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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: runawayabc123 on July 10, 2011, 08:40:58 pm

Title: Circuit Writer pen for PCB traces vs Bus wire
Post by: runawayabc123 on July 10, 2011, 08:40:58 pm: I am going to be making my own PCB for building a jamma switch. ;D

I will be running the video, speakers and buttons/switches/joysticks as well as many 5v relays on the PCB (bigger hardwired relays for power are NOT on the PCB).

My questions is should I use a CircuitWriter pen or Bus wire (24awg solid)?

The pen is here:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3964901 (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3964901)

Bus wire is here: (I can get about 125 feet for the cost of the pen)
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102500 (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102500)

Suggestsion?

I plan to be able to switch between 12+ boards... so I will be doing whatever I do a lot.

I am NOT using a canned solution because I need light gun support, 3/4 player support and -5v support. So, no matter what I do, I have to do a bit myself. (I only have 2 standard jamma 2 player boards, everything else of 3/4 or light gun.)

Let me know what you think?
Title: Re: Circuit Writer pen for PCB traces vs Bus wire
Post by: lilshawn on July 10, 2011, 11:15:39 pm: Quote from: runawayabc123 on July 10, 2011, 08:40:58 pm
My questions is should I use a CircuitWriter pen or Bus wire (24awg solid)?

I plan to be able to switch between 12+ boards... so I will be doing whatever I do a lot.

good luck with that... i'd like to see some pics.

i wouldn't go with the conductive pen... it doesn't solder well.

as for P2P wiring... i dunno, lots of points of failure.

perhaps investing in a DIY circuit board fab kit and a "toner transfer" method of printing/etching. http://www.dr-lex.be/hardware/tonertransfer.html (http://www.dr-lex.be/hardware/tonertransfer.html) it's pretty easy once you get the hang of it. :dunno
Title: Re: Circuit Writer pen for PCB traces vs Bus wire
Post by: jennifer on July 10, 2011, 11:32:19 pm: The pen, kinda more for filling in a bad trace on a board. Making A board is pretty easy though, even with the multible connectivity you require [DIP switches]
Hardwire is kinda this fits that solution.
Title: Re: Circuit Writer pen for PCB traces vs Bus wire
Post by: MonMotha on July 10, 2011, 11:58:47 pm: You can have circuit boards made commercially for about $50-75 in single quantity, depending on PCB size. Those are no frills, but neither are the boards you'll make on your own. I've found that, for the cost of photosensitive copper clad, a good transparency, developer, etchant, drill bits, etc., I can just about have one made for me with one day turn (plus shipping, of course), and I don't have to deal with all of it.

www.barebonespcb.com (http://www.barebonespcb.com) is who I use for cheap, one-off PCBs like this. The same company offers a "$33 each" deal if you want soldermask/silkscreen, but there's a minimum order of 4 for that.

I would not recommend the conductive pen for anything serious. The conductive ink it puts down can't handle much current, nor is it easy to solder to.
Title: Re: Circuit Writer pen for PCB traces vs Bus wire
Post by: danny_galaga on July 11, 2011, 04:38:46 am: If you go monmothas route, you can design your pcb with http://www.freepcb.com/ (http://www.freepcb.com/) . It's quite intuitive, and uses the industry standard files for machining. I've been using it for a project I want duplicated, and so far so good. And if I can use it, anyone can! Freepcb was recommended to me by someone who gets pcbs made all the time. He swears by it, and says it's better than most of the software he's PAID for. Free, AND good! You can't lose ;D
Title: Re: Circuit Writer pen for PCB traces vs Bus wire
Post by: D_Harris on July 11, 2011, 12:15:35 pm: There is some good info at the link near the bottom of this page:

http://www.lupinesystems.com/ (http://www.lupinesystems.com/)

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.
Title: Re: Circuit Writer pen for PCB traces vs Bus wire
Post by: MonMotha on July 11, 2011, 01:47:32 pm: As a note, if you want custom design services...I do that :)
Title: Re: Circuit Writer pen for PCB traces vs Bus wire
Post by: runawayabc123 on July 11, 2011, 09:15:01 pm: Thanks for the suggestions so far.

Circuit Writer pen is out.

Since what I am doing is basically a bunch of switchs, I am going with a 1 layer design. (I also didn't want to deal with tracers crossing over each other.) I am running off of a 12 position switch. (It took a while to find a strong enough DC switch paired to a relay with a coil that it would work with that would do enough for me.)

More details to follow. I am still waiting for my order from allied electronics to show up.

I built a proof of concept, but now it is time for a 1st generation working prototype.

I'll be posting more on this one. But I warn you, it isn't cheap. I have way too much into it now. Failure is NOT an option. :embarassed: All because I wanted to play several light gun games without the hassle of switching jamma connectors.
Title: Re: Circuit Writer pen for PCB traces vs Bus wire
Post by: runawayabc123 on July 14, 2011, 10:08:27 pm: My order got lost in the mail or something... so next week until the replacement order parts show up.

Updates then.