Pin Splitters & Lamp Checkers

[Charc]

I thought I'd roll both my questions into one new thread. (With the new wiki, I wont' need to post.) First question, if I have two connectors that never stay connected, is the problem that I need to spread my pins, so they will apply outward pressure and hold the connection better? If not, how can I resolve my issue, and what is he point of a pin splitter? As a follow up to question one, couldn't you just bend the pins back manually? Or is that too inaccurate?

Second question continuity (lamp) checkers. Are they any good? Are they worth the investment? Are they right 100% of the time? Explain this to me real quick, this is an led and some batteries, if the continuity is good, the power will flow through the lamp (not get used by the lamp) and back to the checker, to complete the circuit, and illuminate the 3 or so volt LED? How long do the batteries last?

Thanks guys,

[Sean]

Originally Posted by charcoaldabs

I thought I'd roll both my questions into one new thread. (With the new wiki, I wont' need to post.) First question, if I have two connectors that never stay connected, is the problem that I need to spread my pins, so they will apply outward pressure and hold the connection better? If not, how can I resolve my issue, and what is he point of a pin splitter? As a follow up to question one, couldn't you just bend the pins back manually? Or is that too inaccurate?

It's likely that's your problem. By spreading the pins just a bit you should get them to stay. You don't need a pin splitter to do this--you can just use a small pocket knife blade. Just remember: Don't over do it. And, when the blade is between the two halfs of the pin, DON'T rock it side-to-side. You'll end up with "V" shaped pins. Instead turn it clockwise/counterclockwise just a bit.
By the way, a tab of gaff tape (NOT WRAPPED) across the connection will help you a lot too. It's standard practice in many venues to put a tab of tape across all connections (with a corner folded back to make removal easier).

Originally Posted by charcoaldabs

Second question continuity (lamp) checkers. Are they any good? Are they worth the investment? Are they right 100% of the time? Explain this to me real quick, this is an led and some batteries, if the continuity is good, the power will flow through the lamp (not get used by the lamp) and back to the checker, to complete the circuit, and illuminate the 3 or so volt LED? How long do the batteries last?
Thanks guys,

As an investment I'd say start with a small multi-meter. They're MUCH more useful. And yes, the way a continuity tester works is a good lamp will complete the circuit and light the led or make the buzzer buzz. The lamp doesn't light because of it's size. 3 volts at very low amperage won't make a line voltage lamp light. A multi-meter can be set to test continuity. The batteries in either a meter or one of the purpose-built lamp testers will last quite a while (depending on use, of course).

Save your money right now. Get the meter and learn how to use it. It will be of MUCH greater use to you.

--Sean

[Charc]

Originally Posted by Sean

It's likely that's your problem. By spreading the pins just a bit you should get them to stay. You don't need a pin splitter to do this--you can just use a small pocket knife blade. Just remember: Don't over do it. And, when the blade is between the two halfs of the pin, DON'T rock it side-to-side. You'll end up with "V" shaped pins. Instead turn it clockwise/counterclockwise just a bit.
By the way, a tab of gaff tape (NOT WRAPPED) across the connection will help you a lot too. It's standard practice in many venues to put a tab of tape across all connections (with a corner folded back to make removal easier).
As an investment I'd say start with a small multi-meter. They're MUCH more useful. And yes, the way a continuity tester works is a good lamp will complete the circuit and light the led or make the buzzer buzz. The lamp doesn't light because of it's size. 3 volts at very low amperage won't make a line voltage lamp light. A multi-meter can be set to test continuity. The batteries in either a meter or one of the purpose-built lamp testers will last quite a while (depending on use, of course).
Save your money right now. Get the meter and learn how to use it. It will be of MUCH greater use to you.
--Sean

Thanks for all the help Sean.
About the tabs of gaff on connections, we do that if we think there is a good chance it's gonna get pulled. Maybe 10% of the time. We also have a couple of locking SPC. When you say clockwise, I am going to assume you are looking at the pins, parallel to the split?

I really can't see much use for a multi meter right now. What else would I meter? And isn't it a hassle to use those chopstick like things when you could take under a second to plug in an SPC continuity checker? Just curious what other uses in theatre there are for multimeters.

[wolf825]

To add a bit on the pin splitting...as Sean said do NOT overdo it.. This is a careful practice..and if you use a knife (which you will damage in doing this) be VERY careful while you are tryin to get it between the pins or the knife can get away from you--seen it cut up many a tech who slipped..knives are dangerous so I just want to point out the safety factor here. Wearing a good heavy leather glove in the other hand holding the plug is a saving grace you will be glad that you did should you slip. Other items you can use is a small (almost jewlers small) old throw-away flat head screw driver (but it will most likely snap if you overdo it)....I've also seen folks use old spade putty knives/spatulas as well..and others have made their own splitter by taking an old flat head screw driver to a grinder wheel. The larger gap is at the bottom of the pin--if you can wedge your splitter at the bottom of the pin, and slide it upwards to the top in the groove, you usually do just enough to make a firm contact and a decent split sometimes. It would be best if you can determine which one of the pins is loose--sometimes one side is very loose and the other side is just right--and if so you don't want to split the side that is already a good connection or you will have a dificult time on that side when connecting/disconnecting.... Either way you want to make sure that ALL the pins are making good solid contact and not just one--so make sure you do or check them all and ensure a solid connection--stage pin connectors are friction connectors--you want to ensure you have good contact on ALL of the pins or you can build up heat or get arcing or pitting if you only do one pin the rest or the others are loose.. Again just be careful and do not go crazy on splitting like you have to put a visable divide between pins--not so. Some folks get all 'mountain-man' strong on gapping pins--and its NOT neccesary...as too much separation torque can sheer off one side of a pin and you then need to replace the whole pin or the plug, and if you spread them too much you may practically need a pry bar to get the plug apart afterwards. A good connection can dangle freely and not disconect and requires two hands to pull apart. If you tug or yank on the connector hanging freely, you don't want it to pull apart so easily or gap half way. We're talking microns of separation here..a little manipulation of the pins can go a long way to establishing a good solid connection. And a small tab of tape with a dogear or courtesy tab which simply spans between the two connectors is always a good practice as well..but it is not a solution to not pin-split....remember you want to ensure there is solid contact of the pins to prevent arcing, heating or pitting of the connector...

The GAMCHECK is a decent toy if you are looking for testers. But I also strongly second the multi-meter as a better choice to have for the reason that it is possible to have a lamp test positive for continuity and still not function--the path of the voltage in a continuity test doesn't mean it went thru the filament completely or even at all--just means that it completed its path but does not tell you where...if you have a multi-meter you can test for continuity--but you can also test for resistance/Ohms as well, and also meter your power to ensure the proper voltage.. Plus you can test a wide range of any cables or other connectors other than just a lamp or pin connector tester. A meter is a much more handy and versitile tool to get to know how to use overall in every aspect for many applications across the board--not like a gamcheck which is great for lamps and pin cable only....and a handy pocket meter from radio shack costs less than $30 while a gamcheck can run signifacntly more expensive...

JMO...
-w

[zac850]

You can also use a small flathead screw driver. Just stick it in between the pins and allow the flathead to pry the pins apart. Don't twist or do anything, because you'll more then likely break a pin and need to rewire the end.

A pin splitter is a good thing to have, because you can split the pins easier (with the way the handle is, much easier then a knife or a flathead screwdriver), plus you have something to clean the pins with. Often if the pins are not seated in the female plug correctly the power will end up arcing slightly to the pins, which will get them dirty with carbon build-up. Standard pin splitter has a wire mesh filled hole to clean the pins with. $30 on tools for stagecraft. IMO worth the investment, nice thing to have on your hip during a loadin.


For a lamp checker, I think it is nice. You could wire one up yourself if you really wanted to, just get a female stagepin connector, and go to Radio Shack and get a small battery, small LED, and perhaps a small buzzer. Wire them up, easy as pie.
IMO its a nice thing to have, because it saves you a bit of time while troubleshooting.

[gafftaper]

Charc, the Lamp checker is a cool tool. The point simply is that a multimeter can do that and a lot of other things too. So if you are starting out, it's a lot better to develop your skills with the multimeter first. Gam lampcheck and Gamcheck Jr. cost what about $35 each? You can get a good multimeter for $35 and it will do the job of both plus a whole lot more. Plus it will help teach you other electrical skills.

So both Gamcheck Jr. and Gam Lampcheck are great things to have around... there are just better ways to spend your money as a young technician. Now if you've got $100 to burn, buy all three and learn to use them all.

As for the loose stage pins connectors... one theater I work for occasionally is nuts about black electrical tape. They use it exclusively for everything from attaching cable to a batten (instead of tie line) to making sure connectors don't come undone. Personally, I'm a fan of just throwing a 3 inch strip of gafftape on there.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by charcoaldabs

When you say clockwise, I am going to assume you are looking at the pins, parallel to the split?

If you're looking down at the end of the pin, you want to just wiggle a THIN knife blade side-to-side (rotation), not rock it side to side. You're trying to widen the whole gap between the two pin halfs for the whole length of the pin, not splay them apart into a big "V".

Originally Posted by charcoaldabs

I really can't see much use for a multi meter right now. What else would I meter? And isn't it a hassle to use those chopstick like things when you could take under a second to plug in an SPC continuity checker? Just curious what other uses in theatre there are for multimeters.

If you're only testing to make sure the lights work, you could just use a hot circuit.
You'd use a meter when you're troubleshooting just about anything electrical. You need a meter when ever you have to tie-in dimmers, etc. You need a meter when you need to figure out what phase of power something is on.
A little stage-pin continuity tester is nice and all... We have one at work that is almost never used. If you want to build on, I'd say it's a great project. But if you're going to spend your money on a tool at this point, buy a meter and learn about all it's functions. When you do end up having to do more advanced trouble shooting you'll be on step ahead.

--Sean

[Jezza]

Personally, I don't like carrying around my multimeter while up climbing truss or at the top of an a frame. One more thing on my belt, one more thing to drop, not to mention the spikey leads. What I DO keep on my belt at all times is a REAL continuity tester. This is really a unique tool. Using two AAA batteries, it has what appears to just be a flat head screw driver on the end. However, on the side of the handle is a small metal square about .5 cm on all sides.

By touching one of your fingers to the metal square, you begin to become part of the continuty tester. You then touch the flathead part to on part of the lamp/plug/cable and a finger from your OTHER hand to the other lead on the lamp/pluh/cable. It tests continuity across your body and signifies with this with a red LED. This is very adventageous for me as I'm not fumbling around with leads and needles up in the air, just a simple tool. Good lucking finding them though, it took me quite a while to track one down.

[gafftaper]

Originally Posted by Jezza

Personally, I don't like carrying around my multimeter while up climbing truss or at the top of an a frame. One more thing on my belt, one more thing to drop, not to mention the spikey leads. What I DO keep on my belt at all times is a REAL continuity tester. This is really a unique tool. Using two AAA batteries, it has what appears to just be a flat head screw driver on the end. However, on the side of the handle is a small metal square about .5 cm on all sides.
By touching one of your fingers to the metal square, you begin to become part of the continuty tester. You then touch the flathead part to on part of the lamp/plug/cable and a finger from your OTHER hand to the other lead on the lamp/pluh/cable. It tests continuity across your body and signifies with this with a red LED. This is very adventageous for me as I'm not fumbling around with leads and needles up in the air, just a simple tool. Good lucking finding them though, it took me quite a while to track one down.

A simple continuity tester like that also only costs about $10.

[Charc]

Originally Posted by Jezza

Personally, I don't like carrying around my multimeter while up climbing truss or at the top of an a frame. One more thing on my belt, one more thing to drop, not to mention the spikey leads. What I DO keep on my belt at all times is a REAL continuity tester. This is really a unique tool. Using two AAA batteries, it has what appears to just be a flat head screw driver on the end. However, on the side of the handle is a small metal square about .5 cm on all sides.
By touching one of your fingers to the metal square, you begin to become part of the continuty tester. You then touch the flathead part to on part of the lamp/plug/cable and a finger from your OTHER hand to the other lead on the lamp/pluh/cable. It tests continuity across your body and signifies with this with a red LED. This is very adventageous for me as I'm not fumbling around with leads and needles up in the air, just a simple tool. Good lucking finding them though, it took me quite a while to track one down.

I might have one, though I thought it was for checking if something is live... glad I never shoved it in a receptacle then! I'll try and find it, and snap a pic.