quick connect terminal blocks

[jpliberato]

Hi everybody,

I'm trying to build my first arcade control.  My goal is to build a cabinet, but I'll start with just a control.

I'm a software geek, but I don't have much experience with hardware (I mean, hacking hardware).  Well, at least I know how to use a solder iron.

My question is very simple.  I'd like to know exactly how a quick connect terminal block works.  Let's say I'm trying to hack a keyboard.  I think I'd solder just one wire on each solder point on the keyboard pcb, and solder that wire on the terminal block.  And, after that, I could connect as many wires as I want in the terminal block.  Is that right?  The problem is that I can't go to a store and ask for a terminal block, because I don't know what it is!  I've never heard about it (since I have no eletronics or eletric experience) and I don't know the name of that thing in portuguese (I'm in Brazil).

Hence, if I get a better description of the device, I have a better chance to find it at a local store.

Thanks a lot!

[Gameboy.au]

Are you refering to bus-rails (bus bars)?

They are made of copper with screws and you join all your (/ground/) wiring to the bus-rail and then have one wire from that going to your common ground for all the buttons.

http://www.stormcopper.com/design/Electrical-Ground-Bar-2x24htm.htm

(Obviously the one you want would be smaler.

[whammoed]

I like the european style terminal blocks best:
http://www.globalsources.com/gsol/I/Terminal-block-manufacturers/p/2000000003844/3000000157668/8809769675.htm
no need to solder with terminal blocks.  just screw wires into both sides.  I would recommend, however, that you get an ipac or keywhiz instead of hacking a keyboard.  I have hacked more keyboards than i care to remember and both my projects ended up with IPACs inside.

[Craig]

I agree. I have hacked a keyboard which took me hours of work and ended up dumping it and going for a IPAC2. It is tidier and worth paying money for.

[brained]

Hi everybody,

I'm trying to build my first arcade control.  My goal is to build a cabinet, but I'll start with just a control.

I'm a software geek, but I don't have much experience with hardware (I mean, hacking hardware).  Well, at least I know how to use a solder iron.

My question is very simple.  I'd like to know exactly how a quick connect terminal block works.  Let's say I'm trying to hack a keyboard.  I think I'd solder just one wire on each solder point on the keyboard pcb, and solder that wire on the terminal block.  And, after that, I could connect as many wires as I want in the terminal block.  Is that right?  The problem is that I can't go to a store and ask for a terminal block, because I don't know what it is!  I've never heard about it (since I have no eletronics or eletric experience) and I don't know the name of that thing in portuguese (I'm in Brazil).

Hence, if I get a better description of the device, I have a better chance to find it at a local store.

Thanks a lot!

Look for it in an electronics shop, they'll know what your looking for!! say:

"eu estou procurando um bloco terminal para conectar fios.

[mcdo15]

I like the european style terminal blocks best:
http://www.globalsources.com/gsol/I/Terminal-block-manufacturers/p/2000000003844/3000000157668/8809769675.htm
no need to solder with terminal blocks.  just screw wires into both sides.  I would recommend, however, that you get an ipac or keywhiz instead of hacking a keyboard.  I have hacked more keyboards than i care to remember and both my projects ended up with IPACs inside.

radio shack has these..im using this to build mine now