jrIDE - time for another production run?

[Brutman]

"The Connector People" definitely have the sidecar connectors. I just ordered a batch.

http://www.connectorpeople.com/Connecto ... 5/532773-2
http://www.connectorpeople.com/Connecto ... 5/532771-2

The minimum order is effectively $16, which is very reasonable. Their policy is not to sell to end users; they want to sell only to businesses. I suspect it is to keep their customer support costs down. I'm not sure how vigorously they enforce it but if you can, order through your business and if you need just one or two then piggy back onto somebody else's order.

They have close to 30,000 in stock. That is probably enough to give every surviving PCjr sidecar 5 new connectors.

[jmetal88]

That's actually the same place I ordered the connector shells for my keyboard converter. Nice to know they have more of the PCjr connectors available as well.

EDIT: By the way, when I ordered from them, I literally just typed my own name again in the form slot that asked for the company name. They didn't seem to have a problem with it.

[alanh]

I ordered 100 connectors. I'll order at least 25 more PCBs and 25 parts kits by the weekend. I'll let you know here and VCForums when things are ready to go.

[alanh]

I guess I need to ask if there are any changes worth doing? I am going to add a few more caps to improve some of the noise on the board. Even though I have a laundry list of improvements, I'm less inclined to change anything and assume risk. I also don't want to create something significantly better due to everyone who already has a Rev.A. Most of the features I have in mind can be done through an add-on board that plugs into the JR-IDE in any case (mainly SD card + WiFi).

The primary change that keeps tugging at me is a move to SMT. I originally did the board 5V with plated through hole design so people could solder them up themselves. However out of nearly 50 kits sold, I think only 5-6 have been in pieces. 432 through holes is a lot to solder. At least with SMT I have a full pick-and-place machine that would do most of the work.

Maybe drop the fully integrated DS12887A for a separate RTC IC (same core component) + battery socket. The board may grow a little, but should be doable.

[Trixter]

At least with SMT I have a full pick-and-place machine that would do most of the work.

This puts the burden of assembly on you (mostly). I can barely solder through-hole, I have no idea how much hair I'd lose trying to solder SMT...

I have no suggestions at this time, other than to not make any changes that would prevent putting flash-based storage inside the sidecar shell. I have a DOM in mine and I love how it's all self-contained.

[alanh]

At least with SMT I have a full pick-and-place machine that would do most of the work.

This puts the burden of assembly on you (mostly).

I guess that's what I'm pondering. Most of the previous kits I've assembled. If I am assembling most of the next set of kits, SMT drops the average time from 30-45 minutes one-by-one to 4-5 minutes each in an assembly line pass.

[Vorticon]

I'd definitely would like one as well as a backup to my original one.

[Brutman]

Please send me your email address for the (offline) list I am compiling.

(Everybody else - if you are still interested please do the same.)

[marklwil]

I am also interested in a jrIDE. Please let me know if one is available.

Thank you,
Mark

[gyromite2000]

I am interested in purchasing a JrIDE. Thank you!