I was wondering....
Nowdays for configuring hardware , curious minds uses 2.54 pin headers, but why nobody uses DIP swiches anymore? Price ?
But they are so neat to switch on/off and looked so neat once on PC motherboards ...

They are still used, but most hardware is now configured in flash - not even headers. Headers and switches are really only needed when you need electrical isolation now.

Incidentally, if you know of a source of those rainbow switches at a half decent price I'd love some! They were used on the old Nascom boards but were later changed for boring ones. I'm not sure if they are still made now.

Yes, I had in mind that electrical isolation cases.

It seems they are made by manufacturer ERG-COMPONENTS
Just for reference, look for SDS-10-014 or SDS-6-023 or SCS-8-023 or SDS-8-023

While I have newer ordered one I just made quick search and found these colorfull at farnell

OOH! yeah, thanks. However, just look at the price! £24.50 +vat for one 10-circuit one and 13 weeks lead time. Don't think I'll bother. :)

OMG. Yes  
Still we can stick to boring ones. They seems to be not so pracey for personal projects

https://www.thebackshed.com/forum/ViewTopic.php?TID=17301&P=2#227720
https://www.thebackshed.com/forum/ViewTopic.php?TID=17301&P=2#227722
Hi Mick,

thanks for your detailed explanation of soldering! And Peter, sorry I missed that in the first post.

Matthias

I've designed end-plates for the boxes cut out on my laser. The spacing of the USB-A ports is slightly different on the final layout so I need to just check that before I post the dxf files.
It's strange how the laser has charged the plastic such that every bit of dust has now stuck to them

Nice. :)

Do you find that these little cases are easier to design with than the CMM2 one? Those PCB mounting pillars are a right pain, even when you don't use them.

  Quote  

It's strange how the laser has charged the plastic such that every bit of dust has now stuck to them

You might try wiping some 'Cuddly Fabric Softener' over it after cutting (Available in UK?)
It has anti-static properties, and is great for static plastics.
I normaly rub it over my PVC dust extraction pipes in the W/S to kill static shocks every time I touch them, so it might work on your case  

  matherp said  

EasyEDA design file

PicoUSBMotherboard.zip

What's the trick to loading this into EasyEDA?

Nothing happens for me  

Please disregard....Had to switch to the "Pro" version  
Edited 2024-10-08 02:52 by PhenixRising

Mr. Mather   It's a work of art.

Tempted to upgrade to a 4K rig now  

OK, I live in USA Chicago area and would really like to get a finished board for the best possible price.  I think ordering the minimum would be way too much for me.  I have my 2 Pico 2s and would really like to get one of these board what are my options.  Thanks.

I have 5 boards arriving in the next few days.  I am in Colorado, USA.  I plan to keep 2 and @gadgetjack already claimed 1, so he gets first dibs if he is still interested.  That leaves 2 available. I will PM interested parties here on TBS when the boards arrive for your mailing address etc.

My cost is $23.00 per board and it will cost a few $ to ship them out.  Note that you will need to provide your own Pico2 module, SD card, enclosure etc.  The cost is just for the assembled board as received from JLCPCB.  I also have a few Pico2 modules.  I can solder one on and do some basic testing for an additional $5.00  

Full disclosure: these boards have the "silk screen error" on the top side near the I/O connector. (please read this entire thread if you don't know about this) I will print some labels to correct the small area that was misprinted in the original Gerber files.  I will post photos here so you can see exactly what you will get.

I told my wife, "Our troubles are over!  I'm selling some circuit boards at cost."  "How do you expect to make any money selling them at cost?", She asked.  "It's simple", I said, "I'll make it up in volume."
Edited 2024-10-16 05:24 by Sasquatch

I'm certain that a through-hole version is viable now. I've been hanging on with Delta because of some doubt. I've now had rock solid 1280 HDMI display from a plugged-in Pico 2, albeit using SMD resistors. Trace lengths are not particularly matched on the Gamma. :)

For the USB end I've found some little plugs, which are basically the plug with no encapsulation so it's much shorter. A bit of heatshrink and you have a mini plug. It has pads on it that can be wired a couple of inches to the USB hub. That helps with the reprogramming too - unplug the hub and plug in the programming lead (although the plug on that might cause a problem).

Note on the enclosure:  I discovered some time ago that the "MULTICOMP MCRM2015S" box is not available in the US.  You can order them from Newark Electronics (aka Element14, Farnell) and they will ship them from the UK, the cost + shipping charge is quite high.

However, the same exact box is available from US distributors (i.e. DigiKey, Mouser, Newark etc.) as "HAMMOND RM2015S" at reasonable cost and domestic shipping charges!  Not sure why the difference, must be some kind of exclusive licensing agreement.

I came up against that. The Hammond number is far easier to source and is generally cheaper. I noted (not on here) that Multicomp stuff is usually the manufacturer's part number with an "MC" prefix.

I think I mentioned this box previously on one of my little project threads. :)

  Sasquatch said  

I have 5 boards arriving in the next few days.  I am in Colorado, USA.  I plan to keep 2 and @gadgetjack already claimed 1, so he gets first dibs if he is still interested.  That leaves 2 available. I will PM interested parties here on TBS when the boards arrive for your mailing address etc.

My cost is $23.00 per board and it will cost a few $ to ship them out.  Note that you will need to provide your own Pico2 module, SD card, enclosure etc.  The cost is just for the assembled board as received from JLCPCB.  I also have a few Pico2 modules.  I can solder one on and do some basic testing for an additional $5.00  

Full disclosure: these boards have the "silk screen error" on the top side near the I/O connector. (please read this entire thread if you don't know about this) I will print some labels to correct the small area that was misprinted in the original Gerber files.  I will post photos here so you can see exactly what you will get.

I told my wife, "Our troubles are over!  I'm selling some circuit boards at cost."  "How do you expect to make any money selling them at cost?", She asked.  "It's simple", I said, "I'll make it up in volume."

I will take one if it is the populated one.  How do I arrange to get one here in Chicago area? EDIT: Maybe I should read closer.  I was to excited and see that it is populated. I would gladly pay the $5.00 for the Pico and testing.  How do I DM you with my details and how to pay you.  Thanks a lot for your help.
Edited 2024-10-16 16:13 by mclout999

I would also take one with the Pico2--delivery to Virginia. Please PM when you have total cost figured out, and I will send to you via PayPal.

Ok, so I have @gadgetjack for one, @mclout999 for one and @lizby for one.  I think that's fully subscribed for what I have available.  I will post here if anything changes.

  @mclout999 said  

How do I DM you with my details and how to pay you.

When you are signed in on TBS there is a link in the header at the top of the page that says "Private Messenger"  I will PM the interested parties with more details when the boards are ready to ship.

  Sasquatch said  

Ok, so I have @gadgetjack for one, @mclout999 for one and @lizby for one.  I think that's fully subscribed for what I have available.  I will post here if anything changes.

  @mclout999 said  

How do I DM you with my details and how to pay you.

When you are signed in on TBS there is a link in the header at the top of the page that says "Private Messenger"  I will PM the interested parties with more details when the boards are ready to ship.

Thanks for the update.