I’m having a bit of a hard time finding info on wiring diodes without soldering.
I have a project with several buttons set up in a matrix with diodes to get rid of ghosting. I have the project built using breadboards but I’m starting to make the move from that layout to the real thing without breadboards.
The problem comes when deciding how to wire the diodes to the wire I'm using (18AWG). I’ve tried inserting the diode terminals in ferrule connectors and then those inside another ferrule connector with the stripped wire inside and crimping them (see image) but this leaves me wondering if this is enough “contact” between the wire filaments and the diode terminal for it to work or am I going to get into intensity heating issues.
The project is small. It’s just a box with buttons for a pc train simulator.
Can someone tell me if this is a good way to connect a diode to a wire without soldering?
Thanks for answering. I’m trying to keep away from soldering. I’ve never done it and I’m sure there must be another way to do it. It’s just that the solution I’ve come up with makes me wonder about heat issues
If you are going to continue with electronics and computing as a hobby then it is time that you learnt to solder. It really is not difficult and the equipment is not expensive in your country, particularly if you buy it from China
No heat issue, they're buttons switching micro ampere. BUT your solution isn't one.
18 ga wire??? Crimps suitable for mulit-ampere circuits? Zero mechanical support for the diode? No. Just No.
Please. Learn to solder, or join the legions of software-only undead. (Joke...sort of).
Thanks UKHeliBob. I want to check all available options before soldering. This part (the diodes) would be the only one I would need soldering in and that’s another reason why I’d like to stay away from it .
But if in the end I see it as the way forward…I’ll give it a try.
I have seen people put their breadboard in a box and call the project "done". I guess that could work in benign situations, e.g. with no vibration that could work the connections loose. Although, hot glue is available.
An alternative to breadboard short of solder might be "commoning blocks", you can get these with spring clamp terminals [1], and also screw terminals [2]. You might consider these large/expensive, however there are not many solderless options.
Tbh, soldering is not that hard, maybe now is a good time to give it a go?
What’s wrong with the wire gauge? The original one is, in my view, very thin for this project. That’s why I chose the 18 one. I’m open for opinions but I don’t see why not move forward with the 18 one.
What do you mean by no supports for the diodes? The buttons are laid on a board and all the wiring is under it.
There is also these and for many automotive applications there are solutions that do not require soldering (solder tends to cause corrosion and therefore needs to be be varnished when in a car / boat )
These are the connections to the button and the ferrule terminals to be connected in a connection terminal box. Somewhere in between I need to connect the diode and the other connection to another button (buttons are in a matrix). I have tap connectors for the connections to other buttons but I have to insert the diode. How to do it without soldering? that’s what all this post is about
