Terminal Blocks

[DigBaddy]

This thread is packed with good info, thanks @DAllen for starting it!

I've got some of those cheap white 4-screw ones and am not that impressed, so this thread is getting bookmarked! All kinds of good options here.

 

[DAllen]

This thread is packed with good info, thanks @DAllen for starting it!

I've got some of those cheap white 4-screw ones and am not that impressed, so this thread is getting bookmarked! All kinds of good options here.

I agree! Got some good ideas out of it. I have a BUNCH of 6/32 hardware so I am thinking of using that.

 

[Worsaer]

Where do you source those? Seems like I've seen a few different versions but don't know which to get. Also, are you just gluing those to the bulkhead and how do you attach the wiring on the other side? Soldering it I assume?

Here’s a pic of the other side… I simply solder on leads, drill holes in the bulk plate, and pot then in epoxy. They stay put.

https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/651-1715048

 

[sharkbait]

For my rockets, I drilled two holes through the bulkheads matching the pitch of the leads for the block. Feed one wire through per hole, then solder together (don't forget the heat shrink beforehand!). Then whip up some JB weld and put some around the hole, where the block will land - and pull the mess back together and let cure. I have over 20 flights on one rocket using this terminal block.

I sourced mine by analyzing the parts list for Altus Metrum TeleMetrum and TeleMini units, then ordering via digikey. I essentially have a lifetime supply at this time at the rate I'm building rockets lately.

+1

 

[jgarbus]

I just spent the last 2 hours at the rocket desk in the basement trying to fit ejection wells and terminal blocks on a 2" bulkhead and just couldnt convince myself to do it. I ended up with a hole that the emath wire just fits into and sealed the hole with 3M foil tape on the outside and a drop of hot glue on the inside. Both are easy to peal off and replace. Doing ejection charge testing tomorrow so I guess we will see what tomorrow brings.

Anyone else just wire direct?

 

[TheTank]

I just spent the last 2 hours at the rocket desk in the basement trying to fit ejection wells and terminal blocks on a 2" bulkhead and just couldnt convince myself to do it. I ended up with a hole that the emath wire just fits into and sealed the hole with 3M foil tape on the outside and a drop of hot glue on the inside. Both are easy to peal off and replace. Doing ejection charge testing tomorrow so I guess we will see what tomorrow brings.

Anyone else just wire direct?

On small diameter rockets (54mm/38mm tubes), i run the ematch wire right through the bulkhead and directly connect it to the altimeter. I also hold the charge in a small centrifuge tube as to not mess with tiny charge wells on the small bulkheads.

 

[cwbullet]

I just spent the last 2 hours at the rocket desk in the basement trying to fit ejection wells and terminal blocks on a 2" bulkhead and just couldnt convince myself to do it. I ended up with a hole that the emath wire just fits into and sealed the hole with 3M foil tape on the outside and a drop of hot glue on the inside. Both are easy to peal off and replace. Doing ejection charge testing tomorrow so I guess we will see what tomorrow brings.

Anyone else just wire direct?

I wire direct in 54 or smaller. Some times up to 4 inch.

 

[Andrew Brown]

For 54 mm, I still build up the standoffs, but use 4-40 spacers with threaded extensions:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KWV9YQ9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
and
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DZSTVO4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This vinyl cap fits neatly over the terminal to prevent the quick link from shorting anything out:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TBSD1Z2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

The 3d printed charge holders are often sacrificial. The payload inevitably lands on the booster side, breaking at least one charge holder.

I can access the top nut with a small nut driver from the top so I don't need to rely on my fat, clumsy fingers. By accessing the nut vertically, I can pretty easily fit redundant feedthroughs in 54 mm kits. I gave up trying to get redundant feedthroughs on 38 mm.

 

[Handeman]

This is the one I've been using lately. The handwired ones I solder to the wires inside the cap.
https://www.mouser.com/datasheet/2/87/bus-elx-ds-10682-terminalblock-a0-cb0-1284342.pdf

 

[cwbullet]

For 54 mm, I still build up the standoffs, but use 4-40 spacers with threaded extensions:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KWV9YQ9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
and
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DZSTVO4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This vinyl cap fits neatly over the terminal to prevent the quick link from shorting anything out:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TBSD1Z2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

The 3d printed charge holders are often sacrificial. The payload inevitably lands on the booster side, breaking at least one charge holder.

I can access the top nut with a small nut driver from the top so I don't need to rely on my fat, clumsy fingers. By accessing the nut vertically, I can pretty easily fit redundant feedthroughs in 54 mm kits. I gave up trying to get redundant feedthroughs on 38 mm.

View attachment 632269View attachment 632270

I have used these same models and they work.