chebe | Entries tagged with jst

It can be funny, what projects end up being used for a very long time. But with time comes maintenance, and possibly even improvements. Which is what happened as I was considering ways to make my beloved Gemma projects less fragile. When they were constructed I didn't have a 3d-printer, which ruled out experimentation. But I do now.

( Gemma case )

( Tiara )

But if we're talking about improvements around things involving Gemmas, then I'd like to present a lifetime achievement award to the maker of this JST connector extractor model. It's explicitly for micro:bits, but it's the same JST-PH form factor as used by Gemmas, Floras, and Lilypads. It is the 20 minute print that I wished I've had for the last 15 years. *applause*

JST-PH extractor tool
Photo by chebe

Batteries. Batteries vex me. They are often bulky, heavy, and non-rechargeable. They run out, and/or need recharging all the time. But they're necessary in absolutely everything if you're to be free from the wall socket. And until we're free from chemical power storage we're stuck with them. So it's a good idea to be able to look after them. (This is not advice, just my own reckless adventure.)

Sometimes you'll purchase a cheap piece of electronics from the internet, only to have it show up not working. Unless it's plugged in to USB. So you open it up and find this goopy, lumpy mess. Measuring between the terminals reveals there's no current flowing, so you have to cut it out.

( Distressing images of batteries below )

*sigh* Hurry up Science, I need a better solution than batteries!

Current Mood: vexed

I've talked about using Spark Fun's Lithium Ion batteries before, and of my frustration disconnecting their 2-pin JST connectors. As I've said before JST connectors come in different sizes, seemingly arbitrarily from every single different vendor. So if you're going to use Spark Fun's make sure you get some replacements with your order. You could get the headers themselves, and crimping pliers, and do it all yourself, but unless you plan on doing a lot that's a bit on the expensive side. I recommend getting some of the pre-made wires, with only plain wire on one end.

( It went wrong and then I made it better )

Current Mood: satisfied

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Busy hands | Disquiet mind

Craft and Tech Notebook

Entries tagged with jst

Gemma projects revisited

More awkward battery moments

'Fixing' your Spark Fun 2-pin JST connectors

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July 2025

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