How to connect/disconnect ribbon cable from an OLD FFC connector?

Question

Crate BFX15 Bass Amp

Nicholas Stemmler @ntstem13

Rep: 23

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Gepost: 27 sep. 2017

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How to connect/disconnect ribbon cable from an OLD FFC connector?

SOLVED

Edit 2: Second picture shows somewhat manipulated tabs pressed back into place, seeming to function well without needing to solder.

Edit: I've attached an image of the connector with the clip removed.

I've been troubleshooting my brother's old bass amp and decided to disconnect the DSP effects board to work on it easier.. That was a breeze; pressing down the individual locking tabs to open the outdated FFC connector. However, reconnecting seems impossible now. If anybody is familiar with old connector part numbers, it is stamped with "MXT52011"

It's an 8-pos connector using the old spring contacts. The amp is rather old and has been worked on in the past, as I'd noticed there were some tabs broken off of the connector, though this does not affect functionality. It's important to note that each contact opens separate from the rest; there is no single tab or flap to lock/unlock. There is a clip that slides over each side of the connector, though it plays no part in locking the FFC into place.

I'd greatly appreciate a quick response as this project has been frustrating me. I'm almost sure that I have the fault fixed, but I cannot test it fully without reconnecting the DSP effects board. If I can't find the solution I need, I'll probably end up having to replace the connector. /:

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oldturkey03 @oldturkey03

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Gepost: 27 sep. 2017

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@ntstem13 "tabs broken off of the connector, though this does not affect functionality", yes it does. Those tabs are what actually holds the wires in the connector to make contact. It may be difficult to match the connector to find a suitable replacement. I would solder the wires directly to the contacts of the broken connector. Or you can buy an inexpensive board like this one and harvest the connector from it. Looks like Crate used those connectors extensively.

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Thank you so much! I wouldn't have thought that those flimsy looking tabs would actually be so critical. I suppose it would be best to solder directly to the connector. How do those tabs operate though? I'm clearly unfamiliar and want to use the four that are still intact.

28 sep. 2017 door Nicholas Stemmler

With the connector complete you push the wires in and the tab clamps those wires. to release you push a needle/nail in the openings that correspond with the tabs and that will release the wires.

28 sep. 2017 door oldturkey03

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Thank you so much! I wouldn't have thought that those flimsy looking tabs would actually be so critical. I suppose it would be best to solder directly to the connector. How do those tabs operate though? I'm clearly unfamiliar and want to use the four that are still intact. — Nicholas Stemmler
With the connector complete you push the wires in and the tab clamps those wires. to release you push a needle/nail in the openings that correspond with the tabs and that will release the wires. — oldturkey03