Electronic – Connecting to an IR sensor to a microcontroller module without soldering pins

cablesmicrocontrollerpinssensor

I'm trying to connect an IR sensor to an Adafruit Feather Huzzah microcontroller module without soldering the pins on. The sensor has a power supply of 5V which I have connected to the USB pin of the microcontroller as shown below. I don't have access yet to a breadboard but I want to try and get some data as soon as I can.

Arduino Featherboard Huzzah

Using Jumper Wires

MLX90614 Infrared Thermometer

My first question is whether the electrical connections will work without soldering?

Secondly, am I using suitable cables for the connection to the sensor since although it goes all the way in, it is quite easy to pull out. This may be a problem since they may come out during application.

And finally, while writing this question, I found that the USB gets regulated down to 3.3 V so I need to use a power supply at 5 V. Is there a quick fix for this or will I have to just have to wait until the breadboard arrives and then connect it to a battery?

Also, what are these cables called?

Best Answer

My first question is whether the electrical connections will work without soldering?

Probably, but not very reliably.

the USB gets regulated down to 3.3V so I need to use a power supply at 5V. Is there a quick fix for this

Use the USB voltage directly instead of going through the regulator. If necessary, cut the USB cable open, measure the wires, and use the ones with 5V between them.

Note that if you short the output, the USB output of the USB power supply or computer might get damaged. And of course, if you apply 5V to inputs that expect 3.3V, the inputs may become very unhappy.

what are these cables called?

Many things. Breadboard wires, jump/jumper wires, Dupont wires, to name a few.