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Post by loopier on Dec 17, 2019 10:43:20 GMT
Hey,
I've made a couple of simple modules on one-sided perf-boards. When time has come to solder the bus connector I find that –in order to keep it in the under-side of the board when installed in the case– it has to go on the "bad" side, that is the opposite side of the rest of the components where the pins should be soldered. That makes it impossible to solder because it's upside down. I managed to solder it keeping a small space so I can access the metal to solder the pins (see photo).
But that's a pain to solder and I'm sure there is a better way. How do you do it to avoid this problem and keep the bus on the under-side of the board?
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Post by NightMachines on Dec 17, 2019 12:30:32 GMT
That’s why I like double sided boards. There you can solder from both directions.
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Post by thetechnobear on Dec 17, 2019 17:58:28 GMT
yeah, protoboards are a pain  I ordered / received an interesting one from thonk a while back.  www.thonk.co.uk/shop/sourcery-proto/(you can zoom in on the thonk site) it is exactly the same size as the multi-fx module (2U) , its dual sided, IC centre row, and also many dual linked holes. its designed for eurorack, but I i think it will work really well for AE modular. the only thing I think I need to do is drill two/four holes for the standoffs to go thru. still not got around to a test project, but if it works well, I'll be order a bunch more  ----- i actually found these when i was looking for Eurorack diy boards, and found these www.thonk.co.uk/shop/delptronics-construction-sets/ |
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ben
Full Member
Posts: 123
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Post by ben on Dec 17, 2019 20:58:02 GMT
On most of my diy modules I'm only using +5V and Ground connections, so in that case only having two wires hanging out. But in other cases I prefer still to use thin cables than a sturdy socket - a bit easier to solder and more flexible/saves the precious space |
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Post by rodney on Dec 17, 2019 23:13:49 GMT
Here's how to do it with the IDC header you have in the picture.
I'll try and post a photo as I'll probably do this again soon.
with an IDC header or a snap-off header, you can slide the pins temporarily through the plastic mounting to give yourself some room for soldering.
Get a rigid tool of some sort and use it from the top to carefully push the pins through until they are nearly flush with the plastic housing. Then, they will be long enough to solder to the perf board without setting fire to the plastic part. Carefully solder it in, making sure the pins are all at a uniform height.
Once done, just slide the plastic part back down to where it should be so the pins can fit the bus cable header.
in general, try cleaning the perf board with alcohol and 'tinning' it with solder before you start so you increase chance of success. |
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Post by loopier on Dec 18, 2019 9:04:02 GMT
That’s why I like double sided boards. There you can solder from both directions. Yeah, I was considering using double-sided boards, but for just one component seemed kind of overkilling. yeah, protoboards are a pain I ordered / received an interesting one from thonk a while back. www.thonk.co.uk/shop/sourcery-proto/(you can zoom in on the thonk site) it is exactly the same size as the multi-fx module (2U) , its dual sided, IC centre row, and also many dual linked holes. its designed for eurorack, but I i think it will work really well for AE modular. the only thing I think I need to do is drill two/four holes for the standoffs to go thru. still not got around to a test project, but if it works well, I'll be order a bunch more Theses look pretty nifty! Too bad the space reserved for the bus is not compatible, but the rest of the board looks really thought for AEM porotyping. I think I'll get one or two fo them as well. Thanks for sharing. I'd love to see those pictures of the board in use, so please do post them when you have'em! |
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Post by loopier on Dec 18, 2019 9:04:50 GMT
Here's how to do it with the IDC header you have in the picture.
I'll try and post a photo as I'll probably do this again soon.
with an IDC header or a snap-off header, you can slide the pins temporarily through the plastic mounting to give yourself some room for soldering.
Get a rigid tool of some sort and use it from the top to carefully push the pins through until they are nearly flush with the plastic housing. Then, they will be long enough to solder to the perf board without setting fire to the plastic part. Carefully solder it in, making sure the pins are all at a uniform height.
Once done, just slide the plastic part back down to where it should be so the pins can fit the bus cable header.
in general, try cleaning the perf board with alcohol and 'tinning' it with solder before you start so you increase chance of success. Hadn't thought of that! I'll give it a try, thanks! |
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Post by thetechnobear on Dec 18, 2019 13:45:55 GMT
That’s why I like double sided boards. There you can solder from both directions. Yeah, I was considering using double-sided boards, but for just one component seemed kind of overkilling. given the AE modules are often pretty small, I end up using both sides of the boards quite frequently to get some more space for components and wires. a trick i like to do i drill a couple of holes in the protoboard, so I can can take wires from one side to the other, |
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Post by loopier on Dec 18, 2019 18:37:06 GMT
Yeah, I was considering using double-sided boards, but for just one component seemed kind of overkilling. given the AE modules are often pretty small, I end up using both sides of the boards quite frequently to get some more space for components and wires. a trick i like to do i drill a couple of holes in the protoboard, so I can can take wires from one side to the other, You're right, that might save some space. The through-hole cable idea is very good, thx. I'll give it a try. |
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Post by loopier on Jan 28, 2020 13:26:03 GMT
That’s why I like double sided boards. There you can solder from both directions. Hey, do you have any links to 10x10cm double-sided pcb providers? |
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Post by NightMachines on Jan 28, 2020 19:58:55 GMT
That’s why I like double sided boards. There you can solder from both directions. Hey, do you have any links to 10x10cm double-sided pcb providers? I bought my last ones from Amazon, see the DIY Shopping List thread here forum.aemodular.com/thread/358/modular-synth-diy-shopping-lists... but you can get them anywhere else too. AliExpress should have them as well. |
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Post by loopier on Jan 29, 2020 15:01:30 GMT
Thanks. I did buy those listed, but they are one-sided (aren't they?). I've been looking for double-sided 10x10 but I haven't been able to find any. |
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Post by NightMachines on Jan 29, 2020 17:26:17 GMT
Ah sorry, you’re right! Hm, then it must have been AliExpress with the double sided ones.
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