I need to control around 15 12v rgb led strips with an arduino using mosfets. Their power ranges from 1.5 to 9 amps.
I usually use in my projects hand soldered test pcbs with those double or triple screw connectors for inputs and outputs. I doubt these can handle that much current and the wires i'm using would never fit in them so i clearly need another approach.
What do you guys suggest?
Good thinking!
In Europe we have used Veroboards having lines of copper stripes and holes drilled at 0.1 inch distance. An old memory is max 3 Amps in that 6 micron copper folie.
The screw connectors ought to have specifications. Then there is the copper layer on the circuit board. Look for the thickness and wideness of those copper stripes. Then use "standard specs" for that kind of stripes.
Look into Anderson Power Products "PowerPoles". They have various sizes for various amperage ratings, and they are made for many connect/disconnect operations.
Paul
OK, I am breaking my promise to not darken these forums again, but does the connector have to be PCB mounted? The most common connector in RC modeling is the XT-60 which is relatively small and rated to 60 Amps.
How are you arriving at those amp values?
“OK, I am breaking my promise to not darken these forums again”
We like your contributions.
larryd:
How are you arriving at those amp values?
From HobbyKing:
"These genuine XT60 connectors are made from high-temp nylon with gold plated sprung pins and sockets. These components are both included in the injection mold at the time when forming the connector which also has the "AMASS" logo molded in. The XT60 ensures a solid high-amp connection, perfect for applications up to and beyond 65A constant. The XT60 was designed by hexTronik to be more reliable and a better quality connection than T style and other similar Connectors.
There is no patent on the XT60 connector, we hope this product is sold everywhere in the world and dominates the market, reducing customers dependency on over-priced similar connectors.
IMPORTANT: "These are not cheaply copied XT60 plugs. These original nylon XT60 plugs, manufactured by AMASS, can handle over 60A current for extended periods without exceeding 80°C thanks to their better contact surface area. The plug is also less likely to deform or melt in comparison to copied non-nylon XT60 plugs."
Genuine nylon high-temp XT60 connectors.
XT = heXTronik
60 = 60A constant
We're the guys that designed this plug!"
Oops, I was actually referring to “Their power ranges from 1.5 to 9 amps.”
Paul_KD7HB:
Look into Anderson Power Products "PowerPoles". They have various sizes for various amperage ratings, and they are made for many connect/disconnect operations.Paul
I'm not finding any of these in my country, but i'll keep them in mind as a non pcb option.
SteveMann:
OK, I am breaking my promise to not darken these forums again, but does the connector have to be PCB mounted? The most common connector in RC modeling is the XT-60 which is relatively small and rated to 60 Amps.
I haven't decided yet. Problem is an RGB strip has 4 wires, so 4x15 = 60 connections, so from a cable management perspective i would prefer them to be PCB mounted.
larryd:
How are you arriving at those amp values?
By measuring the LEDs with a bench power supply.
bluejets:
Hang these off the end of your board....
I like this. They are pretty large though, so i think i'll use these for the high amp connections and find some smaller ones for the others.
petronel:
I like this. They are pretty large though, so i think i'll use these for the high amp connections and find some smaller ones for the others.
Physics being what they are, large current capacity terminals are by nature, large.
As a side note, there are other variations with more/less terminals.
Molex Mini-Fit Jr has a current rating of up to 9A per contact and they're reasonably small.
