Introduction: Pi Zero on the Breadboard
This instructables show how to plug the Raspberry Pi Zero (or Zero W) on the breadboard without soldering.
Step 1: Preparation
Raspberry Pi Zero
I know it is cheap but very hard to buy one, if you want built-in WiFi feature, Zero W is easier to get one
Breadboard
830 points breadboard is good enough
Breadboard Wire
Breadboard's best friend
Fishing Line
0.3mm Nylon fishing line, it helps to fix pin header to Pi Zero without soldering
Pin Header
2x40 18mm pin header
Actually it only require 2x20 pins, but the pins is very easy broken while patching, so buy more for backup purpose
Step 2: Familiar the Breadboard
In case you do not know what is breadboard yet, at least you should know the built-in connection between the points. Attached diagram show the built-in connection of a 830 points breadboard, you may know more about breadboard in Cew27's instructables: https://www.instructables.com/id/Breadboard-Basics-...
Step 3: Design Layout
Here is the design summary:
- Use patched pin header map 2x20 Pi Zero pins to breadboard 20 upper component columns and 20 lower component columns
- Raspberry Pi Zero place at the middle of the breadboard
- Pi Zero even number pins connected to upper part of component columns
- Pi Zero odd number pins connected to lower part of component columns
- Since Pi Zero board will hide the lower part of point, it need to line out the pins to beside column
- Pi Zero border still hide 3 more lower columns on both side, lined out pins need to re-line out to the upper part
- Upper power row connect to Pi Zero 5 V pin
- Lower power row connect to Pi Zero 3.3 V pin
Step 4: Split the Pin Header
It is hard to patch whole 2x20 pin header at the same time, so I recommend split it into 4 parts. i.e. 2x5 pin header
Step 5: Fix Pin Header Short Side on the Breadboard
Step 6: Bend the Pin 1by1
Step 7: Bend Pin With 0.1" Apart
Step 8: Same Bend at Other Side
Step 9: Ensure Patched Pin Header Can Plug Into the Middle of Breadboard
Step 10: Make 3 More Patch
Step 11: Plug Patched Pin Header Start From 23th Column
Step 12: Tips on Breadboard Wire
Breadboard wire bundle with a few standard size, but it may not fit every connection. In order to make a neat and professional layout, it is better to trim the wire to desired size.
Step 13: Strengthen One Side and Remove the Sleeve
Step 14: Cut the Sleeve to Desired Size
Step 15: Put Wire Into Cut Sleeve
Step 16: Bend Wire Alone the Sleeve
Step 17: Cut Wire Spare Part
Step 18: Install Breadboard Wire
Install breadboard wire according to the design layout except power wire.
Step 19: Tape the Masking Tape
Tape the masking tape between upper component column and power row.
Step 20: Label the Component Column
Start from 14th column the labels are:
GPIO 2 GPIO 3 GPIO 4 GPIO 17 GPIO 27 GPIO 22 GPIO 10 GPIO 9 GPIO 11 5V 5V GND GPIO 14 GPIO 15 GPIO 18 GND GPIO 23 GPIO 24 GND GPIO 25 GPIO 8 GPIO 7 ID_SC GND GPIO 12 GND GPIO 16 GPIO 20 GPIO 21 ID_SD GPIO 5 GPIO 6 GPIO 13 GPIO 19 GPIO 26
Step 21: Install Power Wire
Step 22: Weave With Fishing Line
We don't want soldering pin header to the Pi Zero board, we need some tricks to fix the pin header to the Pi Zero board. 0.3 mm Nylon fishing line is good enough to squeeze pin header closely touch the pin hole. Weave Fishing Line in the pin hole just like weave the shoe string.
Step 23: Take Out the Pin Header
Step 24: Install Pin Header to Pi Zero 1by1
Step 25: Install Pi Zero on the Breadboard
Step 26: Happy Breadboarding!
Enjoy to develop your Raspberry Pi Zero testing!
If you are not yet have one, LED blink is a good starting point:
Step 27: What's Next?
Base on this project, I will build a Breadboard RetroPie in my next instructables.