Results 1 to 5 of 5
  1. #1
    300+ Forum Addict



    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Tampa
    Posts
    487
    Contribute If you enjoy reading the
    content here, click the below
    image to support MyCockpit site.
    Click Here To Contribute To Our Site

    Conenctions to panel electronics

    Hi all,

    I was wondering what method everyone uses to connect the panel electronics to the I/O cards? I was thinking to put the spring-loaded terminal blocks like the ones on the Bodnar cards on my panel circuit boards, and then use plain old hookup wire to connect to the I/O cards breakout boards. Seems like an easy way to keep everything easy to re-configure. I had previously connect the hardware (encoders,etc) directly to the breakout boards, but it was very cumbersome to make changes. I have a DB15 on the panel to connect the digits board to the displays card header board I made. What other methods do you use?

    Buddy

  2. #2
    500+ This must be a daytime job



    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Juneau, AK
    Posts
    547
    Contribute If you enjoy reading the
    content here, click the below
    image to support MyCockpit site.
    Click Here To Contribute To Our Site

    Re: Conenctions to panel electronics

    Nothing as easy to use as the spring clips in my setup. One board had wires soldered directly to the pcb, one came with male header pins on the board requiring me solder wires to female plugs. (avoid this if you can unless you really love solder tiny pieces together.) This allows you to move the plugs from pin set to pin set. These connections are not very secure, and I would not buy that style again. My only other interface right now is a hack of my ch yoke to repurpose the pots on the three stupid little levers.

    Hope that helps!

    Quote Originally Posted by Buddym View Post
    Hi all,

    I was wondering what method everyone uses to connect the panel electronics to the I/O cards? I was thinking to put the spring-loaded terminal blocks like the ones on the Bodnar cards on my panel circuit boards, and then use plain old hookup wire to connect to the I/O cards breakout boards. Seems like an easy way to keep everything easy to re-configure. I had previously connect the hardware (encoders,etc) directly to the breakout boards, but it was very cumbersome to make changes. I have a DB15 on the panel to connect the digits board to the displays card header board I made. What other methods do you use?

    Buddy
    http://juneaucessnasim.blogspot.com
    N58243 (virtual)- Low and Slow...

  3. #3
    300+ Forum Addict



    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Tampa
    Posts
    487
    Contribute If you enjoy reading the
    content here, click the below
    image to support MyCockpit site.
    Click Here To Contribute To Our Site

    Re: Conenctions to panel electronics

    Yeah, I really would like to put connectors on all panels, but the pin grouping for grounds on the IOCards causes me to want to leave room for on-the-fly wiring changes that would be difficult if everything were hard-wired or fully connectorized. The spring terminals are cheap enough from digikey and mouser, come in lots of various pin counts, and work great. (Just another great reason to thank Leo Bodnar again!). I orders several different ones to evaluate for putting on my MJOY and Igor Plug boards and I love them. I snagged a couple of them to put on my captain-side EFIS, seems like the right fit. I know a properly engineered and implemented setup wouldn't need so much flexibility, but I know I will want to change things many times as the cockpit matures. The electronics side of things is my strong suit, so I try and go a little extra in that regard... my mechanical skills leave much to be desired!
    Buddy

  4. #4
    Warren fsaviator's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Dupont, WA
    Posts
    488
    Contribute If you enjoy reading the
    content here, click the below
    image to support MyCockpit site.
    Click Here To Contribute To Our Site

    Re: Conenctions to panel electronics

    Buddy,

    do you have a digi-key or mouser part number for the spring clips? I'm interested in giving it a try.

    warren

  5. #5
    300+ Forum Addict



    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Tampa
    Posts
    487
    Contribute If you enjoy reading the
    content here, click the below
    image to support MyCockpit site.
    Click Here To Contribute To Our Site

    Re: Conenctions to panel electronics

    yeah, look at mouser # 651-1990083 and 651-1990164, i think those are the ones that have 10 an 18 contacts


    Buddy

Similar Threads

  1. Some electronics help needed!
    By Jordan Farmer in forum Interfacing Real Aviation Parts
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 01-30-2011, 09:27 PM
  2. Learn (some) Electronics HERE: Electronics simulator (freeware)
    By Hessel Oosten in forum General Aviation (GA) Builder Disccusion
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 10-02-2010, 01:05 PM
  3. Panels with electronics
    By PittsburghLever in forum MyCockpit Support:
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 07-29-2009, 11:41 AM
  4. Electronics Help!
    By Geremy Britton in forum General Builder Questions All Aircraft Types
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 08-21-2007, 06:25 PM
  5. Electronics
    By droddis in forum Where to Start Building a Home Cockpit
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 06-29-2007, 09:23 AM