Discontinued connector options

[Noth]

Hello,

I've designed an "MCI JH600 preamp" PCB which is supposed to fit on a Channelstrip.

Unfortunately, the connector used is unknown (at least to me !) so I'm trying to figure a way to replace those.
Currently, my PCB has holes with proper spacing and diameter and the best option I've found is to use steel nails as pins!
It works fine but well, it's not super clean and steel is clearly not made to be solded on a PCB.. (At least no-one will break my pins )
Pins characteristics are:
- Diameter : 1mm
- Length : 24mm

Does anyone has some suggestion on where to source a proper equivalent pin?
I though about cutting segments from a copper (maybe not rigit enough) rod or brass (not sure if it can be soldered as it).

Thanks for any advice!


Original connector:

 

[mrclunk]

What's the pin spacing?

 

[Rob Flinn]

Are they not just molex type headers with possibly a 3.96mm spacing ? The headers look the same as what is used in the 400 & 500 series boards. We have made many retrofit pcbs for MCI 400 & 500 which I believe use the same headers & have not had problems finding them. This sort of thing https://www.mouser.co.uk/ProductDetail/Molex/26-48-1241?qs=ZwgtpdmWYYTREqtIOhf7NA==

 

[Noth]

Pin spacing is about 3.6mm.
On my original PCB I was using 3.96 thinking that it could eventually be standard but sadly that was a bit too large

 

[Rob Flinn]

Is you measurement centre to centre or between pins ? Every MCI board I have worked on (probably around 10 boards although I admit not a 600 series) uses 3.96mm centre to centre. Your headers look exactly the same.

 

[Noth]

I just check on my PCB gerber, the spacing is actually (center to center) 3.8mm.
Since the difference to 3.96 is subtle, you're probably right!

I will test again with "standard" Molex connectors

Thanks for your help !

 

[Rob Flinn]

I just check on my PCB gerber, the spacing is actually (center to center) 3.8mm.
Since the difference to 3.96 is subtle, you're probably right!

As far as I am aware there has never been a header with 3.8mm spacing.

 

[Evertide]

As far as I am aware there has never been a header with 3.8mm spacing.

3.81 is an ( old ) standard

 

[Rob Flinn]

3.81 is an ( old ) standard

Yes, you are right & they are still available https://www.mouser.co.uk/ProductDetail/TE-Connectivity/87221-5?qs=SEEsu9p7Q/LIKVaUemoj7A==

 

[Steven Paris]

Whatever you do, spend the extra $$ and get the GOLD PIN version. The tin pinned Molexes are the bane of every MCI product ever made!!