Raspberry Pi Forums

I've looked all over the web for ideas before posting, but am not finding much.

I'm trying to find out if there is a cheap, simple, and reliable type connector to use for a more semi-permanent installation of GPIO devices. I'm thinking something along the lines of a barrel plug, headphone jack, etc. I want to ditch the breadboards and make it more robust.

I'm looking for something similar to this, but I'm not quite sure what these connectors are called, or how available and simple to install the male connectors on the other side are.
http://raspberrypihobbyist.blogspot.com ... oller.html
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pyT8GBiFuy4/V ... C_0002.jpg

Ideally, I'm sort of thinking it could be nice to have one step better. Like if there was something you could find in a nice strip of 5-10 stereo headphone style receptacles (or similar), that would have the grounds, and 3.3v or 5v rails already bonded, plus have a connection for voltage, and a sensor connection. This would allow a secure connection of any 3 wire sensor device.

You could simply install that strip in your project box, connect the rail to 3.3v, the other rail to ground, and then connect each of the 5-10 ports to the proper gpio pin. Then hopefully the other male connector is equally easy to connect on the sensor wires. You would instantly have 5-10 very durable connections

Does anything similar to this exist? If not, anyone have suggestions for the next best thing?

I think the best compromise that has come up over the years is the Grove type connector that is commonly used in Ardunio shields


http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/Grove- ... p-789.html

http://www.rapidonline.com/electronic-c ... gwodvgeiya

It has the advantage of 4 pins which is needed for devices that use gnd/pwr and 2 signal wires

Matthew

You need to be careful if you use a type of connector that is already used on the same equipment. It is very easy to create a situation where the wrong plug can go in the wrong socket, and that can cause damage. Use something that is unique in your project, preferably in the whole environment where the project is used.

Have you considered using the proper plug for the GPIO header, with a ribbon cable to the board with the rest of your electronics? If you need something for individual sensors, there are a couple of ranges of connector that can be used in ways that are unlikely to cause compatibility problems. For example, 4-pin, 240 degree 5-pin (not 180 degree, too common on audio equipment) and 6-pin DIN connectors, 9-pin and 15-pin D connectors (on 9-pin, avoid the pins used for the most common serial connections).

Do you know Murphy's Law*: "If anything can go wrong, it will" ?

And another equally important saying: "The trouble with making anything foolproof, is that fools are so ingenious."

* Despite its widespread recognition, Murphy's Law is undervalued as a principle for improving the success and safety of engineering projects. Look it up on Wikipedia.

This would work, if you don't mind turning a screwdriver.

https://www.adafruit.com/products/2711

And the GPIO is still usable. Resettable 5V & 3.3V fuses. Not exactly cheap though.

I use Mikrobus see http://www.mikroe.com/click/pi2-shield/

And Mikrobus Proto boards see https://github.com/KeithSloan/Mikrobus-Proto

Having invested in a Mikrobus shield the Proto boards cost less than £15.00 for 10 boards from ITEAD https://www.itead.cc/open-pcb/pcb-prototyping.html

You can use two boards on one shield.