Need help on where to plug in topper

[Joez]

I just received a topper and was hoping to get some advice on where to plug it in so I don’t blow up my machine!  I have a G20 with limited connections in the top box (first picture).  Second picture is of the connectors coming from the topper.  Can I the 6 prong (really 5) connector coming from the topper into the open 6 prong connector in the top box (far left in the picture) or is there somewhere else that it plugs in that I’m missing?  What about the 4 prong connector coming from the topper - can it just plug into any open 4 prong connector or is there a certain one it needs to go into?  I figure a lot of you have done this a million times, but I’m a little gun shy to just start plugging things in!   

[rickhunter]

The six pin cable connects to where the original candle connects.  The 4 pin cable is power, and an additional harness is needed since you need to combine 24v and 12v into the 4 pin molex.  the topbox connections should have a a harness that has 2 pin connectors one of them is 24v/gnd and the other one 12v/gnd.  You need to make a harness to combine the two and then connect to the topper's 4 pin plug.  As shown in the photo attached.

White circle is where the topper candle connects, the other end of this cable should have the matching 6 pin plug that connects to the topper.
Black circle provides power to the top box both 24v and 12v.  There should be like 4 cables out of this connector 2 orange/black for 24v and 2 red/black for 12v. 
Red circle 12v 4 pin plug connection to the extension harness to supply 12v for topper.
Orange circle 24v 2 pin plug connection to the extension harness to supply 24v for the topper
Blue circle is the other end of the extension harness that connects to the topper's 4 pin plug for power.

There's also a USB connection on your topper (if it is indeed a polygon topper) that also needs to be connected to either a USB port on the backplane or directly to the mpu.

[Joez]

Thanks Rick.  Found all the wires, now it's time to search the internet and learn how to make a wire harness!

[Joez]

I talked with one of our engineers at work about this today thinking I would make a harness and by the end of the conversation he had me thinking I’d need to invest a small fortune to get the right tools to make one And may end up doing major damage if I do it incorrectly.  Any chance that anyone has an extra one of these harnesses that they would want to sell (or for the more mechanically inclined would consider making one to sell)?

[rickhunter]

If you are not shy about this kind of thing, it is not all that expensive.  It is also a good skill to have for this hobby, as making harnesses is a frequent thing if your collection grows. Here's the breakdown of what you need minimally and options that make your life easier.

Absolutely necessary:
1. Crimp Tool.  If you buy the Molex brand, it is hundreds of dollars.  If you buy an aftermarket (I have aftermarket) anywhere from $50 to $100 for a relatively decent one depending on features.
2. Connectors and pins.  I have one of every size so I can make essentially any cable I would ever need.
3. Wires.  Multiple colors 18awg to 22awg depending on harness being made.  I like to use 18awg for things that will run any kind of voltage, although I use 20awg sometimes for low voltage like 5/12/24v stuff, depending on what I'm powering up.
3. Multi-meter.  You will need it to make sure your crimps are good and that the pinout is as needed by tracing each wire after you finish the harness.

Makes life easier.
1.  Stripper scissors (around $20).  This makes taking the plastic insulation off the wiring really easy.  The cheap method is to use a blade and carefully cut the plastic off.  Making harnesses, you will need to strip maybe 1/8 inch insulation, so the blade method might be messy.

2. Pin extraction tool (about $18).  If you insert pin into the wrong position, means you will have to basically destroy the pin to remove it if you don't have it, or use a pair of precision screwdrivers to try and bend the tabs on each side to pull the pin out, not an easy task.

3. Tie wraps.  Tie the loose cables between the connectors together, otherwise it becomes a big mess.  It still works, but it is a lot better when tied together.  Less wire tangles.

[Joez]

You inspired me Rick.  Ordered  some supplies today and will try making a harness this weekend.

[rickhunter]

Awesome.  Here are some closeup of the connectors so you know how to wire them when you get the stuff to build it.

[Joez]

Thanks for all the help Rick.  All my supplies came today so I made a harness following your instructions.  Worked perfectly!

[rickhunter]

Awesome, your first of many Harnesses!!!  Enjoy!