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05-23-2021, 12:39 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Registered: Jan 2012
Distribution: Slackware
Posts: 3,348
Rep: 
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Connectors for computer cabinet fans
I have a few tower systems where one can mount fans on the side panels. This leaves the leads hanging, and they could easily be damaged when the panels are removed.
I've been looking for some kind of connector that I could mount on the panels and inside the case itself, one that would provide a connection when the panel is put in place. Perhaps with spring loaded connectors, or leaf connectors for sliding panels.
I'm sure such things must exist, but the problem is I don't know the correct search terms. Any engineers out there?
Last edited by Ser Olmy; 05-24-2021 at 09:44 AM.
Reason: Slight clarification
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05-23-2021, 02:50 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Registered: Aug 2010
Location: Near Edinburgh, Scotland
Distribution: Cinnamon Mint 20.1 (Laptop) and 20.2 (Desktop)
Posts: 1,705
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Possibly something like these Aussel connectors? I'm thinking of them more like an in-line connector rather than one which disconnects when you slide the side panel off. Not something that you'd do very often so why over engineer it.
A similar solution would be Molex connectors, the ones which used to supply power to floppy disks and various pre SATA hard drives.
Just my
Play Bonny!

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05-23-2021, 04:37 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Registered: Jan 2012
Distribution: Slackware
Posts: 3,348
Original Poster
Rep: 
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Thanks for replying to this somewhat unusual thread.
Both the Aussel and Molex connectors require force to mate/unplug. The former even has a locking pin, which I would at the very least have to break off. The Molex has a tendency to jam, as the female pins aren't held particularly well in position, and even on the best of days you have to use considerable force.
I was looking for a simpler (near) zero-force solution, where I could bolt the connectors to the case and the panel respectively, and contact would occur whenever the panel was in the correct position.
Edit: Looks like "spring-loaded connectors" could be what I'm looking for. Mill-Max 858-22-004-10-011101 and 858-10-004-10-012000 (names that just roll off the tongue) look promising.
Last edited by Ser Olmy; 05-23-2021 at 09:16 PM.
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05-23-2021, 09:32 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Registered: Apr 2004
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
Distribution: Debian Stable
Posts: 2,546
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Maybe some sort of magnetic connectors would be good? That way, the alignment wouldn't need to be perfect and it would still snap itself in place/
For example:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33049945641.html
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05-24-2021, 03:56 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Registered: Aug 2016
Posts: 3,345
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Unless you are for some reason removing those side panels often I don't see a reason for the effort and expense of doing the connector change. Most of my machines get the side panel removed when I need to replace something which is essentially never (or when I rebuild it in the same case). Maybe once in 3 to 5 years.
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05-24-2021, 04:58 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Registered: Apr 2004
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
Distribution: Debian Stable
Posts: 2,546
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It's stylish and aesthetically pleasing. Isn't that good enough reason?
Also, speaking for myself - I don't like the risk of wires getting tangled up in the CPU fan or something like that. Long fan wires leading to a side panel fan can risk that, especially if the side panel isn't transparent (so I wouldn't see it after it's closed).
My personal solution is cheaper and dumber - I don't use side fans. I'll cover up the side opening and do all air intake from the front. It's an inelegant but effective solution to that problem.
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05-25-2021, 09:11 AM
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#7
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Moderator
Registered: Jan 2005
Location: Central Florida 20 minutes from Disney World
Distribution: SlackwareŽ
Posts: 13,971
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Member Response
Hi,
I have several towers with side vents for fans. I use the Molex connector method with plastic tie flat adhesive mount to keep the wires from moving. I just need to remove the screws for the side panel and slide about one inch then pick the panel. Then disconnect the Molex. This methods allows good cable routing to keep things neat and prevent wires from causing issue(s).
I only need to do this a few times when maintenance or upgrades are performed. I think this KISS method is one way to go. Why complicate things.
Hope this helps!

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05-25-2021, 10:32 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Registered: Jan 2012
Distribution: Slackware
Posts: 3,348
Original Poster
Rep: 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IsaacKuo
It's stylish and aesthetically pleasing. Isn't that good enough reason?
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You nailed it.
The magnetic connectors looked nice, and I actually found something very similar on eBay. The only downside is that the contact pads are not recessed in any way. A loose wire inside the case, for instance a power lead with one of those Molex power connectors that sometimes have the pins protruding ever so slightly from the plug, could easily make accidental contact with one of the pads.
The Mill-Max connector has basically the same issue, but they're designed in a way that makes it possible create a "shield" around the pads with a slight modification (a few pieces of plastic and some epoxy glue should do), and the plug would still mate without issue.
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05-25-2021, 01:24 PM
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#9
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LQ Guru
Registered: Jan 2006
Location: Ireland
Distribution: Slackware, Slarm64 & Android
Posts: 17,258
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In my days as a techie, I assembled and replaced a lot of connectors, a lot of them Molex ones.
Molex connectors are cheap, but they seem to have the unfortunate habit of pins moving during soldering. A handy way to stop the pins standing proud is to add a bit of solder to where the proud connector pin is soldered in, heat the joint, and press the proud bit of the pin down. It should move easily within 5 seconds with any sort of a decent iron (don't use a 15W one!). The plastic on the case is Low Melting Point. Putting it simply - they are junk. Unfortunately, they are sold.
You may have to remove the extra solder with a vacuum pump or flux. Repeat for every proud pin.
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05-25-2021, 06:59 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Registered: Aug 2016
Posts: 3,345
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Quote:
Originally Posted by onebuck
Hi,
I have several towers with side vents for fans. I use the Molex connector method with plastic tie flat adhesive mount to keep the wires from moving. I just need to remove the screws for the side panel and slide about one inch then pick the panel. Then disconnect the Molex.
I think this KISS method is one way to go. Why complicate things.
Hope this helps!

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I like your idea, and it reminds me of the easy to find and use adhesive backed connectors I used with wire ties or zip ties to keep cords neat when they were exposed at a desk. They can be found almost anywhere that sells computer or audio supplies and really do keep things neat if used properly. Inside a case that has the side vent fan this would be much easier than trying to mount one of the spring connectors and getting it positioned exactly right for when the cover is put on. Simply route the wires where you are certain they will not contact any other fan.
My newer cases are designed for massive air flow with fans on the front, back, and top, with more space for fans on the bottom so I don't have the side vents any more but I do remember them and the issue with the wires for that fan.
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05-27-2021, 08:54 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Registered: Aug 2010
Location: Near Edinburgh, Scotland
Distribution: Cinnamon Mint 20.1 (Laptop) and 20.2 (Desktop)
Posts: 1,705
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Never had any problems with Molex connectors. Crimp the two outer lugs on the end of the pin round the plastic cable sleeving with the stripped and tinned wire end sitting in the trough. Apply solder to the tinned wire and trough so the soldered joint will be inside the Molex housing when assembled. Ensure the locking tangs on the pins are slightly proud of the pins using a knife or scalpel blade before pushing the pins into the Molex housing to the locked position. (The pins can be removed if required by pushing the locking tang back into the pin then pulling the pin back out) That's the way I always did it.
Anyway... My
Play Bonny!

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05-30-2021, 01:13 PM
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#12
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LQ Newbie
Registered: May 2021
Posts: 1
Rep: 
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thank you for sharing with us, this is really good
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