6 pin male header for Arduino Pro Mini

Using Arduino Microcontrollers
1

I'm having a hell of a time finding a 90 degree angle simple male header here in the UK.

Can anyone tell me if this one is okay to use with the Arduino Pro Mini? Or is it only good for the Arduino Lillypad?

http://proto-pic.co.uk/6-pin-right-angle-male-smd-header/

Please forgive me, I'm a newbie!

2

Okay what I've done is just buy a breakaway header that I apparently can use. However, instead of connecting the Arduino Pro Mini directly to the Bluetooth Mate Silver, I would like to do so with a cable connector.

What I need to know therefore is what sort of cable to use? Obviously there will be 6 wires, but I don't know what its called. Anyone know?

Thanks guys.

3

I use things like these

I've seen similar on e-bay with 40 conductor ribbon cable with a single pin housing on each wire on each end.

4

Thank you. I guess I'll try and make my own ribbon using some of those cramping connector things with some wire.

5

I think this is the one you need:
http://proto-pic.co.uk/break-away-headers-right-angle/

6

You can buy pre-made cables female to male and male to male on Electrodragon
40 pin Female to Male $2.30 W/single pin shells
http://www.electrodragon.com/?product=prototype-cable-female-and-male-end-40p
40 wire cable W crimped connectors for .025 Sq pins $1.50 (No shellls on pins)
http://www.electrodragon.com/?product=raw-dupont-cables-with-metal-insert-40p
and the shells for the pins form $0.24 / 50 pcs (single pin) 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 pin and the shells for the pins on the cable above.
http://www.electrodragon.com/?product=dupont-prototype-jumper-cable-terminal-end-50-pcs
These are what I use to make "Custom" cables for different applications I have a full 40 pin Male to female connecting an Itead 3.2" LDC to a shield on a Mega, works well.

Doc

7

Thanks mini, you're a star! I actually ended up getting the breakaway header you suggested. Looks like I'll be able to make the cable 4 wire cable ill need for my HC-SR04 sensor.

8

I was just about to place my order when I found out that I might possibly need a crimping tool. Is this necessary for making my own cables?

I assume that if I'm using wires with pre-crimped terminals this is not necessary?

9

Yes... If at all possible use Pre-crimped wires/cables. The Crimper is pricey and there is a learning curve associated with making "Good" crimps... In other words, I would spend some time and "Ends" or crimp fittings practicing first. It's not too likely that your first few attempts will be successful. A good test is to crimp the end on... remembering that the fitting has 2 elements, A "wire" grip and an "insulation" grip, both must be correctly crimped at the same time. A good test for a proper crimp or "Gas Tight" (Exclusion of air) is simply to tug on the end while holding the wire. A really good one will break the wire rather than pull out of the end or fitting. If the wire pulls out easily it wasn't tight enough. The idea of air tight means that air and it's possible corrosive components are excluded from the crimp itself thereby insuring a long term stable connection. I might point out that with the right wire and a less than ideal crimper soldering the actual "Wire" crimp part will insure a good connection.
You must however have mastered the "Art" of soldering. The commonality of all above is experience and good work practice. IMO\

Bob.