I've got two sets of solderless protoboards, all fixed up with some terminals for DC power on a piece of plywood, that have been gathering dust for a long time. Generally, if I am desinging analog I will prototype it virtually in BSpice, then build it on a pad-per-hole board, and it will work without massive changes. PIC designs generally require even less prototyping - I just build them straightaway. The software is the whole issue, the hardware is usually cut and dried. The only time I use a solderless board anymore is when I am genuinely goofing around with something and really have little idea how it will work. I can't think of many instances that this is the case. One recent example was when I was making a circuit that chirped like a Cicada as a gag gift for a friend, it required a lot of tweaking to get the noise just right. -- Lawrence Lile Senior Project Engineer Toastmaster, Inc. Division of Salton, Inc. 573-446-5661 voice 573-446-5676 fax Russell McMahon Sent by: pic microcontroller discussion list 06/13/2004 03:54 AM Please respond to pic microcontroller discussion list To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU cc: Subject: [EE:] In defense of solderless protoboards <- Re: [PICLIST] [PIC:] Poor man's USB > ... or use in a solderless protoboard (Ugh... these things should > be outlawed for most uses, but that's another subject). It is. But I have used them for many many years and absolutely would not be without them. I have dozens :-) Like anything else, they can cause you endless grief if you don't understand their limitations. But their advantages for quick and flexible prototyping easily make up for their pitfalls. Gothchas to watch include: - Capacitance between segments will affect operation. How much depends on the cct and it is usually minimal Some good things to be wary of (but which may still work) include higher speed analogue circuits & RF oscillators, Anything depending on sub nanofarad capacitors. - Murphy pulls out wires when you are not looking. - Contact quality varies. Cheaper boards may be worse but dearer boards aren't always perfect. - Wire holding tension will be permanently reduced by using oversized component leads. Either set a maximum lead size or be aware of the potential for permanent setting of conductors. - They wear out. Be prepared to throw them away in due course. - Current handling has a limit but it's liable to be above what is needed for all but power circuits. - You can accidentally do silly things with them, but you can do silly things with most things. Russell McMahon -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email listserv@mitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList mailto:piclist-unsubscribe-request@mitvma.mit.edu