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suggestions for board-to-wire connectors? — Parallax Forums

suggestions for board-to-wire connectors?

InSilicoInSilico Posts: 52
edited 2008-09-24 10:03 in General Discussion
Hi everyone!

A lot of my designs involve multiple printed circuit boards each doing something specific. Therefore, a (nonpermanent) way to connect the boards together for signal/data/power is a must.

I'm curious as to what types of connectors you guys used to make these board-to-wire-to-board connections? I'm thinking of using the AMPMODU MTE connectors from Tyco Electronics. They seem like a good choice because they are 0.1" centerline, single-row available, with 2-50 circuits available (although I will not be using a 50 pin connector anytime soon!) and with polarized mating capability. I'm·leaning towards the·right angle polarized single row PCB headers and their corresponding cable receptacles, then crimp my own connectors. I can easily buy them off Mouser.

What do you think? Do you use something different? Tips, suggestions and things to look out for?

Much appreciated!

Post Edited (InSilico) : 9/23/2008 7:28:41 AM GMT

Comments

  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2008-09-23 07:39
    I'm partial to the Hirose DF11 series (2mm) connectors that DigiKey sells. They're polarized, not terribly expensive, and you can get pre-crimped wire sets for them from DigiKey. 2mm connectors are way more compact than 0.1-inchers but still allow for standard PCB clearances with traces running between pads.

    -Phil

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    'Still some PropSTICK Kit bare PCBs left!
  • DufferDuffer Posts: 374
    edited 2008-09-23 18:09
    I prefer to use Molex SL connectors for non-permanent and simi-permanent interboard wiring. See current online Mouser catalog page 1,397. The crimp housings (Fig. F) come in 2-10 pin configurations. You can use either the male or female crimp terminals (Figs. J and K) with the housing (handy for making polorized connectors by mixing M/F in the same housing).

    I tend to use right-angle male headers on my circuit boards and female/female cables for interconnect. For crimping the terminals, I've found that a "bead crimping" tool (found in craft stores in the jewelry making department) makes a perfect cripming tool. Be sure to get the smallest size available and make sure it has a two-stage crimping jaw·(see photo below).

    The male and female crimp terminals can also be used to make custom jumper wires (M/M, F/F, M/F) in just the lengths you need. Just crimp them to the wire, use a short piece of shrinkwrap tubing to cover the exposed metal part of the terminal and you're ready to go.

    Good luck,

    Duffer


    Post Edited (Duffer) : 9/23/2008 6:18:28 PM GMT
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  • InSilicoInSilico Posts: 52
    edited 2008-09-24 10:03
    Thanks for all of your suggestions! I might just get the Molex SL connectors then since I'm horribly inexperienced with picking out connectors.

    The only reason why I'm not going for the DF11 series is because my (already fabricated) boards use 2.54mm centerlines for the connectors -·a little late to go back now. I'm a stickler·for 0.1" centerlines because it's more familiar to me...

    But thanks for taking the time to answer. I would never figured out the kajillion different possible connector configurations I could use.
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