Almost ruined my Pixhawk by pulling out connectors

In a week time I more or less ruined my pixhawk by unpluggin some plugs from it (see photo). First I tried to unplug the buzzer because it really makes a deafening noise. I ended up with two loose wires. Well, the result is the same (no noise) but I had a switch in mind.

Next I had to test the telemetry/OSD. To be sure everything was working I had to swap the plugs between telemetry 1/2. I could avoid the loose wires but as I had to use a screwdriver one of the receiving end of the plug is damaged. Today I ruined the I2C module and the wires came loose at the Pixhawk side.

No, I did not pull the wires (on purpose that is, my fingers often slipped. Hey, I am not a female with the long nails and small fingers that go with it!).

Yes, I studied the video many times. I am not able to reproduce what I see there. I am really pissed, there goes a next order for an I2C module including shipping. Did anyone ever succeed in unplugging a plug from the I2C module? I just tried to unplug another plug just to test and again I ended up with a plug mount in my fingers.

Sorry for the rant, I'll stop now. Just to be curious, am I the only one that can't handle those plugs? And does someone know a flight controller that does use normal plugs? Because all pleasure has gone from using my pixhawk.

ruined_pixhawk.jpg

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  • I received my "pry tool" today and in just some moments I could remove the plugs from my pixhawk. Maybe 3DR could supply a pry tool with each APM sold. And provide a link to the video Felix Messner posted. This really makes a difference.

    Thanks for all suggestions! I am now able to unplug plugs from the Pixhawk. All solutions mentioned had the same sort of solution in common: pry the plug loose with a thin bladed tool, even a USB plug will do. For people like me fingers are too blunt an instrument for this task ;-)

  • An investment of a couple of dollars from Amazon or Ebay will gain you what's known as a 'pry tool' used in mobile phone repair.  Just google 'mobile pry tool' and you'll find plenty of examples.  They look like this:

    31f446U4XYL._SX385_.jpg

    and are a perfect size to fit in the gap between the cable and recepticle.  

    They work a treat.

    • These are also called spludgers. I also pulled a connector from my I2C splitter, now I use a pair of needle nose pliers to hold the receiving end while I use the spludgers to pry the mating connector out, using the needle nose for leverage support.
    • Thanks for the tip! I ordered them immediately but this is highly qualified high-tech electronics and may not be exported to Europe :-D. I ordered them from somewhere else. Weird.

    • masha Allah i never thought of using those, i have them leftover from a failed sceen transplant job......leave to the experts, thank you for the tip Matt :-)

      Swift, any pics on the before and after on the plugs you DIYed?

  • By the way, is new Pixhawk on its way ?

  • I vote for bigger connectors on the next Pixhawk too.  I've broken a few myself, even while being careful, even while using small tools. 

  • Rnold:

    This is the tool I use.  Surgical or Dental tool?  

    I could never get my fingers in their.  

    3702105733?profile=original

  • I just one of these, certified compatibility too, smaller footprint etc. ..... the AUAV-X2 from Arsovtech, using servo-like connectors, singles or multiple.

    http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2285520

    I did have problems at first especially newly inserted plugs, watched the vid and used the technique shown with much less hassle now

    good luck
    • This is a cutie :-) I'll try that on my next copter. Thanks for sending the link, I had't seen this before.

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