Cabling/Connectors required

[Kryten]

Hi folks,
Don't normally ask for help (normally trying to give it myself) but I'm in desperate need of some cabling/connectors that a few people here may know where I can get them/get them made.

I have 2 sets of KVM banks (50 slots each) and each slot typically see's around 10 PC's a day. That's a lot of plugging and unplugging for each cable, and naturally pins get broken/bent.

KVM cables are a pain in the arse to replace - especially when they're over 15 metres in length in some cases, cable tied in bundles and then in the racking's cable management system. So, when a pin breaks - it's almost a days work isolating the cable and replacing it. The port saver would stop this - when a pin breaks - saver gets replaced, not the cable.

Now, monitor port saver connectors are easy finds (little 15pin male to female adapters) - but I'm buggered if I can find anything similar for PS/2 connections. There's no mouse involved, only a PS/2 keyboard.
I don't want to use extension cables, as theres already enough of a spaghetti junction to manage.

Now, I've tried everywhere I know - RS Components, Maplins, CPC and a few other various sites, as well as an extensive google search, and can't locate any such connetor or short cable. I've jerry-rigged up a couple by cutting up a ps2 splitter (one ps2 plug to 2) but this is expensive and I've none left to butcher. I also don't have time to manufacturer 150 of them myself.

So, long shot - anyone know who may either stock such an item or would make to order?

Put simply either a very short PS2 extension lead (1 to 3 inches!) or a simple male to female connector.

Cheers

 

[Trem]

This any use?

 

[Whipped]

I guess it never occured to any manufacturer that anyone would want a small stub ps2 female to male connector. I can find loads of male to male and female to female.

The closest to a solution I can come up with is to do something like the following.

Get a 5 PIN DIN (F) - 6 pin PS/2 (M) connector and a 5 PIN DIN (M) - 6 pin PS/2 (F) connector, and plug them together. I'm just not confident that the PS2 ports would take the extra weight.

Or you could do it with PS2 females and PS2 males.

 

[Kryten]

Aye whipped, pretty much the "last chance" idea I had. Trouble is, doubles the cost, which I can't see my boss agreeing to - even though it's still far cheaper than replacing all the cables.

Can't find anything there suitable Trem but have bookmarked that site nevertheless - looks useful

 

[Chilly]

be aware that when replacing connectors on someting like a monitor cable there may be various things to take into account. eg when replacing an rj45 plug on a network cable, to meet the cat5e spec the twisted pairs may only be untwisted for a certain maximum length per metre of the cable else the signal gets mashed up.

 

[Bob007]

Can't really help much. Never had a need before. KVM sits on my desk, only takes 10 and never have more then 8 at once. Privileged life

Just a thought, Would a PS/2 to USB converter work, err kinda like (shoots off to google) this Never tried it myself (see above, don't have need) but be interested to find out

 

[Kryten]

Cheers for the help, I had all the connectors I needed.

You'll obviously know of PS2>USB converters for keyboards and mice and their USB>PS2 counterparts - one of my colleagues found he had a boxful of both of these - connected together, and I have my connecter! Had enough of them including spares to do the job too

Have actually spoken to my boss today about setting up a small sideline in manufacturing KVM cable saving equipment. The cables cost a fortune and often a bugger to replace, so I suspect these may sell well.

 

[Guest]

is this it

Amazon.com: At Male To PS2 Female Keyboard Cable Adapter: Electronics

 

[Kryten]

If both ends were Ps/2 yes, it would have been. I could have acheived the same result as my last post using 2 of those (AT> PS2 and PS2>AT) but didn't have those to hand
Ta anyway