I'm looking for a quick and clean way to connect to 2.54mm breakout holes that don't have headers soldered in. I've tried using aluminum foil wrapped around the pins of a header to make a connection, but I'd prefer a more reliable solder-less option. Any suggestions?
3 Answers
Check out these connectors from Adafruit! They can fit well into the 2.54mm holes and provide a good connection without needing a header soldered.
Pogo pins are definitely worth considering for a temporary connection. They can connect nicely without needing any headers, and they're pretty easy to use when you need something that’s not permanent.
Totally agree! I actually have a programming header project coming up that I plan to use them for.
If you're designing your own PCB, consider staggering the holes slightly to make it easier for a male pin-header to fit snugly. I found that helpful when designing mine! Also, heating up the male header could make it more flexible to fit into tighter spaces.
But just a heads up, those may not be super reliable because they’re meant to be pressed in permanently, not for temporary connections.