Recently I've been trying to work out a very efficient method for testing layouts of panel-mount components. Soldering isn't ideal for this because soldered connections are difficult to undo, and make rigid connections that fail if you're not very careful about strain relief.
A lot of panel mount components have wide contacts intended to accept a small slide-on terminal connector:
But noone seems to make cables that have that connector at one side, and a dupont connector at the other end for a microcontroller. I know you can buy a punch down tool to add the crimp connector yourself, but they're expensive! Very expensive.
So here's where I'm at: I'm buying a bundle of 10 terminal wires with the connector already on both ends, and cutting it in half. Then, a bundle of F-F dupont cables. Cut both in half. Strip, twist together, fold over, and then cover with a small piece of shrink tube. Melt with a heat gun (or a lighter, just don't tell mom).
It works, it's flexible, a lot stronger than you might expect, and it's tidier than some other stuff I've tried, so I wanted to share in case anyone else is working on this. But I'm also wondering if there are other solutions I haven't considered. Does anyone have a good fast, inexpensive, flexible, solder-free panelmaking workflow that might work better than this?
