AMP/TYCO connectors

[MattF]

Anyone on here ever worked with the large AMP/TYCO CPC connectors?

[surfenstein]

oh yea,all the time NOT. whats one of them then fatt f.

[Apache]

Both of them make loads of different types of connectors. What ones are you on about?

[logey79]

is this to do with your freesat stuff/tv connectors?

[Predictable Bob]

If AMP is Amphenol then I used to ........

Military vehicles are stuffed full of them and rewiring can be a real PITA cos they're always buried in the most inaccessible places so you end up soldering upside down, in the dark, with something incredibly sharp sticking in your b0llocks !

What's the problem ?

PS
If AMP isn't Amphenol then the answer's no !

[MattF]

Both of them make loads of different types of connectors. What ones are you on about?

The CPC ones. Info below.

If AMP is Amphenol then I used to ........

Yup.

This page has the simplest pics for describing:

http://www.action-electronics.com/ampcpc.htm

I have a unit here with one of the 37 pin jobbies on it. On that page above, the unit labelled P has the cable clamp assembly labelled CC on the rear of it to clamp the cable. The question is, how the hell do they fit together? Are they snap fit, threaded, twistlock or what? I've spent ages looking at this thing and I'll be damned if I can figure out which method it uses. I don't want to risk applying too much pressure or anything and damaging it trying to find out how they lock together. All the spec sheets I can find for the connectors have the most poor quality images, which makes them totally unusable in regards to figuring it out.

Any and all advice much appreciated. Honestly, I've been beaten by a bl00dy connector assembly.

[Predictable Bob]

That looks very similar to the stuff I used to work on - if so the cable clamp assembly just screwed on HOWEVER the ones we used were all metal and that's plastic so there's no warranty with this info !

[Gamedawn]

I don't know whether you'll be able to get at this link, but if you can it's the Tyco data sheet for those connectors. http://docs-europe.electrocomponents...6b8002e370.pdf

[bowella]

If it's any help Matt, see if you can find an ERF dealer near you, they are used on those trucks, they are easy to see, if you open the front grille there are two or three positioned on the upper N/S.
You might be able to see how the cable clamps are fastened then, either that or maybe you know of an auto electrician that specialises in HGV electrics and pick their brains.
Just a thought, hope you have sucess.
Best regards, John.

[Apache]

As PB says, they do look superficially similar to the sort of thing you find on military vehicles / aircraft but as they are plastic, they might not work in the same way.

Are you trying to get a plug / socket assy apart, or trying to get in to a connector? The metal plg / skt bayonet fitting type sometimes bind if they've been in for a while, and can be a pig. I always found gentle use of a small pipe wrench would free them. Might work for plasic if you are gentlererer.

If you're just trying to get into a connector, there may be a screw on backshell. If you fit the connector into its mating half (which will secure it, assuming the mating half is in a panel!) you might be able to turn the backshell without the connector part spinning with it. Once you're in, the pins are a tw@t to get out without the correct tool which (if the same as the ones I'm used to) pushes in around the wire and unlocks the pin. You then withdraw the wire and tool as one.

Good luck!

[MattF]

Cheers chaps. I'll work on the screw together assumption. Didn't want to try unscrewing it and risk damaging it if they had some other devious method of preference.

Cheers for that link Roger. It appears to have downloaded okay. (Just installing Acrobat now so I can view it).

As PB says, they do look superficially similar to the sort of thing you find on military vehicles / aircraft but as they are plastic, they might not work in the same way.

Are you trying to get a plug / socket assy apart, or trying to get in to a connector? The metal plg / skt bayonet fitting type sometimes bind if they've been in for a while, and can be a pig. I always found gentle use of a small pipe wrench would free them. Might work for plasic if you are gentlererer.

If you're just trying to get into a connector, there may be a screw on backshell. If you fit the connector into its mating half (which will secure it, assuming the mating half is in a panel!) you might be able to turn the backshell without the connector part spinning with it. Once you're in, the pins are a tw@t to get out without the correct tool which (if the same as the ones I'm used to) pushes in around the wire and unlocks the pin. You then withdraw the wire and tool as one.

Good luck!

Trying to get into the flylead socket on some form of machinery controller. One of the pins has either pushed out of position or started breaking up. Can't tell which until I can get the connector apart, as they have shoved some silver paper down there to create a contact, (as a temporary measure), the last time they used it. Without access to the panel mounted part of the connection, (it's on a farm somewhere, and the thought of trudging through gawd knows what to get to the machine ain't on my list of favourites), is there a makeshift clamp method, or am I best off getting access to the panel plug to lock it inplace so I can unscrew the backshell/clamp?

I don't envy you lot having to have worked with them. There's no part of it that you can get a proper purchase on. It's like battling with a greased pig.

[BioHazard]

It's like battling with a greased pig.

Speaking from experience then

[MattF]

Speaking from experience then

I'm saying nowt.

[Predictable Bob]

Cheers chaps.

I don't envy you lot having to have worked with them. There's no part of it that you can get a proper purchase on. It's like battling with a greased pig.

And some people can't understand just WHY I prefer working as a consultant ........

[MattF]

And some people can't understand just WHY I prefer working as a consultant ........

Your choice has become crystal clear here.