Better options for internal wiring

[marcelomd]

Hi!

So, I finally got some time to finish a few preamps I made in the previous years.

Version 1, 3 and 4 of the same circuit. Clean channel + crunchy channel. For version 4 I split the PCBs so I could update channels independently, maybe build a clean only or dirty only preamp.




Sooo... just look at the wiring. Is there a better way of doing it?


The last one uses an opto MOSFET channel switcher, and, while it works, it took forever to solder everything and I'm not sure it will resist a few bumps.

Also, I like using headers to connect everything because it's easier to take it apart for debugging and modding. But it also makes everything bulky.

Is there a more compact connector that's available for hobbyists?

Thanks!

[GibsonGM]

I think that's quite neat, Marcelo, and like the headers!  The only suggestion I would make is that perhaps you could find a thinner wire gauge for the wiring runs?  That alone would free things up a bit, I'd think.   Very clean work, I see no actual problems there    
 

[Phend]

Working on similar, thinking about wiring the switches going down into the board instead of blind up.
Some humor may help,

[stallik]

I'm experimenting with ribbon cable on a project atm. Has the possibility of making stuff look neater but requires board redesign at both ends to accommodate it...

[PRR]

Some humor

Longer version with intro:
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2j65vd

[bluebunny]

Nice and neat, Marcelo.

I'm experimenting with ribbon cable on a project atm. Has the possibility of making stuff look neater but requires board redesign at both ends to accommodate it...

I've used these, mostly for easy wiring of multiple pots (e.g. Rob's "Abductor" delay):

[Mark Hammer]

Nice and neat, Marcelo.

I'm experimenting with ribbon cable on a project atm. Has the possibility of making stuff look neater but requires board redesign at both ends to accommodate it...

I've used these, mostly for easy wiring of multiple pots (e.g. Rob's "Abductor" delay):

I use those for power routing on my modular setup.  Very handy.  Especially since it allows me to easily move any module from cabinet to cabinet.

[PRR]

I've used these......................

Image not showing for me. Dunno if WEBP or cuz eBay.

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/m7YAAOSwiZ1kYfZX/s-l960.webp

Yah, looks handy for pots.

[amptramp]

Anyone up for doing this in cordwood construction?  Yeah, that's the answer.  **dodges rotten tomatoes**

[printer2]

I've used these, mostly for easy wiring of multiple pots (e.g. Rob's "Abductor" delay):

I have used a three wire version for a tube amp PI or Mosfet follower.

[drdn0]

Ribbon cables make everything look good. Failing that, buying bulk pre-tinned JST-XH's or similar and using pin headers can work.

The good thing about using a 0.1" pitch is there are dozen of plug options that will fit with that spacing.

[bean]

Ribbon cables make everything look good. Failing that, buying bulk pre-tinned JST-XH's or similar and using pin headers can work.

The good thing about using a 0.1" pitch is there are dozen of plug options that will fit with that spacing.

That's interesting. Do you orient that pedal with the jacks at the bottom or the pot control?

[marcelomd]

JST connectors are nice. The cable part is shorter than the DuPont standard. The sockets, though, are bigger for small number of positions (2-4) because of the shroud/lock take some space.

OTOH, JST connectors are the worst. You have 4235875642583476 series to choose from. All alike. But you can never know, because every single white connector gets called "JST" on stores that are not Mouser and Digikey. E.g. I found "JST SH" connectors from 0.8 to 2.50mm pitch in hobbyist stores here. Officially they are 1.0mm.

For stacking, the easiest solution I could find is using this:




Except the male part is super hard to find.

I also wanted a socket with a super long tail, so I could stack several boards. I know it exists, but impossible to find even in Mouser.

[drdn0]

That's interesting. Do you orient that pedal with the jacks at the bottom or the pot control?

Jacks at the bottom. Did it because I originally hadn't looked for more compact jacks when I started designing stuff for workshops over here and wasn't happy with side-mount options, and 120 or so pedals later it has sort of stuck.

Works fairly well on all the pedalboards these are living on.

[PRR]

OTOH, JST connectors ....4235875642583476 series to choose from. All alike. ....every single white connector gets called "JST".... I found "JST SH" connectors from 0.8 to 2.50mm pitch

"JST manufactures numerous series (families) and pitches (pin-to-pin distance) of connectors."  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JST_connector

https://www.jst-mfg.com/index_e.php
https://www.jst-mfg.com/

[marcelomd]

OTOH, JST connectors ....4235875642583476 series to choose from. All alike. ....every single white connector gets called "JST".... I found "JST SH" connectors from 0.8 to 2.50mm pitch

"JST manufactures numerous series (families) and pitches (pin-to-pin distance) of connectors."  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JST_connector

https://www.jst-mfg.com/index_e.php
https://www.jst-mfg.com/

That's what I'm talking about. Reading the wiki I liked the SH (1.0mm) family. There's 10+ 1.0mm SH-like variations in the JST site. APSH, CSH, NSH, SHJ, etc. Not sure if they are compatible at all.

Then I looked for shat was available in stores here. Google "JST SH" and the first 20 listings are for "JST SH1 1.25mm header". There's also "JST SH2 1.00mm header", but who knows if it actually matches SH housing?

EDIT: I could use these similar ones, but the problem is not having the datasheet or footprint (the smaller ones are SMD). If I buy a batch now, and take the time to create the footprint, how can I be sure I'll ever find matching ones again?

[bluebunny]

I found that you need to look for "2.54mm" in the product listing.  This is the one I posted the picture from (eBay UK).

[marcelomd]

I found that you need to look for "2.54mm" in the product listing.  This is the one I posted the picture from (eBay UK).

I think XH is the more common one and maybe what I'll end up using. It's already better (lower profile) than DuPont. I wanted to try the smaller sizes though. Maybe have the connectors assembled in CN as well.

[PRR]

just look at the wiring. Is there a better way of doing it?

Wrong fluid, and won't work in our climate, but I really like this. Mistakes easy to see, leaks obvious, repairs out in the open.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/YTXqQy-X17g?feature=share

[Jarno]

The company I work for have a site in Germany, and they have plumbing like that for various gasses and fluids, a work of art. Our site in NL is different, all of the old plumbing stays in, so sometimes you encounter remnants of old piping.

Regarding wiring of stompboxes, somebody on the muffwiggler forum procured a palletload of 80's vintage rainbow ribbon cable, so I bought 5 rolls from him, 15 years ago, still using that. Hugely helpful to have the three wires of a pot (for instance) kept together and different colours.
Even though I worked for Tyco Electronics, a little bit weary of connectors, best connector is no connector at all (for reliability, serviceability is another matter).