nothing will bang the sockets.

I'd say the best bet is as detailed in the last paragraph of my previous post.

Don't forget cutting holes in it is going to devalue the case should you wish to sell it at a later date.

I agree with Steve. I still reckon that using the rack panels wins hands down, as then the sockets are all hidden when the case is closed, thus lessening the chance of damaging them in Transit. Or Picasso. Or LDV. :coat:

[Corabar Steve]

Of course another thing to take into account, is the fact that cutting holes in an ABS case will weaken it somewhat.

[Excalibur]

Of course another thing to take into account, is the fact that cutting holes in an ABS case will weaken it somewhat.

Another strong argument for the rack panel argument. Also, if you insist on using IEC connectors, you only need one ( cos you stick a 4 way on the other side of it ) and it needs to be male, unless you intend to construct a "Widowmaker".

[Corabar Steve]

The more I think about this, the more I think you should go down patch panel & blanking plate route.

It's not as if it will take you longer than a couple of seconds more to remove the lid & plug into what you were planning to surface mount, than it would to plug into a surface mount socket.

It's still quicker than rummaging around inside the case.

[JAMdisco]

Identical to mine then. I don't see why you wish to leave the back on. :confused:

From a clients point of view it looks neater in my opinion :)


Feel free to pop round to peruse mine if you wish.

May just do that sometime soon :D


OK, so I forget things. :o :o :o

So it seems :p :p :p


I agree with Steve. I still reckon that using the rack panels wins hands down, as then the sockets are all hidden when the case is closed, thus lessening the chance of damaging them in Transit. Or Picasso. Or LDV. :coat:

Yep, I think this could be the winner :)