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[on:]

Are there easy to attach screw terminals for the Arduino Mega? Or another robust type of system to (re)wire instead of fooling around with soldered wires all over the place? I saw a couple of Screw terminal shields, like this one
http://shop.vetcosurplus.com/catalog/images/VUPN5976-1.jpg

But the problem is that the Mega also has a double row of pins, as far as I know there aren't shields for that.

One option is to solder wires from the Arduino bottom to a screw terminal, then go further from that point. But maybe there are nicer plug-and-play solutions? One cool solution would be to have a connector+wires that can be plugged on the (double) rows of the Mega, and then on the other side on a string of screw terminals. I have little knowledge about such components though, so I need a push.


Maybe I should ask this in a different topic, but since its related to the wiring chaos... I have 3 encoders, each with 1 wire to the ground, 2 to pinA/B, and those 2 wires also go to the 5V via 10Kohm connectors. All in all, quite a mess. The goal is to put it all in a box later on, so having it ordered/grouped a bit would be nice. Tips?

Thanks,
Rick

[Reply #1 on:]

So something like this but for more terminals?
http://www.ruggedcircuits.com/html/aussie_shield.html

And something like this but with resistors added?
http://arduino-direct.com/sunshop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=271

[Reply #2 on:]

Hi CrossRoads, thanks for the links.

Yes, a shield like that would be a good start (including the pins so I can mount another shield on top). Only problem is that these shields still do not provide terminals for the double row on the Arduino Mega (pin 22..52 I believe), while quite a lot of our wires also come from that "block". But now that I look at it... isn't there just an universal connector that exactly fits on it? That wouldn't give us screw terminals in that case, but at least you won't have to solder a lot of wires on the Arduino, creating spaghetti.

The encoder + socket is also a better start. The more we can group cables, the better. Then maybe put all the resistors together on a little panel, leading the wires further to the Arduino. Sorry if I sound a bit dumb, programmed a lot but never made an electronic device before!

Nice sites btw, I hope they ship in the Netherlands too!

[Reply #3 on:]

Just came across this:
http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/1-282834-2/A98075-ND/1826938
which were also mounted on this Arduino Mini board:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36749491@N00/4796456051

So I suppose that would fit (am I right the pins on an arduino have 2.54mm distance between each?). That still wouldn't solve the problem with the double rows on the Mega, but it should give me enough terminals to do the job.

Can someone confirm these would fit? Thanks!

[Reply #4 on:]

So you're really after a shield with regular female headers to maintain stackability, and screw terminals to have a secure place to connect wires, with dual row of screw terminals perhaps like these:
http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/1708084/277-1362-ND/267551

[Reply #5 on:]

If your planning on getting it all on a box the best way id say is to make a custom shield( about 15$ on batchpcb + handling) and have individual connectors for each peripheral with all its needed connections neeatly in a row to use a regular straight jumper cable between the two
I had an lcd screen that took 20 pins scattered cross my mega, as well as about 8 other peripherals tht needed between 4 and 8 connections each
made it all into a shield that is easy to use, labeled well and quite neat

[Reply #6 on:]

Thanks for the hints guys!
Ordered the screw terminals, so that should do the job. I grouped all I/O in terminal blocks so that the wires could be bundled together rather than flying through the whole box. So one block for the LCD, another for encoders & buttons, et cetera.

There is already a prototype shield on top, since it has a handy foot for a XBee, but maybe using an extra larger blanc shield would be a good idea indeed to put on the resistors and such.

All in all the less different components, the better. If we have to replace parts or make an extra one over 2 years, it shouldn't become too much of a puzzle to find & build all components again. That's why I'm a bit wary with buying special shields. Screw terminal strips are available in any shop, but shields made for a special purpose... Still doubting a bit if I shouldn't just use a PLC, but it's a fun and learnful project (and cheaper)

Thanks,
Rick

[Reply #7 on:]

PLC?

[Reply #8 on:]

Battch pcb I've you two pcbs for every one you order, so you would have a spare if needed
And so long as you have the design files you can always get another, the design file would also allow someone else to build the board

[Reply #9 on:]

I don't want to get into "this service is  better than that service" kind of discussion.
Everyone has their own price points they can live with.
I demand the same kind of build capability that I work with , even if its just 2 layers and not 16 with multiple ground & power planes.
iteadstudio has shown they can do that, with support for finer traces and smaller holes.
$9.90 for ten 50mm x 50mm boards, and $24.90 for ten 100mm x 100mm boards, has met a lot of my needs.

[Reply #10 on:]

I came across this thread while trying to source the same thing. I've been told about a Mega screw shield here

http://www.aqualed-light.com/?sec=home&id=1758

You will have to run it through a translator if you don't understand Portuguese. I was trying to find an online shop so I didn't have to email for an invoice, but this is all I've found so far.

[Reply #11 on:]

@rockerpeller:

I need one of these or equivalent but I haven't been able to find one either.

Does anybody else know an online source for MEGA2560 Screw Shields ???

[Reply #12 on:]

Doesn't look that hard to design.

[Reply #13 on:]

There are screw shields available for the UNO, but not for the MEGA2560. I installed one of the former in my train layout and it's great.

Now I am deploying a MEGA2560 to control signals at the layout depending on turnout positions. I will use all 70 pins but two (Rx & Tx) and I've already figured out how to do it without a Screw Shield, but it won't be the same.   

[Reply #14 on:]

Hows this look for a start?