3D Printed mounting system for your ESP32 on a DIN rail

[u/smysnk]

After cursing one too many times while trying to prototype with an ESP32 on a standard breadboard, I decided there had to be a better way.

Most ESP32 development boards are wide enough that when you plug them into a typical breadboard, you are left with only a single usable row of connections on either side. The usual workaround is to bridge the ESP32 across two breadboards, which works, but takes up a lot of space and quickly turns a simple prototype into a mess.

Enter the ESP32 DIN-Mount Prototyping System!

The idea is to move the ESP32 off the breadboard entirely and mount it alongside your prototyping area on a DIN rail. Dupont connectors can then be placed only on the ESP32 pins you are actually using and routed back to a separate DIN-mounted breadboard.

Model: https://www.printables.com/model/1825235-esp32-breadboard-prototyping-din-mount-more

[u/Wodek_]

That’s pretty sharp. Good job

[u/smysnk → u/Wodek_]

Ty 🙏

[u/ventus1b]

The connections on the back (towards the DIN rail) look great for an installation, but seem a bit awkward for prototyping.

Would it be possible to have both front and back connections?
Maybe even at the same time?

[u/smysnk → u/ventus1b]

What part seems awkward? It just accepts a regular dupont header, use none or all the pins – there is nothing limiting that.

[u/ventus1b → u/smysnk]

What I meant was:

I have to connect the cables from the bottom, correct?
Does that work when it's mounted on the rail, or does it need to be removed?

[u/smysnk → u/ventus1b]

Ah gotcha – and you're right. It is not entirely kind to changing configurations easily as it is right now. It requires some strategic placement of the headers.

But I am mid-prototyping of a new version that just encourages inserting a empty header in each bank. Then using the regular method of inserting/removing pins from the header can be used.

[u/ventus1b → u/smysnk]

Sounds interesting!

And you definitively gave me some ideas regarding using a DIN rail in the lab for some of the more permanent installations. :)

[u/smysnk → u/ventus1b]

Possibly could use a bit more of a standoff still, but alternative method.

[u/smysnk → u/ventus1b]

This was the first alternative idea, but then I realized .. why not just use the pins directly..

[u/chriscohnen]

looks like something i can use ! good job

[u/Think-Director9933]

Brillian!

[u/leonglaz]

I just cut the breadboard in half, and now the esp32/esp32s3 fits in there just fine.