Project Box to Project Box Interconnect: Best way? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Veramacor
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2013, 08:19:39 pm
content: Hello,I have a need to connect two project boxes. They both have PCBs in them and they do different things.Both boxes are your typical black box from radio shack: 3 inches(L) x 2 inches(W) x 1 inch(H)I have control over the design of one of the project boxes. I would like the interconnect to be flush.The best I came up with so far is a panel mount audio connector (4 conductor) as shown below:http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/SJ5-43502PM/CP5-43502PM-ND/1956558This is ok for the PCB I do not have control over as I can solder jumpers to make the connections.The problem I have is there is no real 'panel mount' or 'PCB mount' Male plug anywhere it seems.I need to provide power, ground, and 2 signals to the PCB I do have control over. I'm looking for a pretty solid way I could connect these two boxes.Another constraint is that I would like the connection to be strong enough where the two boxes act like they are one box after the connection. ie, you can hold one of the boxes and the other is not going to come apart easily.Any Ideas?Thanks!

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2013, 08:26:44 pm
content: Would USB jacks work for you?Get some USB B or USB A jacks, ready made cable is freely available anywhere...http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/292304-1/A31725-ND/773785http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/292304-2/A98573-ND/953981http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/292303-1/A31726-ND/773786

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2013, 08:28:23 pm
content: DE-9? Reasonably inexpensive and quite solid.

author: Veramacor
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2013, 08:31:32 pm
content: Is there such a thing as a panel mount Male USB B connector? I agree the usb connector does look solid. I need a male connector to stick out past the project box wall (no cable)Gives me more go on. tx

author: Smokey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2013, 08:33:28 pm
content: Good old D-Subs. Easy to make rigid connections which screw together. If you want rigid connections then big and bulky is your friend.

author: jmole
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2013, 08:34:01 pm
content: you could use a typical 0.1" connector for this, unless you want something that is mounted to the panel, rather than just the PCB.

author: Veramacor
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2013, 08:40:54 pm
content: D-SUB 9 pin sounds like the best candidate so far, If I could get it to work recessed on box. I guess I could live with the gap it would create. Maybe some industrial Velcro on either side of the d sub would sufficeDoes anyone make a "D SUB Punch" to create the hole in a project box?

author: Veramacor
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2013, 08:57:44 pm
content: Hey this is very close!http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/MUSB-D511-00/MUSB-D511-00-ND/2567127http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/MUSB-A511-00/MUSB-A511-00-ND/1242675I can screw this on the wall of the PCB I don't have control over. and the pcb I do have control I can just mount a male plug (which is available)http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/GSB316441CEU/GSB316441CEUDKR-ND/2506534

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2013, 09:17:50 pm
content: Not flush, kinda bulky but works well.1/4 inch audio plugs, use a pair of them. Because of the size they can support small boxes with ease (no need for other alignment pins or support screws), use two or more and your good to go.Cheap too check these outhttp://www.taydaelectronics.com/hardware/6-35mm-1-4-plugs-jacks.htmlFor the male (plugs) choose one with a metal shell, then use the shell as the mounting nut. You will have to use wires long enough to reach outside the shell.

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2013, 09:23:27 pm
content: You can buy brackets with USB jacks on them super cheap on Amazon, eBay, other stores. ..ex.http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=usb%20bracket&sprefix=usb+brack%2Caps&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Ausb%20bracketAnd you can just unscrew them from the metal bracket and connect them in your box after trimming the cables to size (if needed).For the other box, you could use retractable usb cables if you have enough room in your box :http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_15?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=retractable+usb+cable&sprefix=retractable+usb%2Caps%2C312&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aretractable+usb+cableJust cut one end from it and solder or plug the wires straight to your box and glue/screw the thing inside with just a bit of the connector hanging outside so you could pull it.

author: RickieSalad
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2013, 12:52:51 am
content: Quote from: Veramacor on May 08, 2013, 08:57:44 pmIf you aren't going to be the only person to have direct control over this thing you might want a more obscure connector than USB. You might get someone who doesn't fully understand whatever the device does, they see a USB connector, and think "sweet lets plug this into my computer and see what it does.". Oopsie!

author: lapm
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2013, 08:44:40 am
content: I would you need to consider possibility of someone plugging cables on when boxes are powered. Yes i now it not supposed to happen, but people do stupid things time to time. And this can effect choice of connectors.So i would go with USB or D-subs if possible. those 3.5-6.3 mm audio plugs has connection issues when inserting (Wiping spring type contact between two sections of plug. Ever heard bang on earphones when plugin in audio system? Then you know what i'm talking here.You also want connectors that cant be plugged wrong way in or in wrong port.. If you use USB make sure anyone will not connect computer on it or that device docent do something stupid if someone does. same should go for D-subs as well. in computers they were commonly used in serial ports and parallel ports for printers.Yeah i know this is lot to consider, but if anyone else but you have access to use these, better play it safe.At bear minimum you should put bright color labels stickers over those ports telling they are not for computer use...

author: Skimask
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2013, 02:23:20 pm
content: I use LAN cables for that sort of thing these days. If it's low enough power requirements, use one pair for power/ground. If I need to throw a bit more power at it, use 2 pairs for power/ground.Plain LAN jacks are easy enough to find & cheap. LAN cables of various lengths seem to be everywhere, not only here in my shop, but out in the wild, and again, cheap.

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 10, 2013, 05:25:31 pm
content: What about USB sockets and USB gender changers or short usb plugs soldered back to back that way there might not be any gap.

author: ptricks
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 11, 2013, 02:06:23 pm
content: RJ11 jack aka phone jack . You can get them everywhere , hardware stores, online , etc.