@jonty I was thinking one of the 13W3 like things; 24W7 gets you 17 normal pins and 7 big ones, which I think means you could have a couple of 80A power connectors, and some high speed data.
https://www.mouser.co.uk/datasheet/2/1093/C004RevF3_ComboD-2584002.pdf
@jonty keeping this bookmarked. People are giving great examples of connector for my future projects. Thanks acousticism.
@jonty I have an early ebike that uses this as the connector between the battery/controller and the motor/sensors mounted on the frame.
If the cable is keyed, we only need 12 conductors.
https://www.mcmaster.com/products/cable/number-of-poles~12/voltage~60v-dc/
@jonty 40 pin ribbon cable will do. And allows you to daisy chain additional devices on the same bus.
@jonty one of those aerospace/military connectors which cost a fortune
@jonty Atari 2600 cartridge
@jonty not a connector per se, but...
An array of magnetrons and chickens with a temp probe in their butts
@jonty How about ultrasound probe connectors? Should be enough for about 16 USB-C connectors in parallel.
I recommend https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/heavy-duty-power-connectors/3961548
With 16A per pin, it should allow for New and Innovative proprietary variations on USB-PD.
*sells idea to Dell*
@jonty It’s just a matter of time before we replace ATX connector with USB-C ones 
@jonty this is why I miss Maplin. That catalog would be perfect for answering this question.
@jonty i just realised that you could run USB 3.2 over a PCIe 4x slot since they're both 85Ω impedance.
@jonty
For the glory of sheer hackiness, I approve!
@jonty May i suggest TRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRS?
https://fv.technogothic.net/@AgathaSorceress/113317998120714263
@jonty alligator clips. Enough of them.
@jonty the Sega MegaDrive expansion port (for the Mega CD) has more than enough pins. It would finally allow us to create the ultimate gaming system and beat Nintendo!
@jonty How about we use something really tiny, using really weak materials, such that after a year of twice daily use it becomes unreliable, and lets make the devices we install it on virtually impossible to repair, so devices, hardware, and cables that would otherwise be good for many years become e-waste after barely a year because a dumb fucking connector is a single point of failure
@jonty Lesker 32-pin ultra-high vacuum feedthrough using "MIL-C-26482 style connector".
https://www.lesker.com/feedthroughs/instrument-feedthroughs-mpc-singleend/part/iftrg327013
@jonty Is it finally time to bring back the 30-pin Apple connector? I have a ton of old iPod docks that I could finally put to good use again
@jonty I love your suggestion. Have you ever experienced a Speakon connector? Those are my all time fav. Very satisfying to lock by rotating one quarter turn.
@jonty now I want reversible ATX.
@jonty The BSI coupler, modelled here by the mighty Pacer train, has 50 electrical pins. I make that enough for two USB-C connections.
@jonty Has anyone posted this one yet?
Of course it isn't reversable like USB-C (at least not without a hacksaw...)
And you'd have to physically align both devices, unless you're into flexi PCBs...
@jonty after working in physics labs for much too long, I suggest the good old "24 unlabelled bnc cables hanging from some hook on the ceiling" coupling.
@jonty taking usb-c reversibility to the next level with a connector that requires not one but two special tools, one each to insert and remove it.
@jonty That’s cursed. I love it.
@jonty
TX: SERIAL
RX: SERIAL
V+: SERIAL
AC: SERIAL
GND: SERIAL
BUS: SERIAL
CC: SERIAL
SBU: SERIAL
CLK: SERIAL
DATA: SERIAL
PWM: SERIAL
Analog: SERIAL
Reset: SERIAL
@jonty one from @foone
Usb to VGA, doesn't support usb C yet tho!
https://digipres.club/@foone/113262419209347413
@jonty Four separate BNC connectors with floating shields.
@jonty which generation of SuperSpeed do you intend to support? You don't need more than 6 contacts (7 with PD) for valid USB 2 connectivity for USB-C (12 or 14 if you want to make your connector "wrong orientation pluggable", which very few of the ludicrous connectors but USB-C would allow, anyways…).
So, the spiciness here lies within "most inappropriate" but "still makes sense to have 24 pins, because USB 3 SS works". I'll go with a LEMO 24-pin circular connector with 6 coax connections,…
@jonty Whatever the box is in this photo. https://ahf.nuclearmuseum.org/ahf/history/electronics-and-detonators/
@jonty how about a pair of six-pin DIN connectors?
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/DIN_connector
@jonty@chaos.social now glue two back to back so it’s reversible!
@jonty i can't think of a connector more inappropriate than usb-c
@jonty both the Dreamcast and Nintendo (SNES, Gamecube, and N64) AV connectors also had enough pins to support USB-C 🤔
- solidarity with 
@jonty WTF I wanna build that
@jonty Just put all the PD standard voltages each on a separate pin, and tada: no need for any complex power negotiation anymore!
@jonty Four unlabeled MIDI cables so that you get that nostalgic USB-A charm of having to try it different ways when plugging it in.
@jonty @darkphoenix I have a soft spot for the old SCSI connectors
@jonty
Scharfenberg! Because there are so many variants!
https://www.s-bahn-galerie.de/S_Bahn_Berlin/xScharfenberg/877_602_03.htm
@jonty Does OBD-II have enough pins?
@jonty @cstross I'd suggest IBM bus and tag cables, from their older mainframes: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ca/IBM_360_Bus_Tag_Cables.png. Note that the connectors are about 10 cm long — and you needed two to connect to each I/O device…
@jonty 16 pin JST-XH for data + XT60 for power
@jonty For a second I though that was a connector-of-connectors, welding a bunch of RJ-11 jacks together and...
Wait, hold on, I have an Idea!
@jonty Does SCART have enough pins?
@jonty Nuclear Instrumentation Standard (NIM bins).
@jonty 36-way EDAC? It’s got a lovely bolt-in design to keep it mated.
https://www.digikey.co.uk/en/products/detail/edac-inc/519-036-000-305/13721392
@jonty this one is future proof an will be able to comply with PD-42 spec, handling 1000W to power your fancy USB-C kettle
@jonty I suggest the HD50 standard. It can carry two USB-C connections for twice the fun, and 50pin HD-Dual-C (TM) to USB-A connectors are already available!
Be HD (tm)
@jonty Okay. I had not considered that. An impressive feat!
@jonty wait I got one - it solves the issue where you can't plug it in first try. Didn't count but should be more than enough pins.
(Image credit: Wikipedia)
@jonty spicy breadboard
@jonty @bazbremner The forbidden breadboard
@jonty I know of someone who thought it would be clever to use one of those to distribute low voltage DC.
Someone else not knowing this plugged the device into a different one that was connected to 240v A/C.
Apparently the bang was quite spectacular.
@jonty @bazbremner In theory yes. In practice we almost got two places burnt because of USB C dangling around plugs
@jonty 3 phase commando
@jonty https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/SCART true full Inappropriateness
What is the most inappropriate connector with enough pins to support USB-C?
I suggest: