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In my project I make use of 3 PWM I²C-boards, each having 3 x 16 pin connectors. My initial thought was to use jumper connectors to connect LEDs to the pins but they are not reliable enough.

I would rather not de-solder 144 (3x16x3) pins, Is there a connector that can securely connect to these pins?

Wishlist:

  • If at all possible, no de-solder of existing pins on board.
  • Secure connection (mild vibrations occasionally)
  • 48/24/12/3-pin connector, all acceptable
  • No pre-made connector wire. I want to be able to tailor-make the wire length
  • Screw terminal is ok but not at all required
  • Connector available to buy in Europe/Sweden

my background:

  • beginner in electronics, hence the aversion to de-solder 144 pins. its gonna take me a year!
  • beginner in electronics, so if the solution / connector is blatantly obvious, please have patience with me. I looked at TME and Mouse websites and there is literally a million different connectors available but I lack knowledge to find a fitting connector.

PCA9685 board

enter image description here

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  • \$\begingroup\$ For what are you using the PWM outputs? To me it looks as if this board was designed with the option to control RC servos, too. These servos commonly use 3-pin connectors. It may be a solution to use servo cables, which are available separately. \$\endgroup\$
    – the busybee
    Commented Mar 30, 2023 at 6:39
  • \$\begingroup\$ @thebusybee LEDs, both directly as in single LEDs (soldered connection), and push buttons that have LEDs built in (spade connector). \$\endgroup\$
    – David
    Commented Mar 30, 2023 at 6:46
  • \$\begingroup\$ Please add new information to your question by editing it. Comments are not for this, this is not a forum. -- Did you try 1x20 connectors? The gaps look as if they are 1 and 2 steps wide. \$\endgroup\$
    – the busybee
    Commented Mar 30, 2023 at 6:50
  • \$\begingroup\$ @thebusybee No, only single (1 female) jumper connectors \$\endgroup\$
    – David
    Commented Mar 30, 2023 at 7:30
  • \$\begingroup\$ You forgot to tell us the pitch. Is it 2.54 mm? \$\endgroup\$
    – Davide Andrea
    Commented Mar 30, 2023 at 11:54

2 Answers 2

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According to my Select-a-conn - connector selection utility, there is only one female plug out there that has 3 rows of sockets with a 0.1" pitch:

TE AMPMODU Mod IV such as part number 86308-1.

https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/te-connectivity-amp-connectors/86308-1/295279

https://www.te.com/usa-en/search.html?q=86308-1&source=header

TE 86308-1

{Digikey}

However, it's "available to order". I.e., it's not actually made unless someone orders 3200 of them.

The reason that they don't make 3-row unshrouded plugs is that it's impossible to reach the inner row to extract a socket.

Therefore, what I propose is to use 6-circuits 2.54 mm unshrouded plugs turned 90 degrees. They must be perfectly prismatic and unkeyed, so that they do not interfere with each other when stacked side-by-side. (The Dubox that someone else proposed is not, so two side-by-side would interfere with each other.)

Molex C-Grid III 90143

{Molex C-Grid III 90143, Digikey}

This includes:

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Something we occassionally use when we have pinheader we'd like to connect is a dubox connector.

enter image description here

The problem might be that you also need to have to right crimping tools what can be quite expensive for a one time use. Alternatively you can also buy the pre-crimped cables if available in your desired length. If these connectors are secure enough is difficult to say, they might require a little drop of glue to sustain vibrations.

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