IRW Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 Hi All,I need to get the the underside of this circuit board to check the soldered connections, but I'm having trouble working out how to get the thing out- I think I need to get the metal shell of the XLR connector off in order to give myself the neccessary wiggle room- can anyone give me a clue as to how I might do this, as it seems pretty well attached on?? It's a Metro Audio pack. http://www.irwdesign.com/br/canspack.JPG Thanks, Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shez Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 Those PCB mounted XLRs have a latch inside to separate them. I don't recall whether it's a screw head or a hex but if you look inside where you would plug a connector in, you'll see the head. A quarter turn to the left should do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IRW Posted January 30, 2013 Author Share Posted January 30, 2013 Those PCB mounted XLRs have a latch inside to separate them. I don't recall whether it's a screw head or a hex but if you look inside where you would plug a connector in, you'll see the head. A quarter turn to the left should do it. Thanks Shez, the shell of the male connector pretty much fell out when I took out the main two fixing screws, I'll have a look for the screw you mention in the remaining one tomorrow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john deans Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 You can see the latch on top of the male XLR in the photograph! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IRW Posted January 31, 2013 Author Share Posted January 31, 2013 Gotcha, so I'm looking for something similar inside the other one? I'm in work this afternoon so I'll check it out then ! Thanks, Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Lewis Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 Gotcha, so I'm looking for something similar inside the other one? I'm in work this afternoon so I'll check it out then ! Although not strictly necessary, Neutrik make a special hardened tip screwdriver to turn the latch! http://www.canford.co.uk/images/itemimages/200/40-998_01.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IRW Posted February 12, 2013 Author Share Posted February 12, 2013 Hi All,Just to follow this up, I wanted to say thanks for everyone's input- I eventually got the shell off and got the circuit board out, although stil had to bend the metal front plate a little in order to do so! Turns out it was just dry/broken solder joints on the connector and the PTT switch, so after a little cleaning and resoldering later, I now have an extra in-service pack! Thanks, Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard P-W Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 When you put it all back together it's very important to make sure those latches in the XLR are locked correctly, otherwise each time you plug/unplug it will be moving the plastic insert. That's why the solder joints fail... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mixermend Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 Neutrik used to include a screwdriver in a box of 100 connectors, when they were originally made - but no longer do. Consequently I ended up with quite a few, but now only have one left - where do screwdrivers go? It is an essential tool for use with NC3MDH and similar PCB mounting XLRs - the tip of the screwdriver is only 2mm across, I have found that the use of a jewellers type driver doesn't work well and most common tools are just too big. The one shown by Simon above is the very item, Swiss made of Chrom-Vanadium - worth getting one from Canford or Neutrik, if you regularly dismantle these connectors. Just in case it wasn't made clear in previous posts - view the connector from the plug in contact side - you will see the slot for the screwdriver clearly on the male XLR and the female type has a hole. This rotates the latch to engage the contact insert with the metal shell. It is important to do this correctly for mechanical stability - and it also connects the pin grounding to the shell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 ...view the connector from the plug in contact side - you will see the slot for the screwdriver clearly on the male XLR and the female type has a hole.... As I had some on the bench... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david.elsbury Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 I've wondered for years what the extra hole was for on a female connector. Thanks for the enlightenment :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.