Raspberry Pi 1$ GPIO Expand Module

This project is for those who don't have breadboard, or don't want to use it or you can even use with it. You don't need to etch, or mill PCB with CNC, you just need to have some soldering skills and a little of patience. I used one sided perfboard, which caused me a little trouble, which I solved quickly. If you don't want these problems use double sided board.

Tools&materials

For making this project you will need:

- soldering iron

- solder

- perfboard (I only had one sided, preferred double sided)

- male&female pinheads

- multimeter (to check connections..if you have good eyes you don't need to ;) )

And additionally, if you want you can add any type of connector for power supply (etc. screw terminal connector) and any type of switch you would like.

Of course we must not forget about Raspberry Pi. GPIO expand module fits models A+, B+, 2, 3 and also zero. Case isn't necessary, I only use lower part.

Assembling the Board

First you put the female headers in the middle of the board and solder them. They need to be 20 pins long and you need two rows, because Raspberry has 2x20 pins. They will be on lower side. On upper side first add male pinheads and lift up the plastic shield so you can solder them (if you will use double sided board, you can solder them normally on lower side). You must solder pins from female to male headers in series. Then you add female pinheads next to male and solder them together with previously soldered male pinheads. I had to do this the hard way, because of one sided perfboard.

Repeat the process on the other side and you are almost finished. If any of the steps weren't described as you would wish, please look at the pictures. I think they show enough :)

Optional Step: Add Power Supply Connector and Switch

I also added switch and power supply connector. I used screw terminal connector for my board.

This board is more like "open source", so you can solder on anything you like or you need. Such as power on LED, more common GND pins, add compensation capacitors or protective diodes, transistors...

Make Use of It :)

Before putting it on and powering up you should test your soldering work with multimeter if there are any shortcuts or anything is not connected right!

So, when you do that, the module is ready to use :)

Connect power supply or use micro USB port, if you didn't do the optional step and power up the R.Pi.

If you have installed any OS such as Raspbian, you should GPIOs very easy. Just plug in on attach on some LEDs or connect relay or whatever you want and turn it on.

For example I used this simple code in attachment.

To run it just type in terminal: sudo python LED.py and if that doesn't work try to look in which directory you are. Use pwd command to look where do you work and type cd "yourdirectoywherethefileissaved" to get in the right directory :)

I know that project is simple, but I thought it would be useful for someone to create something, or maybe get new ideas, or just improve soldering skills :)

This is my first Instructable so I'm putting it on a contest and you can vote for it, if you find it useful. Thanks for your vote :)

I have lots of new projects and ideas on my mind, so hope to see you soon :)

Downloads

LED.py