Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Searcher7 on February 08, 2007, 11:18:11 pm

Title: Terminal Blocks
Post by: Searcher7 on February 08, 2007, 11:18:11 pm
I have a load of terminal blocks. Most are the single row screw-type that have the pins sticking out of the back.

Is there any way to use these to extend the reach of the leads from an IDE cable?

How would one secure them in the control panel?

Ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Darren
Title: Re: Terminal Blocks
Post by: NickG on February 08, 2007, 11:41:51 pm
If I understand correctly, you may find a piece of stripboard or an IDE breakout PCB useful.  Some stripboards already have mounting-screw holes and parallel traces across them.  You could solder some of the single row terminal blocks on each side of it and attached the IDE leads on one side and the whatever you need to extend them with on the other.  This setup only has a few advantages over getting or using the two-screw type blocks; such as easily adding additional circuitry or breaking out an IDE ribbon cable without separating the individual wires.

Title: Re: Terminal Blocks
Post by: Searcher7 on February 09, 2007, 08:33:01 pm
If I understand correctly, you may find a piece of stripboard or an IDE breakout PCB useful.  Some stripboards already have mounting-screw holes and parallel traces across them.  You could solder some of the single row terminal blocks on each side of it and attached the IDE leads on one side and the whatever you need to extend them with on the other.  This setup only has a few advantages over getting or using the two-screw type blocks; such as easily adding additional circuitry or breaking out an IDE ribbon cable without separating the individual wires.

Boy, that was confusing.

I'm assuming that the stripboard would use stand-offs. The screws would be on one side and the pins would protrude out from the opposite(bottom) side.

Soldering would be a problem though. Are there any crimp-on connectors for individual wires that can be used instead?

Also, I don't see a way around stripping the IDE cable becuase it is not wide enough to cover enough pins.(And that is if the spacing is correct).

Thanks.

Darren
Title: Re: Terminal Blocks
Post by: NickG on February 09, 2007, 08:57:33 pm
Also, I don't see a way around stripping the IDE cable becuase it is not wide enough to cover enough pins.(And that is if the spacing is correct).
how to not have to strip an ide cable (link) (http://www.winfordeng.com/products/brk2x20.php)


Title: Re: Terminal Blocks
Post by: Searcher7 on February 09, 2007, 10:59:28 pm
Also, I don't see a way around stripping the IDE cable becuase it is not wide enough to cover enough pins.(And that is if the spacing is correct).
how to not have to strip an ide cable (link) (http://www.winfordeng.com/products/brk2x20.php)

Again, This still doesn't make sense to me.

It sounds as though you are saying that one can fit and secure enough single row terminal block pins in those holes on the breakout board.

Darren
Title: Re: Terminal Blocks
Post by: NickG on February 10, 2007, 05:28:13 am
the unstripped ide cable connector attaches at the 40-pin connector (black)  on the left side of such a board.  the extension cables are connected to the green screw terminal at the right side. 
I thought you had terminal blocks similar to those that are green in the linked product.  What I was saying is that you can use the terminal blocks you have to build a board such as the one in the link.  You would need additonal parts: stripboard, some header pins, and some jumper wire.
Title: Re: Terminal Blocks
Post by: Searcher7 on February 10, 2007, 10:27:49 am
the unstripped ide cable connector attaches at the 40-pin connector (black)  on the left side of such a board.  the extension cables are connected to the green screw terminal at the right side. 
I thought you had terminal blocks similar to those that are green in the linked product.  What I was saying is that you can use the terminal blocks you have to build a board such as the one in the link.  You would need additonal parts: stripboard, some header pins, and some jumper wire.

Ok, I'll start over.

I have a huge number of the terminal blocks shown in the pic.

Is there a way to secure and use them in a control panel?

I'd of course have to split the wires of an IDE cable, but is there a way, outside of soldering, to connect those wires to the pins?

As for the screws on the other side, I will connect 18g wires to them and run them to the controls.


Thanks.

Darren
Title: Re: Terminal Blocks
Post by: SavannahLion on February 10, 2007, 12:23:07 pm
Don't know if it's appropariate for your application but maybe Wire Wrapping? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wire-wrapping)

Here's a pic of the end result (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Wire_Wrapping.jpg).

I've seen some people really take this all the way building entire circuit boards complete with traces using this method.

edit: took me forever to find it, but here's an example of circuit boards wired entirely with wire wrapping. (http://elm-chan.org/docs/wire/wiring_e.html)
Title: Re: Terminal Blocks
Post by: Searcher7 on February 10, 2007, 04:23:55 pm
Don't know if it's appropariate for your application but maybe Wire Wrapping? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wire-wrapping)

Here's a pic of the end result (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Wire_Wrapping.jpg).

I've seen some people really take this all the way building entire circuit boards complete with traces using this method.

Iknow nothing at all about "wire wrap". I'd have to learn how to do that and then figure out from there if it is plausible for this project.

Connecting leads to pins is still my biggest hold-up.

Darren