PCB Component help

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LeonR

Member
Hi!

I have done a quick search, but im not having much luck finding the product im after (I don't know what they are called).


Basically, I need to solder some extra pins onto my AXE020 board for the motor controller. What are these pins called? (PCB Pins?), what size? 1mm? I think I found some on rapid electronics, but they were round, rather than square, so im not sure if they are the correct product.


Also as advised by a blog on another robotics website, I would like to purchase some single cables that fit on the PCB pin's, rather than a ribbon cable. Up to now I have been using old computer cables (speaker connection etc etc), but it would be nice to obtain a pack of black and red cables which have insulated ends.. if they exist? Anybody know the name of these? (ive had a hunt through the connectors/cable section).


Thanks!!! :)
 
L

LeonR

Member
Ok thanks guys!! Im just having alook around now for UK suppliers, but that has helped me alot!!

For my 4 pins (A and B) to use my motor driver, I can just solder in 4 single pins i assume?

I assume all the PCB holes/pins are 1mm?


Thanks!!
 
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westaust55

Moderator
I use the same type of male headers and female sockets that IWP has mentioned.

Jaycar are another supplier (they have a UK store or 2) but have read that their UK prices are a bit high.

The pins are in fact square and 0.64mm (0.025 in) wide.
The pins are at 2.54mm (0.1in) centres.
 
D

Dippy

Moderator
I would suggest looking into the pin header style as suggested by IP. I don't have that AXE board but the holes wil be generously sized to take the pin header (square section) pins.
Various manufacturers make them, here is an example of dimensions:-
http://www.harwin.com/include/downloads/drawings/M20-998.PDF

You can buy a strip and cut to suit.

Be aware that some individual round pcb pins (e.g. from Maplin/MPS) can require holes of larger size than 1mm. So, not only will you probably have to drill the pcb but your standard ribbon header socket won't fit. They are really for soldering or test-points. I'm not sure but I don't think you can get proper sockets to make a plug-in lead(??).

You can buy individual crimp sockets for pin header sized pins and make your own individual leads:-
http://uk.farnell.com/1022220/connectors/product.us0?sku=harwin-m20-1180046&_requestid=664365
(Not cheap, require careful crimping and require strain relief).

I've never found pre-made individual leads, though I haven't spent too much time looking.

If it is practical you may also consider screw terminals. These are available on a 2.54mm pitch but obviously you would need to check the size against board space. And they have a locating pimple which may need chopping off. Example:-
http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/35451.pdf
 
L

LeonR

Member
Ok thanks for all the info, thats been really helpfull!

Yeh i noticed that maplin etc were selling round pins, and they did look a little fat for what im after. But again I was not sure, but you have just confirmed that for me :)

I'm learning as I go, and thanks to the forum community its much easier than guessing and wasting money on the wrong parts!!


Thanks again! :)
 
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westaust55

Moderator
Pre-made jumper leads

Manuaka is using individual pre-made leads. Available at:

http://www.surplustronics.co.nz/shop/search.php?q=HW0015

If one uses the female sockets that match the square-pin type headers I would guess that these would work a treat to link between an AXE020 and a breadbaord or other boards with similar sockets.

http://www.rapidonline.com/Tools-Fasteners-Production-Equipment/PCB-Equipment/Prototyping-Boards/Jumper-links-for-protoblocs/29451/kw/jumper

And if one dares to mention the-bay :eek: , then look at
http://item.express.ebay.com/3x-Solderless-Breadboard-Jumper-Cable-Wires-Kit-Qty100_W0QQitemZ160234840512QQihZ006QQcmdZExpressItem

and finally for those in the UK region:
http://www.electronicprojectsonline.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=jumperwires
These suit 0.6 to 1.0mm header pins


EDIT:
then in male to female types there are:
http://www.roboticsconnection.com/p-31-12-jumper-wires-male-to-female.aspx



we could possibly focus in a bit more on items in a forum members area if they had their location (at least country indicated).
 
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D

Dippy

Moderator
They look like pin to pin -round/square?. So great for breadboards.
Size unknown so don't know if they would plug into header sockets without damage. Size would have to be <0.8mm square pin to ensure no damage.

I was on about socket leads for connection to standard pin headers with the dimensions shown in the Data Sheet I linked.

Just one other note: standard common-or-garden header sockets are designed for square pins and can be stressed if pin inserted at wrong angle - maybe this is why single pins are not too common?
 
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BCJKiwi

Senior Member
@Westy, great idea
I use those same jumper leads and find they work a treat in machined pin Dip Sockets.

So just grab an 8Pin Dip Machined socket and cut it in half lengthwise and there is a row of four sockets to solder into the board. They are reasonably safe when not being used as there is no metal sticking up above the plastic body. A little bit of a twist on the jumper leads gets them into the sockets and they are very secure. I suppose ordinary Dip sockets could be used but would not recommend it as the jumper leads would not be secure or well located.

There is a pic of such a board here http://www.picaxeforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=8195
 
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westaust55

Moderator
I would not recommend the "ordinary" dip sockets for frequent insertion and removal of header type pins.

The SOIC8 to DIP adapters that I made up for my DS1338 based RTC's use the square type header pins. While they work well and can be removed once or twice, the do distort/bend the sprung contact in the socket to an extent that they never completely recover.

Would think once or twice is okay but repeated insertion of pins would lose good contact.
 
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Mycroft2152

Senior Member
westaust55 said:
I would not recommend the "ordinary" dip sockets for frequent insertion and removal of header type pins.

The SOIC8 to DIP adapters that I made up for my DS1338 based RTC's use the square type header pins. While the work well and can be removed once or twice, the do distort/bend the sprung contact in the socket to an extent that they never ompletely recover.

Would think once or twice is okay but repeated insertion of pins would lose good contact.
Click to expand...
This matches my experience also. The square posts and regular leaf spring sockets are only good for a few insertion cycles, then you have intermittant contact and it is a royal PITA to find.

Spend the money on a few machine pin sockets and the jumpers.

Myc
 
S

stocky

Senior Member
Westy - I get the same leads from SURE off e(vil)bay - but i just get sent a heap chucked in when i buy a few breadboards:

5 x Breadboards (190x47mm) + 5 x Packs of leads $27USD & free postage

Very happy with them so far! Best bit of proto-kit i have found in a long while!
 
S

stocky

Senior Member
BCJKiwi - i just by strips of machine pin skts - usually in 24,32 or 40 pin strips

They work GREAT with those flexy leads!
 
E

eclectic

Moderator
Another possible idea?

Solder two pairs of these

http://www.rapidonline.com/Cables-Connectors/Connectors-Multipole/PCB-Interconnect/Non-RoHS-2.54mm-PCB-interconnection-system/76291

to the A and B points.. (Similar to the pins already on-board.)

Connect the motor(s) with

http://www.rapidonline.com/Cables-Connectors/Connectors-Multipole/Servo-Connectors/Futaba-servo-plug-kit/80703/kw/futaba

but just wire two adjacent pins.

The small pic. shows the connector wired to pins 1 and 3, but that's easily changed.

And, as an aside, the large picture show the line of holes for DIRECT connection
to outputs 0 – 7, i.e. by-passing the 2803 Darlington.
(This isn't shown on the datasheet).

e
 

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