PCB mounting in an enclosure
Hi,
What is the preferred method to mount a PCB within an enclosure. I'm currently using plastic standoffs. Is it even necessary to mount them? I seem to have seen many pictures of pcb's not even mounted to the enclosure.
Thanks!
2k3
What is the preferred method to mount a PCB within an enclosure. I'm currently using plastic standoffs. Is it even necessary to mount them? I seem to have seen many pictures of pcb's not even mounted to the enclosure.
Thanks!
2k3
- Hides-His-Eyes
- Tube Twister
It's excellent practise. Floating boards are a bad idea.
Some people use board-mounted pots as a kind of standoff. That works too.
Some people use board-mounted pots as a kind of standoff. That works too.
Testing, testing, won too fwee
- Greg
- Old Solderhand
You definitely want to mount it.. don't want it floating around in there (although if you use a decent gauge of solid core wire it will probably hold it where you want).
The only thing I don't like about plastic standoffs is the longevity of the adhesive.. it's not that great, especially if it has a slight amount of pressure pulling against it from wires or whatever.
Metal standoffs are a solid method if you can put up with the screws through the box.
The pot mount solution mentioned is another.
Hot Glue is another option.. you can either mount with it or reinforce the mounting of the plastic standoffs with it.
The only thing I don't like about plastic standoffs is the longevity of the adhesive.. it's not that great, especially if it has a slight amount of pressure pulling against it from wires or whatever.
Metal standoffs are a solid method if you can put up with the screws through the box.
The pot mount solution mentioned is another.
Hot Glue is another option.. you can either mount with it or reinforce the mounting of the plastic standoffs with it.
culturejam wrote: We are equal opportunity exposure artists.
- D-Day
- Mojo Book Buster
I've left 'em float, used sticky standoffs and used #2 screws as standoffs. I prefer to use the screws because of what Greg G said. I haven't had the adhesive wear out on the sticky standoff ones but I sure wouldn't trust glue more than I trust steel.
Some people put standoffs on a board then put a puddle of JB Weld or some other epoxy on the bottom of the standoffs so that it attaches to the aluminum. This allows standoffs to be used without having screws go theough the enclosure.
Another way is to have a sheet of aluminum inside the box that the standoffs are attached to via countersunk screws. This can be held to the box by potentiometer shafts and this also gives you standoffs without holes in the enclosure. The stomp switch can also be used to hold the bottom of this aluminum sheet, so even a design with one pot can be accommodated. You have to be sure you have enough threads on the potentiometer shaft to go through the enclosure and the sheet aluminum.
I do not recommend leaving a board floating on wires unless you are building the unit for yourself and it never leaves your bedroom. Stompboxes get dropped, thrown around and generally abused, so if you sell them or tour with them, the board mount should be rigid.
Another way is to have a sheet of aluminum inside the box that the standoffs are attached to via countersunk screws. This can be held to the box by potentiometer shafts and this also gives you standoffs without holes in the enclosure. The stomp switch can also be used to hold the bottom of this aluminum sheet, so even a design with one pot can be accommodated. You have to be sure you have enough threads on the potentiometer shaft to go through the enclosure and the sheet aluminum.
I do not recommend leaving a board floating on wires unless you are building the unit for yourself and it never leaves your bedroom. Stompboxes get dropped, thrown around and generally abused, so if you sell them or tour with them, the board mount should be rigid.
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I have never mounted my PCBs, because they have been larger than breadboard designs, and the backplate has kept it nicely in place. For a bigger builds mount the boards.
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