Mounting New PCBs When They Don't Fit

[AaronS]

Hey, I just did my first dual mod with the new Brooks PCB in a HRAP V3-SA. The new PCB isn’t the same size as the old one. There’s plenty of real estate in the case, but the screw holes the original PCB were mounted on just don’t line up with the new one; the best I could do was hold it in place with a single screw. If that’s nice and tight should it be sufficient, or do I need some other solution? If I do need to do something different, can I get some guidance on that?

[Darksakul]

Here is a quote from one of my older posts

The Beginners guide to planning a Mod like a Pro

PCB Mounting

It varies on person to person, case to case basis (pun is intended)

Zip ties and Zip tie anchors

This should be self explanatory, the Anchors are self adhesive and you zip tie wires, cables or PCBs to the anchors.
You can also use zip ties by themselves if you have a area that allows the zip ties to go around .

hook and loop tape (a.k.a. Velcro)
Known by its brand name of Velcro. Use this stuff to strap your PCB down or use sticky back or self adhesive hook and loop strips to hold your PCB in place.
(not recommended unless you get industrial grade)

Dual Lock (Recommended over Hook and Loop)

Similar to Hook and Loop tape, Dual Lock is made more so for hardware and electronics in mind. And Dual-Lock as a stronger hold than Hook and Loop tape.
Another bonus is both sides of Dual Lock tape is identical, it hooks together by having “mushroom” shape hooks caching each other. This stuff is also self adhesive.

Double Sided foam tape

Self explanatory, great in cushioning PCBs and can used in combination with Dual Lock

PCB Feet

You Glue or screw in the feet into your board, then screw the PCB into place.
eTokki also sells PCB feet that clip on the corners of a PCB instead of screwing in place for PCBs that lack screw holes.

PCB stand offs

Similar to PCB feet, you have to glue or screw the stand offs into place, often made from metal, plastic or both.

Project Box

Placing your board in a project box or enclosure, with holes or opening made to allow wiring to poke through the box.
The Box itself is either screwed or glued into place.

Straight up screw your PCB to the case.

Avoid Hot gluing PCBs directly to your stick case as its a pain to undo if you ever need to make changes or repairs.

[AaronS]

Awesome, thanks man. I went with the double sided mushroom shape dual lock, since they had it at home depot haha. I appreciate the advice!

[me_tan]

One trick you can do if nothing else will work, is to take a glue stick and cut it into short sections. You can then heat the ends just enough to make them tacky and then can glue the PCB to any solid surface with an even standoff from that surface, without looking terrible.

Need to undo it? Spray the gluestick standoffs with an upside down airduster so they freeze, then they will just snap off with little effort.

[FreedomGundam]

What I tend to do is take scrap pieces of plexi, ABS, or styrene, and make my own “mating” mounts.
That is, mount your PCB onto this piece of plexi/ABS/styrene, and then drill holes in it to mount THAT piece onto the stock mounting screw-holes in the casing.

[AaronS]

What I tend to do is take scrap pieces of plexi, ABS, or styrene, and make my own “mating” mounts.
That is, mount your PCB onto this piece of plexi/ABS/styrene, and then drill holes in it to mount THAT piece onto the stock mounting screw-holes in the casing.

I pretty much did that, but with some thick card stock and tape haha