Edge Connector Opinions?

FrizzleFried

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What is better, the solder eyelet edge connectors or the crimp on style? I will be rebuilding my Pole Position edge connectors... I'm stuck with crimp on regardless for the 15/30 but the 22/44 has both styles available.
 
What is better, the solder eyelet edge connectors or the crimp on style? I will be rebuilding my Pole Position edge connectors... I'm stuck with crimp on regardless for the 15/30 but the 22/44 has both styles available.

Crimp, IMHO

I replaced one for my tempest and i was able to cut a wire, strip it, crimp, insert pin into connector, repeat...

No need for a soldering iron... took about 20 minutes (only because it was cramped in there... :)
 
Molex with crimp on terminals. Molex was OEM on many classic machines. Make sure you have the proper crimping tool for the Molex terminals though (and know how to use it); that will allow you to complete the job with the same quality as the original factory job.

The common blue edge connectors with the solder tails are kind of cheesy. It is easy to break the tails off while wrestling with it trying to maneuver the wires in place for soldering (especially 18 AWG wires). Some arcade machines did come with solder tail edge connectors (Punch-Out for example), but it was a much better quality one than the common blue ones you buy today; with thicker, sturdier solder tails.

The easiest way to get OEM quality is to go with Molex.
 
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The problem with solder eyes is you have to heatshrink all the connections and if one breaks off the connector is junk.
 
What is better, the solder eyelet edge connectors or the crimp on style? I will be rebuilding my Pole Position edge connectors... I'm stuck with crimp on regardless for the 15/30 but the 22/44 has both styles available.

If you have the right crimper, the crimp connectors are better.
 
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