SpeakerCraft BB1235 Connector Source?

[GGerg1186]

Where can I buy the connectors and terminals compatible with these white speaker outputs on the SpeakerCraft BB1235? Do I need to buy a special crimping tool?

Is there a connector specification or standard I can review?

 

[BMXTRIX]

Those are for chaining a bunch of those amps together in some weird way or using a system controller.

Your speakers would connect to the red and black 5-way binding posts. Those posts are industry standard connections. You can look at how to connect to them using YouTube videos. There are a ton of videos about connecting speakers to 5-way binding posts.

 

[GGerg1186]

Those are for chaining a bunch of those amps together in some weird way or using a system controller.

From the SpeakerCraft BB1235 Manual

InstaLLock™ Connector Outputs
Simplify the connection of the speaker outputs by using SpeakerCraft’s InstaLLock™ Connector, purchased separately. InstaLLock™ Connectors eliminate the hassle of connecting multiple wires onto the back of the amplifier. Instead they can be easily connected to the InstaLLock™ Connector which is later plugged into the back of the amplifier. InstaLLock™ Connectors can be purchased from your SpeakerCraft Dealer.

Not finding InstalLock connectors online, hoping there is a molex or PEK connector equivalent I can use.

Almost want to buy one of these molex 16 pin connectors just to see if it fits:

 

[BMXTRIX]

From the SpeakerCraft BB1235 Manual
...

I'm not saying it doesn't have some mundane purpose. I'm saying that in 20 years+ of installation work, nobody has ever used one of these... ever.

If your intent is to constantly unplug and replug in all of your speakers in your distributed audio system over and over and over, then I guess I can see a real need for these.
But, otherwise, I would leave a few feet of slack in the speaker wires, properly cable manage them, and make it so I can turn the amplifier around and service it, and use banana plugs for all the connections. Just like I've seen done for the last couple of decades.

 

[panteragstk]

This thing already has 12 channels, but why?

Molex connectors are quite common, but if you look the plastic parts around the pins have different shapes. Good luck finding one that fits, and even more, without a pinout of what they're supposed to be, you're guessing.

 

[BMXTRIX]

This thing already has 12 channels, but why?

Molex connectors are quite common, but if you look the plastic parts around the pins have different shapes. Good luck finding one that fits, and even more, without a pinout of what they're supposed to be, you're guessing.

Looking at this image, it is apparent that it is just standard speaker wiring. The left connection is channels 1-8 with + on top, and - on the bottom. 16-pins of connections covering the first 8 channels. The right connection handles the last 4 channels. So, the right half of the connection wouldn't be connected to anything.

At least, that's what I would be pretty sure is the case.

If I really had some use case where this made sense (which I question), then I would just reach out to SpeakerCraft. It's not like they aren't still in business. You will notice that they do NOT use that silly connector anymore. Probably a reason for that. Likely a bunch sitting on a shelf in the back somewhere, and they may be able to hook someone up for cheap.

 

[j_garcia]

It looks like a molex for sure. Not something an amp manufacturer would have special made. IMO, as BMX said, no real benefit to that connector. Use the binding posts.

 

[Eppie]

Well, for what it's worth, the shape of each individual connector on the molex plug does match the shapes on the amp. I would not both either though. The molex plug would either come wired, which entails splicing all of the connections, or you need to carefully remove each individual terminal in the plug, crimp the wire on (and hope you get it tight) and reassemble it. Banana plugs FTW!

 

[GGerg1186]

Appreciate the input, I build custom harnesses for old Volkswagens and custom electric go karts, have professional wire terminal crimps for packard and a few others, including molex. Clean wiring is a major obsession for me, and the thought of a simple plug with all the wires sorted was compelling. I will just wire to the banana plugs.

 

[panteragstk]

Appreciate the input, I build custom harnesses for old Volkswagens and custom electric go karts, have professional wire terminal crimps for packard and a few others, including molex. Clean wiring is a major obsession for me, and the thought of a simple plug with all the wires sorted was compelling. I will just wire to the banana plugs.

Ah, that makes more sense. You're on the right track then.

 

[j_garcia]

I have crimp tools and used to build custom harnesses for car audio too, before other companies started making them off the shelf. My issue with that likely Molex is, the wire AWG will be limited by the pin size and I think that is less desirable, depending on the run lengths and speakers attached.

 

[Eppie]

I have crimp tools and used to build custom harnesses for car audio too, before other companies started making them off the shelf. My issue with that likely Molex is, the wire AWG will be limited by the pin size and I think that is less desirable, depending on the run lengths and speakers attached.

I was going to post something similar. Also used harnesses in car audio installs and was wondering what the max gauge was for that molex connector. I found nothing on-line for the InstalLock plugs so it's a matter of whether their jack fits a standard molex or not. InstalLock does not return any results even on the SpeakerCraft web site.

 

[j_garcia]

I was going to post something similar. Also used harnesses in car audio installs and was wondering what the max gauge was for that molex connector. I found nothing on-line for the InstalLock plugs so it's a matter of whether their jack fits a standard molex or not. InstalLock does not return any results even on the SpeakerCraft web site.

The plug is just one part, you'd still need to find the pins, which could be harder to come by unless they are standard Molex. Looking at them, I'd guess 18AWG max, likely smaller on them.

 

[BMXTRIX]

Appreciate the input, I build custom harnesses for old Volkswagens and custom electric go karts, have professional wire terminal crimps for packard and a few others, including molex. Clean wiring is a major obsession for me, and the thought of a simple plug with all the wires sorted was compelling. I will just wire to the banana plugs.

While in car audio, there are certainly reasons to have a nice harness that can easily be connected and disconnected, there are some specific reasons you do not ever want this in a home.

Most notably is troubleshooting.

If a single speaker has an issue, it becomes a hassle, or a downright pain, to troubleshoot the wiring if it tied into a harness that can't be separated from the rest easily. Especially if you are actively troubleshooting for a issue that is tough to identify. So, it could be a bad amp channel, a bad wire, or a bad speaker, so you want the ability to move the wire from location to location to location quickly. You also don't really want to take down the rest of the system while you are doing this troubleshooting.

I would say, that if you really are solid with wanting to do wiring properly to a distribution amp, then organization can still get you there really well. If you haven't already, take a look at some nice rack builds.
Here's what I did with my amps and banana plugs...

So here we go... 24+ A/V Zones w/10 Sources

This past year I moved. My old home was pretty well setup, but didn't have any land and with young kids it was time for a new home a lot closer to my office. So, here I am, less than a mile from my office, with some land for the kids, but my old home A/V system left behind. You know what...

forums.audioholics.com

 

[Eppie]

@BMXTRIX Wow, I had not seen those install pics before (long before I joined). That's a very impressive setup and installation.

 

[BMXTRIX]

@BMXTRIX Wow, I had not seen those install pics before (long before I joined). That's a very impressive setup and installation.

Thanks. That was obviously several years ago. I have changed things up significantly since then. That thread is in desperate need for a makeover with the new equipment shown as well as the new work done. I've gone entirely to digital (HDMI) switching and more, but the main amplifier stack is still in place and largely untouched from when I first put it in place. Maybe a bit more dust on things.