Raspberry Pi Stripboard Adapter

Simple project to provide access to the Raspberry Pi for stripboard constructors, being particularly aimed at Pi Zeros. This could have been part of a larger instructable but is written up here so that it can be referenced in other builds.

There are lots of add-on boards (hats) for Pi's but for those who like to build from scratch using stripboard, the pin layout of the Pi isn't very easy to work with being double rows of pins.

Another potential use, not shown here, is to remap some of the pins to use Raspberry Pi Pico boards in place of those specifically made for a Pi.

40 pin two row pcb socket

2 x 20 pcb pins

matrix board with cut copper strips, see picture. These are sometimes in strips of two or four but either can be adapted for use.

Test fit the pins and socket so that the socket straddles a cut in the matrix board and the pins fit alongside on the same strips.

In the pictures I've cut along a row of holes as this is easier to do, but with a good saw it may be possible to cut between the holes.

The pins must be pushed through the plastic support so that they are flush with the top of the support. They will be inserted from the top of the board, soldered underneath so that the pin can be inserted into a socket if needed.

The picture shows the support being pushed down on each pin using a flat tool with the pins resting on a piece of strip board. This is done gently along the length of the support, passing along several times if need be, to get the pins evenly inserted.

Insert the pins into the matrix board at the width that will be used, so that the support is flush against the top of the matrix board. To support them in place initially, the pcb socket can be fitted over the pins to hold them in place and correctly aligned.

Fit the socket in place across the cut in the matrix board and in parallel to the pins. Solder one pin in a corner first and then adjust the socket so that it fits evenly against the matrix board, melting the solder again to get a good fit. Repeat with the opposite corner before soldering the rest of the pins.

When complete, inspect to ensure there are no solder bridges between the matrix board tracks.

The pictures show two intended uses of the carrier board.

In the first, the carrier board will be soldered directly to a strip board to provide a socket for a Pi.

In the second, the carrier is being inserted into sockets on an existing board, in this case, originally made for a Pico.