SDS200 3-Pin Power Connector Type

[ben_r_]

Anyone know the type of connector the SDS200 uses for the 3-pin power connector in the rear of the unit? I'd love to be able to make my own custom cabling from that connection to some Anderson PowerPoles.

 

[N9JIG]

I don't know the name but the power cable should have come with the radio. If you no longer have it replacements are available at Uniden Power Cord | Scanner Master

The orange wire is used to control the dimming on the display lighting, it is meant to connect to the interior lighting of your vehicle and dim the display as you dim your interior lights. If you leave this disconnected the radio will just use its own dimmer control (pressing the volume knob).

 

[KevinC]

I don't know the name but the power cable should have come with the radio. If you no longer have it replacements are available at Uniden Power Cord | Scanner Master

The orange wire is used to control the dimming on the display lighting, it is meant to connect to the interior lighting of your vehicle and dim the display as you dim your interior lights. If you leave this disconnected the radio will just use its own dimmer control (pressing the volume knob).

I believe the orange wire connects to the headlight switch and will dim the display when the headlights are turned on.

 

[fxdscon]

I believe the orange wire connects to the headlight switch and will dim the display when the headlights are turned on.

Yes, that's how Uniden describes the installation. This is from page 17 of the 2018 edition of the SDS200 owner's manual, but for some reason it's not mentioned in the 2019 edition of the manual:

Connecting DC Cable with Orange Wire
Connect this cable to the vehicle’s electric system that receives power when you turn on your
headlights. Now your scanner’s display will automatically dim when you turn on the headlights.

 

[ben_r_]

I don't know the name but the power cable should have come with the radio. If you no longer have it replacements are available at Uniden Power Cord | Scanner Master

The orange wire is used to control the dimming on the display lighting, it is meant to connect to the interior lighting of your vehicle and dim the display as you dim your interior lights. If you leave this disconnected the radio will just use its own dimmer control (pressing the volume knob).

Yea so far that's all I can seem to find, replacement cables. I was hoping to be able to make my own custom length runs with no inline fuse (for home use) if I could figure out that cable connector type. The one you linked to is $22 shipped, which is a bit more than I really want to spend on a connector, couple of fuses and wire.

 

[donc13]

Yea so far that's all I can seem to find, replacement cables. I was hoping to be able to make my own custom length runs with no inline fuse (for home use) if I could figure out that cable connector type. The one you linked to is $22 shipped, which is a bit more than I really want to spend on a connector, couple of fuses and wire.

It's a Uniden standard 12v power plug, it's identical to the 12v plug used by my Uniden CB.

Not having a fuse in a 12v line is not an intelligent practice.

 

[a417]

It's a Uniden standard molex-style connector (and is likely not going to be in a standard Molex catalog, or have a P/N that you can find an equivalent for), so there might not be the supply or demand out there to just buy a plug head and make your own. I see them all over the ebay for similar prices. You could always just find the female molex pins and shave down a more common Molex head to fit with an exacto knife, something I have done before. If you're not using the headlight dimming feature (which it sounds like you won't be at home), you could skip that pin and that makes dealing with that weird offset a bit easier.

I look at it this way, $22 for an inline fuse holder (always a good idea on every device) pre-wired to an odd-ball connector is a good deal.

 

[ben_r_]

It's a Uniden standard 12v power plug, it's identical to the 12v plug used by my Uniden CB.

Not having a fuse in a 12v line is not an intelligent practice.

An inline fuse is not an issue for my use case. The cable I was hoping to make will be run to a PowerPole distribution block that has built in fuses, all of which will be powered by an Astron linear power supply. So, no need for an inline fuse. Could it hurt? No. But certainly not needed or useful. In fact it probably just adds a point of failure.

 

[ben_r_]

It's a Uniden standard molex-style connector (and is likely not going to be in a standard Molex catalog, or have a P/N that you can find an equivalent for), so there might not be the supply or demand out there to just buy a plug head and make your own. I see them all over the ebay for similar prices. You could always just find the female molex pins and shave down a more common Molex head to fit with an exacto knife, something I have done before. If you're not using the headlight dimming feature (which it sounds like you won't be at home), you could skip that pin and that makes dealing with that weird offset a bit easier.

I look at it this way, $22 for an inline fuse holder (always a good idea on every device) pre-wired to an odd-ball connector is a good deal.

Yea I figured it was some odd variant of a molex connector, was just hoping to find the one. Thanks for the advice.

 

[KevinC]

It's a Uniden standard 12v power plug, it's identical to the 12v plug used by my Uniden CB.

Not having a fuse in a 12v line is not an intelligent practice.

Do the ones for CB have all 3 wires or just 2 wires?

 

[nessnet]

Go to Digikey (or?) and do some research on 3 pin Molex connectors (and the pins needed).

It is extremely doubtful Uniden used a custom Molex connector.
I'm almost certain that with enough digging, DigiKey (whomever you choose) will have the exact same one

 

[fxdscon]

Anyone know the type of connector the SDS200 uses for the 3-pin power connector in the rear of the unit? I'd love to be able to make my own custom cabling from that connection to some Anderson PowerPoles.

Maybe this....

CEA-CB3PP-FP take-apart 3-pin Power Plug Cobra, Galaxy, Midland, Uniden CB/Ham | eBay

Fits Cobra, Galaxy, Lafayette, Midland, Robyn, Superstar, Uniden Radios. build or repair 3-pin cords for 1970's to recent CB, Ham, & Marine VHF-FM radios. replace molded or take-apart black or white 3-pin CB & ham radio power plugs.

www.ebay.com

 

[nessnet]

Maybe this....

CEA-CB3PP-FP take-apart 3-pin Power Plug Cobra, Galaxy, Midland, Uniden CB/Ham | eBay

Fits Cobra, Galaxy, Lafayette, Midland, Robyn, Superstar, Uniden Radios. build or repair 3-pin cords for 1970's to recent CB, Ham, & Marine VHF-FM radios. replace molded or take-apart black or white 3-pin CB & ham radio power plugs.

www.ebay.com

That doesn't look like a Molex...

 

[nessnet]

3 pin molex connector - Google Search

3 pin molex connector for sale | eBay

[20x] Molex Crimp Terminals, Harley BLACK Waterproof, MX150 | eBay

Category: MX150 Connectors. Series: MX150. We will do our best to get back to you as soon as possible. Gauge: 14 - 22 AWG.

www.ebay.com

Molex 3-Pin Connector Kit 0.093" 3 Sets 10151760753 | eBay

 

[KevinC]

That doesn't look like a Molex...

It's not, it's the plug that fits the scanner in question.

 

[nessnet]

It's not, it's the plug that fits the scanner in question.

SDS200... I swear it's a Molex.
Been a while since I looked at one

 

[garys]

All of the ones I've seen for CB radios have two wires. The only application I've seen with three are for the Uniden scanners with headlight control of the display lighting level.

We've been using "Molex" as a more or less generic term in this thread. Uniden likely won't tell us who makes it, so I guess that's a good enough term. As you note above, that three pin connector isn't Molex, but it sure looks like it will fit in the Uniden scanners. The pin spacing would likely be the only question.

At the price on Ebay, I might buy one just to make a spare. Ironically, the shipping is more than the cost of the part.

Do the ones for CB have all 3 wires or just 2 wires?

 

[lynnsnyder1968]

An inline fuse is not an issue for my use case. The cable I was hoping to make will be run to a PowerPole distribution block that has built in fuses, all of which will be powered by an Astron linear power supply. So, no need for an inline fuse. Could it hurt? No. But certainly not needed or useful. In fact it probably just adds a point of failure.

Actually it's a point of PROTECTION.

 

[donc13]

Do the ones for CB have all 3 wires or just 2 wires?I had the CB for a few years before I got the SDS200 so the CB is the one I had wired in and it's only a 2 wire harness although the connector itself has 3 female sockets.

 

[ben_r_]

FWIW I shot an email to Uniden, we'll see what they come back with, if they do at all.

In the mean time I might just pick up one of these setups and just cut the cigarette lighter end off (LINK). That's as cheap as I've found so far.