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[on:]

So I bought a few larger displays from Futurlec a while ago and now I am going to drive these suckers (MAX7219 to the rescue).  But like my other projects, I want to put them into headers rather than making a permanent solder connection.  Here are the displays:

http://www.futurlec.com/LED/LEDMVL58R.shtml

The pins are on a 0.2" spacing and fall fine into the normal 0.1" spacing, they just skip every other space.  The header I generally use is this one:

http://www.taydaelectronics.com/40-pin-2-54-mm-single-row-female-pin-header.html

It's just too snug for this display's pins.  The pins push the header pins out of the header body.

Does anyone know of a similar header that is looser, more play, whatever the term would be?  Or any other idea for less-than-permanent mounting for these displays?  Thank you!

[Reply #1 on:]

What is the diameter of the pins? The drawing does not seem to say.

[Reply #2 on:]

What is the diameter of the pins? The drawing does not seem to say.

Yeah, that is part of the problem.  I can't find a datasheet that says exactly.  When I bought them, I had no idea there was a difference, it doesn't say anywhere.  On the other hand, these are really nice displays and I have breadboarded them successfully so no complaints.  I don't have a micrometer that I could measure this sort of thing with.  All I can say is probably double the width of a normal pin on an LED display.  They are nice, stiff, and strong.  I could take a macro picture and post it if that would help.  But if anyone has an idea of a header that is useful for this sort of thing, I would be only too willing to buy a couple to try them out and if it doesn't work out I will not "blame" anyone.  I am only too willing to experiment.

[Reply #3 on:]

Well standard male IDE header pins are .025" X .025" square with 'filed' points to aid insertion into female IDE sockets pins, but if you don't have a micrometer or other means to accurately measure what you have I don't know what to tell you to do?

[Reply #4 on:]

Well standard male IDE header pins are .025" X .025" square with 'filed' points to aid insertion into female IDE sockets pins, but if you don't have a micrometer or other means to accurately measure what you have I don't know what to tell you to do?

I was just sort of hoping someone had trouble similar to this before and could recommend a header that is larger and looser, probably 50% so in each dimension.  I am willing to buy a few, eat the shipping, just to try them out.

[Reply #5 on:]

Sounds like its time to add a new tool to the tool kit
http://www.harborfreight.com/4-inch-digital-caliper-47256.html

[Reply #6 on:]

Maybe discrete pins and wire up a cable?
HWS4541
http://www.king-cart.com/phoenixent/product=POWER+SUPPLY+CONNECTORS+-+COMPUTER+INTERNAL/exact_match=exact

Really need to know pin size.

[Reply #7 on:]

Sounds like its time to add a new tool to the tool kit
http://www.harborfreight.com/4-inch-digital-caliper-47256.html

Ha, I love Harbor Freight and there is one nearby and that is where I got my compressor and extra air tanks, but I have never considered them for precision tools.

I have found some headers that are 0.2" (5.08mm) by design and I think they take the heavier pins.  I am going to try to sample a few and if they work I will buy some.

http://www.samtec.com/documents/webfiles/pdf/HPF.PDF

Going to see if they have these calipers at the local shop.

[Reply #8 on:]

Maybe something from JST
receptacle side, female pins
http://www.jst.com/home8.html

[Reply #9 on:]

But if anyone has an idea of a header that is useful for this sort of thing,

In regards "anyone has an idea", if you look through the digikey or mouser
catalogs, you'll find 200-300 pages of headers and connectors.