Electronic – Connect rectangle pad to jumpers

connectordiyjumpersurface-mount

I'd like to know some general approaches to creating DIY connectors for a custom PCB or card. Mainly I'd like to know how to connect some flat SMD pads to standard jumpers that would connect to a breadboard or arduino header.

For example, here's the internals of a genuine PSX memory card:

PSX Memory Card

It's worth noting that each pad is separated by 2.54mm (standard DIP header), although in 3 (non-standard spaced) distinct sections.

I've considered the following:

  1. Probes (Some of the pads are too far from the edge of the PCB for this to work)
  2. Hot glue DIP headers to the pads (Messy and unreliable connection)
  3. Solder some cables to the pads (I don't want to leave any solder residue as I want the device to remain in original condition)
  4. Alligator clips (too large)

Best Answer

Those rectangular pads are not SMD pads. Instead those are fingers for an edge card connector.

I made the following picture derived from yours to evaluate the contact spacing differences from the left side to other parts of the overall edge finger layout. It is disappointing that the spacing is not uniform. However it is not that far off and it is likely there is some distortion from the photo itself.

enter image description here

It may be possible for you to acquire a 10-pin edge card connector such as shown below and just insert the card into the connector. It is possible that contacts of the board will line up good enough in the edge card connector. You could then just solder wires onto the pin tails on the connector.

enter image description here

enter image description here

Picture Source / Data Sheet

Distributor Page

If the card is too thin for the standard connector designed to accept an ~1.6mm thick card then you can cut a small piece of pressboard (cardboard) and use it as a spacer in the connector.