St cartridge connector

[Ghostie]

So this may be a dumb question but are there any replacements for this that are still produced?
Or any way to make one yourself?
I know on the Exxos store there are the old pulled ones but I had an idea for a project and don't want to pull from a supply that is needed for repairs.

[exxos]

Sadly not. I went to great lengths to locate one a few years ago. In the end it just was not practical. I even contacted many companies in order to try and get some made but gave up in the end :(

viewtopic.php?p=29323#p29323

BEST Still sell new ones as far as I know. I think they was around $8 but likely still difficult to obtain.

I think I was considering buying some new connectors for the H4/H5 at one point but it did not happen in the end. cannot really remember why. Either just ended up to difficult or he did not want to sell them or did not have them etc

[Ghostie]

Hmm that one that almost fit do you have a link or a part number?
Might be something I can work with if not at least to steal pieces from and get some custom plastic printed.

[exxos]

Hmm that one that almost fit do you have a link or a part number?
Might be something I can work with if not at least to steal pieces from and get some custom plastic printed.

I don't remember after all these years though I believe it was a "samtec" connector.

[frank.lukas]

BEST has new ones to sell ...

[DoG]

There was a group buy on the German Atari forum this spring if I recall correctly. From BEST. He had both new and used.

I also recall that someone had an idea how to make/buy something new. But it all came down to price from BEST since the other solution also would cost a bit.

[Ghostie]

I think I found the one you'd found Exxos

https://www.samtec.com/products/mec2-20-02-l-th1-np-wt
Or
https://www.samtec.com/products/mec2-20-01-l-th1-np-wt
They had an option for a free sample so I'll see what comes of it. If not I'll get in touch with best ^-^

[czietz]

I once bought one of the Samtec ones. It is slightly too narrow. Depending on the cartridge it's either a very tight fit or the cartridge does not fit at all.

[exxos]

The problem was mostly they are not right angled. So it would be a pain to adapt them. Also they are about 2mm shorter on the accepted pcb width. Its possible the connector could crack with some cartridges. I did wonder about 3-D printing a large outer case and then just cutting the edges so it would accept a wider PCB. But it would still need some adapter for a right angle connection. Overall all the time and such which would go into it did not really seem worthwhile to me.

I would consider a bulk buy to best if someone could liaise with Bradley. I think there are a couple of people who have bought stuff from him in person but cannot remember who any more. I think part of the problem might have been he does not accept any payment methods which I can actually give him. I think he may only accept PayPal ? I have long since been banned and I refuse to use PayPal ever again!

AFAIK he was never keen on bulk selling items. Like he did not want anyone to profit from items that he was selling or something. To me would have been a easy sale for him to just sell items to one person. It would help the community because people could just buy stuff from my store rather than hitting the $50 minimum charge or whatever he has these days. I could of stocked and sold fair bit of his stuff myself being in the UK.I only really remember getting frustrated with him whenever I tried to deal with him in the past. I know I gave up in the end. Maybe he has mellowed a bit in recent years, I really don't know.

[Ghostie]

Hmm if it's just that little bit off I think going gently with a file could make them work, will test when mine arrives.

The no right angle will make things a bit complicated but I think I can figure something out.

Probably attempt to make a very simple small adapter board.