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Thread: Custom pcb for breakout box

  1. #1
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    Custom pcb for breakout box

    I'm thinking about making a custom pcb breakout with wago terminals to replace my breakout box. Has anyone else made one?


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  2. #2
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    I've never seen one with a custom PCB, but there are tons of threads on DIY breakout boxes using terminal blocks, mono plugs, spring terminals, etc.

  3. #3
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    Just made one up. I'll try to post some pics with info when it comes in a few weeks.


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    Couple shots during assembly.

    Boards.


    Boards with Phoenix connectors.


    I figured out the pin out of the din cable I had a really long time ago and have since misplaced my notes. I hope to have two units working by the end of the weekend. More pics to follow.


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    Just curious, who did you have build the boards, and what did they cost? I'm getting ready to use oshpark for a similar project, but it will be my first time having a board built. Would you be willing to share your files for the board?

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    Quote Originally Posted by Tango2 View Post
    Just curious, who did you have build the boards, and what did they cost? I'm getting ready to use oshpark for a similar project, but it will be my first time having a board built. Would you be willing to share your files for the board?
    I use oshpark. I'll try put up the files later. It's pretty simple.


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  7. #7
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    I figured. I've heard that you can get any color from them, as long as it's purple...


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  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tango2 View Post
    I figured. I've heard that you can get any color from them, as long as it's purple...


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    Yep. If you want it cheap.
    I've talked to advanced circuits as well and you can get it totally custom but you pay for it. These boards were about $16 for the three. The other places will charge around $300.


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  9. #9
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    I think it looks fine purple. And the quality looks great to me. I'm looking at about $25 for my other project, so the price is right.


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  10. #10
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    What benefit or advantage are you seeking with this DIY breakout board?

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    Quote Originally Posted by fab View Post
    What benefit or advantage are you seeking with this DIY breakout board?
    Individual Phoenix connectors.


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    Phoenix connectors are nice. Still, I am interested to know what advantage having the Phoenix connectors will provide.

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    Quote Originally Posted by fab View Post
    Phoenix connectors are nice. Still, I am interested to know what advantage having the Phoenix connectors will provide.
    I would guess that having a signal and return for each sensor would be nice. For whatever reason, you have to combine all of the ground cables into one terminal on the original breakout box.

    I currently have my Neptune BoB GND connected to a terminal block with a jumper connecting all the terminals. This gives me a dedicated GND for each sensor. IMO this feature should be built into the BoB, and that's what the PCB above does.

  14. #14
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    Thanks,
    So you are providing 2 (both) contacts for each device, undoing the single common ground contact. I like this much better. I have jury rigged a 6 way terminal strip for all of the return wires, also. It is awkward and not so elegant a solution.

    I agree that Neptune Systems' breakout box would be much improved by providing a ground connection for each channel. I'd also like to see a two color LED indicator for each channel, indicating both OPEN and CLOSED.

    Have you given thought to adding that to you circuit board?

  15. #15
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    I'm not sure it's that simple. The apex provides a control circuit that isn't capable of driving individual LEDs. I agree that would be nice but not sure that's a possibility without a bunch of added circuitry and another power source.


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    Yes, the LED indicators would have to be powered by additional new circuitry and not let any voltage become impressed across the dry contact leads. For any simple circuitry Lord Kirkoff might get in the way and make it really hard to succeed.

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    I like your design. Jamming all the ground wires into one connection on the Neptune BOB is prone to failure since the hole is the same as the individual channels. Didn't make much sense when multiple wires need to go into that port.


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    The grounding thing was my main motivation. That's really aggravating, size is the only reason I can think of for combining the grounds. As mentioned earlier it's a reliability issue besides being an annoyance. It vastly complicates trouble shooting as well, which is already a pain due to the slow polling speed on the apex gpios.

    I'm also omitting the "reserved" line, because it essentially does nothing.

    I use the Phoenix connectors for projects at work so I'm used to designing boards with them. They probably cost a hair more than regular screw terminals.




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  19. #19
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    I've seen some pics on the forum with people doing the bussed ground. That's one of the things that made me think about this.

    One of the bussed setup was also doing a short on one of the inputs to set an alarm in case it opens (meaning the din got unplugged) I'm planning on doing the jumper thing on these, I thought about building it into the circuit but The Phoenix are cheap and I like to keep my option open.

    As far as LEDs go. The gpio implementation for the apex is severely lacking in the o category, there is no output to provide feedback on the open/closed state of the switch. You could go crazy and build a circuit with a relay or something that would do it but that would overly complicate it and also need external power.

    I've been busy as hell lately but I'll try to put together a bom and try to get the pcb files up on the oshpark store. If anyone knows how I can post up the eagle files I'm more than happy to share. (When I get a chance, baby+toddler+reef+work is whipping my *** lately).


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  20. #20
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    Google drive would probably work for posting the files. I'm interested to see how your eagle/Gerber files look compared to the pcb I'm currently designing.


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  21. #21
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jlentz View Post
    I'm thinking about making a custom pcb breakout with wago terminals to replace my breakout box. Has anyone else made one?


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    What did it cost you to make the PCB's?

    Are the gerber files available?

    Thanks!

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    Quote Originally Posted by byee View Post
    What did it cost you to make the PCB's?

    Are the gerber files available?

    Thanks!
    It was about $16 for three boards.

    I'm doing a v2 as I was unhappy with the strain relief for the cable.

    I'll try to post up some stuff tonight.

    Since I switch led to osh park I don't really use gerbers. They just use the eagle .brd file. The only time I do gerbers now is to get a solder stencil made if I'm doing an smd board.


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    I can't get the link to the Oshpark store working.

    Its under Jlentz. BOBV2 or BOB for the V1 version.

  25. #25
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    Version 1 eagle screen prints.





    Version2





    The two big changes in V2 are more space to strain relief cable and omission of one connector to use that channel as a disconnect signal.


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