[sdiy] PCB connectors

[The Peasant]

I have seen more bad connections and intermittants with 
Molex type connectors than anything else. In particular, 
the type that slides a flat contact against one side of a 
square pin are terrible connectors. If you are going to use 
Molex connectors, use the type with the round pins and 
sockets, they are FAR more reliable.

I do like the screw terminal type connectors, but if you 
have a lot of connections to the board this can get messy.

IMHO, soldering wires directly to the pcb gives best 
results. If you plan the layout carefully you can place all 
the wires along one edge so that it can swing out for 
repairs. Just MHO.

Take care,
Doug
______________________
The Electronic Peasant

www.electronicpeasant.com


Quoting Paul Higgins <higg0008 at tc.umn.edu>:

> I was just wondering what types of connectors people like
> to use on 
> PCBs for outboard controls, etc.  I've used any number of
> types, from 
> Molex/AMP style connectors for power, to the little
> screw-type 
> connectors (they're like mini barrier strips) for
> interconnections 
> between boards (especially with protoboard).  Of course,
> I have also 
> used the little push-in terminals for protoboard as well.
>  The only 
> problem with those is that they're not terribly
> convenient if the board 
> needs to be pulled out for service, necessitating the
> de-soldering of 
> nearly all outboard connections..
> 
> Can anyone recommend a decent type of plug-in connector
> for wires to 
> pots, switches, etc. (20-24 AWG wire) that is polarized
> and (hopefully) 
> can be used with any crimping tool, particularly not a
> proprietary one 
> that costs $800?
> 
> Thanks in advance.
> 
> -PRH
> 
> Paul R. Higgins
> email: higg0008 at tc.umn.edu
> 
>