Steering Wheel Electrical Connector

[Adr]

I have been researching a connector to be used inside the spline of the steering wheel to get rid of the stupid curly cable that hangs off it, but have come up short. The problem being that connectors aren't made to be mounted on both sides. I was wondering what connectors other teams have used that have tried this approach. I know there are some teams that have just modified a normal chassis/cable mount connector and bonded one end in but our composites guys don't think that it will be secure enough.

Any help is much appreciated.

Cheers

Adrian

[Adr]

I have been researching a connector to be used inside the spline of the steering wheel to get rid of the stupid curly cable that hangs off it, but have come up short. The problem being that connectors aren't made to be mounted on both sides. I was wondering what connectors other teams have used that have tried this approach. I know there are some teams that have just modified a normal chassis/cable mount connector and bonded one end in but our composites guys don't think that it will be secure enough.

Any help is much appreciated.

Cheers

Adrian

[Buckingham]

http://www.pegasusautoracing.com/productdetails.asp?RecId=3139

Bring your wallet http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[ttk3]

You could make one from scratch. It's not too hard as long as you have a good idea of what you are trying to make. You will need pretty good machining knowledge to get it perfect, though. Someone made a 12 pin connector on our team and it took a few tries to get it right.

[Mike Flitcraft]

How many pins do you need?

Take a look at a GM turn signal cancel cam and a turn signal switch from a '89-'94 pickup. The switch runs the power for the horn. It has a spring loaded copper cup that pushes against the cancel cam, which is conductive on both sides.

If you need it for 1 or 2 it wouldn't be that bad to do. Anything more, have fun.

[Adr]

We actually run quite a lot of stuff off our wheel; shifter, warning lights, rpm and shift light, plus serial from ecu to lcd screen. We would need at least 12 pins.

Cheers

Adrian

[John Valerio]

Not that it will help you guys out but spa technique sells 8 pin quick disconnects. their new website is terrible, a phone call to them would definately be necessary, but i think i remember that they were cheaper than $415. i know a bunch of teams have used the spa one so maybe they can comment on the price.

[Jarrod]

http://www.lemo.com/index.jsp
not cheap, but plenty of options.

[Wizard]

You should get in contact with the ETS team. They did what you are talking about by modifying a Lemo connector.

Eric

[drivetrainUW-Platt]

Just use a spiraled cable (think old corded phone) and set your steering wheel on your side pod/nose/ hand it to someone for egrees.

[Adr]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by drivetrainUW-Platt:
Just use a spiraled cable (think old corded phone) and set your steering wheel on your side pod/nose/ hand it to someone for egrees. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yea thats what we do now, it will just be cooler without the cable. Thanks Jarrod I checked out the lemo site and found the perfect connector. They are actually not badly priced $60 and $50NZ for male and female. And they are sending me free samples.

Cheers

Adrian

[drivetrainUW-Platt]

now this is cool:

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b309/duwem/lions_tyres20004.jpg

Makes that thing that guy was showing off trying to sell at comp, look like a childs toy.

[Adr]

That is a pretty sweet wheel. What is the third paddle for? Electronic clutch?

Adrian