Avionics Bending: Deutsch Connectors (Analysis)

The L0ckheed L-1011 used mostly connectors made by Deutsch. They are round bayonet style connectors that are pretty standard in the aviation industry. They are, however, very expensive when you have to buy them. The best way, is to see if you find them on eBay or somewhere else. Here are a few notes on Deutsch connectors:

1) Each connector has a unique identifier that tells you the size of the connect, the number pins and the key used. For example:

DL66R-14-15SN-1A

It encodes the connector size as 14 the number of pins as 15 and the connector key as "SN". The "S" denotes a socket and a "P" a pin. The connector below has sockets and the instrument picture below that as pins:




1) Each connector has a number of keys that prevent the connector from being inserted into a wrong instrument. There are a large number of different keys, but I will show you the most common key positions here.

"SN" Key ... this one is by far the most common on the L-1011.


"S6" Key Style


"S8" Key Style


The blue arrow show the main key. This one is always on top of the connector at the 12 o'clock position.