SDL Connectors, Uncoiling A Model M

[dw_junon]

Sorry to see the splice didn't work...

Shielded Data Link stuff isn't all discontinued, just that one product you found.  Click the "Shielded Data Link (SDL)" link on the catalogue page you posted and you can browse the various product families and everything...  The Tyco catalogue is quite a pain to say the least, you need to know the product inside out, including nomenclature, to get anywhere...  I'll try to work out what you'd need for making up a plug when I have enough time to go through it.

While they are still made, they aren't necessarily easy to get...  I looked through the paper RS catalogue today, hoping to find an SDL explanation but there were none listed.  The stuff is likely pricey, too - I tried to price up some AMP MODU connectors recently and IIRC the handful I wanted was something like $40.  So yeah, buying new ready made cables from Unicomp seems pretty sensible given the option is still there for now, and possibly not forever as they don't - to my knowledge - use them with current keyboard production.

[dw_junon]

Yeah, I was looking at that part.

Note this vital information in the comment section:

Plug assemblies for round cable need a top shield, bottom shield, boot, and ferrule.
Prefix no. designates key configuration. Suffix no. is a code for the number of conductors. Prefix & suffix nos. of plug assemblies must match those of the intended mating receptacle. Keys are molded in as an integral part of the plug & receptacle.

Based on the table on the Product Drawing sheet for the plug you linked, here is a part-by-part breakdown for general reference :)

Plug P/N 1-520424-2

This is the "smoke grey" polycarbonate body of the plug, including the locking levers and the contacts.  It has 6 contacts, or conductors.  Keying is type "A" (see photos below).  There are two series, but only 50 Series has the 6 conductor "A" keyed plug (most keying variants for 6 conductors are obsolete).


Top Shield, or shell P/N 520462-1

The top "metal bit".  These are marked AMP, and more modern ones have the UL Recognised Components and CSA marks.


Bottom Shield (shell) P/N 520463-1

Wait for it... the bottom metal bit.


Ferrule P/N 520435-1

The cable runs through it, and it helps hold the two shield parts together.


Boot P/N 520852-1

I think this is optional, but it does make it look tidier and protects the connector to an extent.

To try and relate this to the real thing, here are some pics.
Left to right, cables are from '85 P/N 1388706, '91 1391406, '93 1397681, and '98 1397003.  Note particularly that only the late cable has the boot.





So, where do actually you get the parts from?

I put the plug number into Octopart, which covers the main US component suppliers... not a lot of positive results, other than the previously mentioned OnlineComponents.com, who seem to have all the parts for about $13 per set, but with no stock on anything expect the plug, and a lead time of 8 weeks.

However...  Digikey don't know it, Newark have a minimum order of 1000, Farnell UK won't even let you do that.  RS have the plug for about £1.50, but don't carry any of the other parts.  OnlineComponents.com may well be the best bet.

This is where I ask for other suggestions for other potential suppliers, but any readers have fallen asleep.  :)

For assembling the connector, check the "Application Specifications" sheet.  Hey, there's a hand tool available; OnlineComponents.com can get it, but it costs over $1000.  For private applications, I'm thinking this is a luxury option.  Improvisation may be called for...

[dw_junon]

I did think about trying to "open" one; it didn't take long to decide not to.

To me, OnlineComponents looked better than many places that claim to offer nearly any part; they actually quote prices and lead times, and will ship over here (though if I had to wire payment that would be another matter...), but I haven't had any dealings with them.  Of course, there's the fascinating world of surplus electronics, but rounding up all the bits might be a nightmare...

The cable with boot might be a late Greenock quirk, now that you make me think about it I don't remember seeing another.

In any case, I think Unicomp wins with their new $7.25 cables... but they're coiled.  Maybe if you bought them the tool they would make you a straight cable.

[dw_junon]

Interesting that that site is reselling them... maybe he has a business plan that doesn't involve a twenty year wait?

Yeah, I suspected Unicomp isn't making them.  But if we could just get a big enough group order... except not really.

[pfink]

If anyone sees a M4 with a straight cable let me know.  I'll probably buy the damn thing and just save the cable.

I'm also on the lookout for a straight black SDL->PS/2 cable, however they seem to be rare as hens teeth so in the meantime I came up with a workable substitute.

I ended up sacrificing one of my coiled cables. I clipped the straight segments from either end and stripped off the outer cover and the inner wire insulation from both segments. Some wire twisting and a bit of electrical tape later I had a short straight SDL->PS/2 cable, which I coated with black Plasti Dip spray. I mated this with black PS/2 extension cable and voila! I hid the ugly section where the joint was covered with electrical tape by taping it to the back of the keyboard.

Unfortunately my wife is out of town with the camera until Sunday so I can't post any pics until then.

I'm also toying with the idea of desoldering the SDL jack on the PCB and replacing it with either an RJ11 or RJ45 jack, which would make it a whole lot easier to construct replacement removable cables.

[pfink]

I'm also on the lookout for a straight black SDL->PS/2 cable, however they seem to be rare as hens teeth so in the meantime I came up with a workable substitute.

I ended up sacrificing one of my coiled cables. I clipped the straight segments from either end and stripped off the outer cover and the inner wire insulation from both segments. Some wire twisting and a bit of electrical tape later I had a short straight SDL->PS/2 cable, which I coated with black Plasti Dip spray. I mated this with black PS/2 extension cable and voila! I hid the ugly section where the joint was covered with electrical tape by taping it to the back of the keyboard.

Unfortunately my wife is out of town with the camera until Sunday so I can't post any pics until then.

OK, here's a pic of the underside of the board:

I ditched the tape and re-attached it to the underside of the keyboard with zip ties. Not the most elegant solution but I always keep the risers up so this isn't a big problem for me.

Here's how it looks on the desk:

I guess you can't really see the cable in this pic, although that's kinda the point of this mod...

[pfink]

I really really like my black straight SDL cable.   Don't feel like I'm using a Ma Bell telephone anymore.

A complete AMP SDL crimping tool kit went for $10.48 on eBay a couple weeks ago:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300331434802&ssPageName=STRK:MEDWX:IT

Wish I'd have won that and found a supply of 6 pin connectors, I could've cornered the straight SDL cable market...

[microsoft windows]

Personally, I'd rather have the springy keyboard cable than go through all this trouble. Why not just cover up the curly part so it doesn't get stuck in things?