Headset Plugs

[lasvegasal]

Hello friends - well my Z style J&M headset plugs that are located in the center of the cord no longer seems to push together nice and tight. The pins are not bent and everything looks clean. Takes very little to separate and cause an audio cut out. Years ago someone sold a small rubber band device that held both plugs tight. Are these still available in the world?? I was also thinking of chopping off the proprietary plugs and replacing them with a standard 5 pin din - much larger pins that will not bend etc.. Anyone have any luck with this thought?? Appreciate comments - ride safe and long.

[newday777]

I never liked those connectors they came with either. I had one headset with it and got rid of it as it popped off easy also. Why j&m didn't have a click lock on it to keep it together??? No idea... They should have.
If you are talking of using the metal 5 pin din connector, that'll be a heavy weight added.
Sorry no suggestion on what to use. I got rid of the wired headsets and went BT.

[lasvegasal]

Appreciate the reply - On my previous wing I replaced the J&M propriety plugs with standard 5 pin din plugs and it worked great - really cant feel any weight difference and those plugs can take a beating.. Guess it's time to do some "snip, solder and smile"...

[Viking]

If you intend to snip and solder anyway, why not just eliminate the plug in the center of the cord totally. Turn it into one length. The headsets I use are a single run of line from the helmet to the connector on the bike, and I have never had a single failure. Knock on wood.

[lasvegasal]

Point taken and thanks for the suggestion. I have grown accustomed to unplugging mud cable to prevent walking around with a dangly cable. I won’t unplug at the helmet as those little pins and the housing they are in are not repairable. Thanks any ways.

[Viking]

I have grown accustomed to unplugging mud cable to prevent walking around with a dangly cable.

Okay, I get that. Yeah, I just walk around with the cable thrown over my shoulder, but rarely, as mostly I leave the helmet with the bike. Our rest stops here have outdoor toilets, so the cable over the shoulder keeps it out of trouble and gets the job done.

[lasvegasal]

You’ve given me something to consider - thanks.

[MikeB]

If you are really contemplating replacing the connector, here is an option to start you thinking.

These are on Amazon for $12.88 for a set of 5.
https://www.amazon.com/BTF-LIGHTING-Pla ... B01LCV8SYK

I am certain there are many many options. You just have to do some research.

If it were me, I might consider smearing some liquid rubber, like Liquid Electrical Tape, on the perimeter of the plastic mating surfaces of the connector. Of course, be careful not to get any on the electrical contacts.

Or maybe a thin layer of some RTV silicone sealant. Both of these should give a bit of friction to the plastic surfaces to keep them from pulling apart.

Or, use some heat shrink tubing to hold the connector together. Then just unplug at the 5 pin DIN connector on the bike when you disconnect.

[lasvegasal]

Heat shrink! Many great ideas to try. Thanks.

[CrystalPistol]

Never had an issue with the small in line plugs myself, have a few. Just use two hands and care when plugging & unplugging.

What I do at the helmet end is drill a small hole near the helmet edge beside the cord, wrap a bit of tape or split small hose on the cord, and use a small zip tie to secure the cord in place so there is no pulling on the angled small plug at the helmet connector.

[lasvegasal]

We are generally very cautious when using these plugs. They are over 8-9 years old so age may play a factor. Thank you for the suggestion.

[kwthom]

We are generally very cautious when using these plugs. They are over 8-9 years old so age may play a factor. Thank you for the suggestion.

The tension of the plastic is what holds that connection together - than and the keyed shape of the male/female end.

The *other* function is more of a safety concern. If you were to become involved in an accident that separates you from proximity of the bike, you certainly don't want the connectors acting as a restraint.

Think of what would happen if cable slack goes away and you are going one direction while the motorcycle is going in another direction.

Just a thought...