For questions about component-level electronic circuits, tools and equipment.
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I recently got a nice office chair for Christmas with heated massage functionality and it uses a barrel plug to power it but I have to be super careful to not pull it or damage the barrel connector in any way. I wish there was a magnet conector for these things in case of a yank pull and was wondering if anyone had heard of some adapter like the one I pictured above.
If you don't recognize brand name on an Amazon listing you are essentially shopping on AliExpress. Would you buy this connector from AliExpress with the same purpose in mind?
Like others have said the quality of the connector, especially resistance are going to be the biggest questions. I noticed that you said it will be powering a heater and one or more motors. That means the amperage rating of the connector is going to be crucial.
Any type of connector can be magnetic like that. But like the other guys said, it's a question of quality - lots of these third party connectors are pretty shit.
Also, it adds resistance to the connection. A quality magnetic connector should have minimal resistance. But a crappy connector? Who knows.
More resistance = more heat + potentially insufficient power transfer.
Also in the case of high-rate data transfer, these plugs would probably add a lot of impedance (though that's not a concern in this use case)
Are electric barrel connectors ever used for data transfer? I've only seen them used for power, but I'm curious if it's possible.
No. They are indeed used for power only.
But technically you could use them for data or small signal.
If you consider analog audio as data, then yeah all the time
Hah, OK, got me there 🤣
I'd extend the cord and add a break-away somewhere else (strongly attached), removing the strain point from the barrel.
You want the strain in-line with the cord and strain-release connector, whatever you end up using.
Do you have any examples of what break always I should look for?
Heated suggests it’s moderately high current and/or voltage so tread with caution.
There is a high degree of likelihood that those don't work at all or fuck up the circuitry with the wrong voltage/amperage required. I bought some usb-c to usb-mini adapters on that website once. They didn't work. I opened one up and the two ends weren't even connected.
Also quite likely to short out if you don't connect them carefully. I have a usb-c magnet connector like that and I merely chuck my phone towards the cable. Wouldn't wanna do that with some connectors like these.