BreadBoard Buddy

thingiverse

A simple adapter allows power to be supplied to the side rails of a breadboard from an external power source. Originally designed with female banana plugs, it proved too bulky for the pins alone to hold it securely in place. A straightforward modification would be to eliminate the single hole and add two holes for bolts to pass through screw posts. Post-Printing Instructions Acquire perfboard that aligns perfectly with the outside rails on each side. Cut the board down to fit within the box, as depicted in the dimension image. My sample was 3x20 holes long. Drill two 4mm holes into the perfboard so they line up precisely with the mounting holes. Tap the mounting holes with an M3 tap for a secure fit. While the print is hardening, solder two 2x3 (or four 1x3) header pins to each end of the perfboard. Mine required slight bending to fit into the breadboard snugly. Connect wires to the corresponding pins on both sides (if you want both rails powered). Feed the power wires through the hole in the top of the box and solder them to the appropriate pins. Gently pull the power wire through the hole until the perfboard rests against the box, then secure it with a small zip tie below where the board tightened. This prevents stressing the solder joints. You can configure this adapter as needed. If you want both rows on one side grounded, wire it accordingly. My setup is marked on the breadboard (four channels). Just remember to note which side is positive and which is negative – mine indicates outside channel polarity. Mount the board using M3 screws for a secure fit.