When is a tight fit banana plug too tight?

[PicoWattson]

Z-type banana plugs are are pretty good. They provide a good contact patch in the socket. These right angle ones a bit too much apparently. I have hade 3 come apart so far while removing them from amplifier binding posts. It appears the solder did not adhere too well. Maybe a little silicone spray may have prevented it but a layer of silicone is not an ideal conductor. I've now gone to the type in the last image.

 

 

[GregWormald]

To make bananas and other connectors slide better the best bet is Pro-Gold—it's electrically conductive.

 

As far as your issue is concerned it appears to me that the plugs were tighter than the overall construction could stand. A nice tight connection and a solid overall construction is wanted, so good luck with the new ones.

[muon*]

Pro-Gold is great for this as Greg says above, It's a contact enhancer so that's a bonus!

[andyr]

5 hours ago, PicoWattson said:

Z-type banana plugs are are pretty good. They provide a good contact patch in the socket.

 

IMO ... they provide the best contact!  

 

5 hours ago, PicoWattson said:

These right angle ones a bit too much apparently. I have hade 3 come apart so far while removing them from amplifier binding posts.

 

Why on earth are you using right-angle plugs?  Use these:

 

 

... and solder them correctly!

 

5 hours ago, PicoWattson said:

It appears the solder did not adhere too well. Maybe a little silicone spray may have prevented it but a layer of silicone is not an ideal conductor.

 

Why do you use silicon spray when soldering?

 

5 hours ago, PicoWattson said:

I've now gone to the type in the last image.

 

 

I can't see what you see in them!  

 

Edited December 11, 2023 by andyr

[muon*]

I'd avoid those right angle connectors too if possible,  and use what Andy suggested.

 

I used synthetic barrels from some discarded plugs and adhesive shrink to create a more secure fitting over the soldered area..

 

 

[PicoWattson]

2 hours ago, andyr said:

Why on earth are you using right-angle plugs?  Use these:

I use what I like to use Andy. Right angle just works out better for the wall proximity and cable layout. I also use the others.

Edited December 11, 2023 by PicoWattson

[muon*]

Those are very high mass, big lumps of brass.

[BLAH BLAH]

6 hours ago, muon* said:

Pro-Gold is great for this as Greg says above, It's a contact enhancer so that's a bonus!

Got a link for this Pro-Gold Ian?!?

[ray4410]

5 hours ago, BLAH BLAH said:

Got a link for this Pro-Gold Ian?!?

https://www.jaycar.com.au/deoxit-contact-cleaner-and-rejuvenator-solution-kit/p/NS1436?pos=1&queryId=b5fb58ba4703d7aa3e0d935e68630f12

[ray4410]

you are right Hank you can use what you like but i have to agree with Andyr those right angle ones that you are using are junk and will degrade your system the one Andyr showed you are far superior,maybe you could just move your rack or component just a bit so you could accommodate the better straight z type banana plug, they are available from RS components online
i myself have used heaps of different banana plugs over the years but will use nothing else but the beryllium copper multicontact Z banana plugs,but as i say the choice is yours.

Edited December 12, 2023 by ray4410

[andyr]

4 minutes ago, ray4410 said:

the better straight z type banana plug, they are available from RS components online

 

Hi Ray,

 

Have you bought some recently?  Last time I needed some ... RS was no longer selling them - so I had to buy them from the US!  

 

[ray4410]

23 minutes ago, andyr said:

 

Hi Ray,

 

Have you bought some recently?  Last time I needed some ... RS was no longer selling them - so I had to buy them from the US!  

 

https://www.sonicartaudio.com/estore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14_38&products_id=56
here ya go Andy and Mark is a pleasure to do business with.
 

[muon*]

https://au.rs-online.com/web/p/banana-connectors/0531453

Edited December 11, 2023 by muon*

[andyr]

18 minutes ago, muon* said:

https://au.rs-online.com/web/p/banana-connectors/0531453

 

Lower down, it says "Unavailable", Ian. 

 

[muon*]

7 minutes ago, andyr said:

 

Lower down, it says "Unavailable", Ian. 

 

Ah I missed that, thanks.

 

Available from a few places, but then Mark at SA that Ray linked is the only local supplier I know of.

Edited December 11, 2023 by muon*

[georgehifi]

19 hours ago, PicoWattson said:

I have hade 3 come apart so far while removing them from amplifier binding posts

 

Get a large tip very hot soldering iron and solder sweat them back on, and do it to the ones that haven't come apart yet too.

These crocodile type bananas are the best!!!, you can push the right sized drill bit shank down into them to spread them a little to make a real nice tight fit if a little too easy to push in.  

 

Cheers George

Edited December 11, 2023 by georgehifi

[Gieseler Audio]

These give a great tight connection - branded RS Pro but I think they are sourced from Deltron which  is a nice UK brand connector.

https://au.rs-online.com/web/p/banana-connectors/1037637

or in gold

https://au.element14.com/deltron-components/584-0500/plug-4mm-speaker-red-gold/dp/1194018

 

Edited December 12, 2023 by Gieseler Audio

[Steever]

Z Plugs will get stuck in some BFA style sockets if the Z Plug zigg-zaggy edges are bent. 

Care is needed and any teeth poking in or out too much should be straightened out to restore the barrel shape before inserting them.

 

Still the best cable termination after bare wire if you had to use one.

If my Cyrus monos had conventional binding posts, I'd be using bare wire.

Edited December 12, 2023 by Steever

[Cloth Ears]

14 hours ago, PicoWattson said:

I use what I like to use Andy. Right angle just works out better for the wall proximity and cable layout. I also use the others.

I like these ones as they can be tightened to provide a solid grip - https://www.selby.com.au/cables/connectors/24k-gold-plated-heavy-duty-locking-banana-plugs-black-9-awg-bp0575b.html

There are some that you can bring in the cable from the side, but I'm unsure how good they are for soldering a connection (for the ones above, I do screw and solder).

[georgehifi]

 

Only the crocodile ones give the greatest contact area, all the way down the shaft from tip to base and round it, others do not.

 

Cheers George  

 

Edited December 12, 2023 by georgehifi

[075Congo]

If you are going to use the right-angled banana plug connectors I am wondering if "un-"twisting" the wires a bit prior to re-connecting will reduce the strain on the connector. I am in a similar situation at the rear of my rack and used the WBT-0610 Cu banana connectors....but at $60 each from Krispy Audio they are a very expensive solution.

[075Congo]

Another connector from Parts Connection in Canada could be an option. See attached. Your wire go through the connector at right angles and screwed on tight.

[075Congo]

Selby's have this type of connector at $4.95 each not sure if they are the German Solen brand.....more likely Chinese.

[ray4410]

a few pics of these useless cheap chunks of crappy brass banana plugs

[Fortmont]

I have had a few Z plugs become disconnected whilst removing the leads from from binding posts. I now remove Z plugs using pliers. It may sound a bit brutal, but it allows me to focus the pressure on the barrel of the plug without stressing the connection with the wire.