madbeanpedals::forum

Projects => General Questions => Topic started by: guile on February 03, 2013, 12:23:59 PM

Title: Best way(s) to insulate pcb
Post by: guile on February 03, 2013, 12:23:59 PM
Guys, I could use some tips on how to insulate the pcb after it has been installed.

Thanks.

G♫S

Title: Re: Best way(s) to insulate pcb
Post by: jimilee on February 03, 2013, 04:54:06 PM
I use hot glue on the back of the PCB,it works quite well. Grab your mom's/wife's and or girlfriends and you're good to go.
Title: Re: Best way(s) to insulate pcb
Post by: lincolnic on February 03, 2013, 04:56:53 PM
If you think you might need to get at the components again at some point in the future, I recommend electrical tape.
Title: Re: Best way(s) to insulate pcb
Post by: guile on February 03, 2013, 05:37:17 PM
Quote from: lincolnic on February 03, 2013, 04:56:53 PM
If you think you might need to get at the components again at some point in the future, I recommend electrical tape.

That makes sense. Could you send an url of an example?
Title: Re: Best way(s) to insulate pcb
Post by: whitebread47 on February 03, 2013, 05:40:34 PM
Depending on the internal layout/fitting, I'll sometimes cut some double-sided 3M tape the size of the PCB and use it to prevent shorts and help keep the board in place. 
Title: Re: Best way(s) to insulate pcb
Post by: midwayfair on February 03, 2013, 05:40:50 PM
3M tape works very well, and it holds the board in place (most of the time).
Title: Re: Best way(s) to insulate pcb
Post by: guile on February 03, 2013, 05:53:48 PM
Quote from: midwayfair on February 03, 2013, 05:40:50 PM
3M tape works very well, and it holds the board in place (most of the time).

What kind of 3M tape do you mean excatly?
Title: Re: Best way(s) to insulate pcb
Post by: whitebread47 on February 03, 2013, 06:11:03 PM
Quote from: guile on February 03, 2013, 05:53:48 PM
Quote from: midwayfair on February 03, 2013, 05:40:50 PM
3M tape works very well, and it holds the board in place (most of the time).

What kind of 3M tape do you mean excatly?

This stuff: http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/3M-Defense-US/Defense/Products/Air/~/3M-Double-Coated-Urethane-Foam-Tape-4026-Natural-1-in-x-1-in-1-16-in-1000-Squares-per-pack-1-per-case?N=4294649436+5420242&Nr=AND(hrcy_id%3AGSC2NWK1YZgs_RPS963T64K_N2RL3FHWVK_GPD0K8BC31gv)&rt=d
Title: Re: Best way(s) to insulate pcb
Post by: guile on February 03, 2013, 06:11:59 PM
Of course, got it. Thanks!
Title: Re: Best way(s) to insulate pcb
Post by: whitebread47 on February 03, 2013, 06:19:44 PM
Quote from: midwayfair on February 03, 2013, 05:40:50 PM
3M tape works very well, and it holds the board in place (most of the time).

Yeah, I think it works better for insulation and light duty holding.  I find it works best of the board is taped to a flat surface like the inside of the enclosure; on pots, not so much.

Quote from: guile on February 03, 2013, 06:11:59 PM
Of course, got it. Thanks!

No problem!
Title: Re: Best way(s) to insulate pcb
Post by: pickdropper on February 03, 2013, 06:34:35 PM
Another vote for 3M VHB tape here.  I FAR prefer it to electrical tape because it holds the board in place and sharp bits cannot poke through it easily.
Title: Re: Best way(s) to insulate pcb
Post by: alanp on February 04, 2013, 04:24:25 AM
I wound up wrapping my Dub Ed. Cavedweller board entirely in electrical tape -- standup resistors shorting on one side, traces on the other... so now it's a lump of stuff wrapped in tape with wires coming out.

The first half-dozen pedals I made, I used ice-cream container lids as insulating material. Easily cuttable to any shape you want, semi-rigid, cheap, and getting it involves eating icecream!
Title: Re: Best way(s) to insulate pcb
Post by: lincolnic on February 04, 2013, 04:30:49 AM
Quote from: guile on February 03, 2013, 05:37:17 PM
Quote from: lincolnic on February 03, 2013, 04:56:53 PM
If you think you might need to get at the components again at some point in the future, I recommend electrical tape.

That makes sense. Could you send an url of an example?


I meant to just stick some electrical tape on the back of your PCB when you're done. That's what I do if I'm worried about something shorting out in the enclosure.
Title: Re: Best way(s) to insulate pcb
Post by: jimilee on February 04, 2013, 04:35:15 AM
Quote from: lincolnic on February 04, 2013, 04:30:49 AM
Quote from: guile on February 03, 2013, 05:37:17 PM
Quote from: lincolnic on February 03, 2013, 04:56:53 PM
If you think you might need to get at the components again at some point in the future, I recommend electrical tape.

That makes sense. Could you send an url of an example?


I meant to just stick some electrical tape on the back of your PCB when you're done. That's what I do if I'm worried about something shorting out in the enclosure.
Here's the smoothie I built and covered in electrical tape
http://www.madbeanpedals.com/forum/index.php?topic=7662.0