Breadboarding screw terminals

[bjh]

I have a ton of ideas about breadboarding and prototyping (and a lot more to learn!) some of these I feel like I should've realized sooner, but hopefully they'll help others who, like me, didn't yet notice, here's one: 3.5mm terminal blocks like these fit perfectly on a 45º angle into a breadboard's power rails and hold good-and-tight.  Even slightly heavier-duty 0.2" ones fit pretty well in a knight's-move (two-over-one-down) also.  I've attached a picture.  Now all of my breadboards will have screw terminals - power inputs are, by far, the ones I've had the most trouble with pulling loose.

[MichaelMeissner]

Yep, though I find that being on an angle bothers me.


I've recently picked up a spring terminal with 6 connections from a local retailer (You-do-it electronics) that carries Sparkfun products: [size=78%]https://www.sparkfun.com/products/8077[/size].  You can get them for 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 terminals.


In looking around, I found you can get the same terminals cheaper at pololu, and you can get terminals with the top or side mounts: [size=78%]http://www.pololu.com/catalog/category/117[/size].


One problem with the spring terminals is attaching them to the digispark, you only have the one row of pins, while these units have two rows on them.  I picked up the following at dipmicro that allow me to make removable connections for 2-10 pins.  Unfortunately this is currently sold out, but presumably they will restock shortly (you can get sets of 6 male/female headers, but the crimp pins are also sold out): [size=78%]http://www.dipmicro.com/store/SET-HDR[/size]


For screw terminals instead of spring terminals, I have seen terminals in groups of ten connections that fit on a breadboard.  [size=78%]http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-Screw-Solderless-Breadboard-Plug-In-Assy-Kit-NEW-GREAT-for-EDU-400096-/160761553537?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item256e22a281[/size]

[semicolo]

You can find these 3.5mm screw terminals  on deal extreme for half the price (do a search for Cable Wire Terminal Connectors)
What I like about these online shops in china (or ebay) is shipping is free (but sloooow, that's ok if you're patient)

[dougal]

Yeah, patience is hard. But the prices are hard to beat.


Of course, I say that realizing that I've spent about $300 on eBay items over the last couple of months... (but $200 of that was for 2 AI-Ball battery powered WiFi cameras).

[semicolo]

Yes it adds up fast but simple electronic components like resistors are a lot cheaper on ebay/dx and the like because shipping is free.