How to Use Adafruit Perma Proto Small Mint: Examples, Pinouts, and Specs

The Adafruit Perma Proto Small Mint is a compact, solderable prototyping board designed for creating permanent prototypes and electronic circuits. Its layout mirrors that of a standard breadboard, with interconnected holes spaced at a standard 0.1-inch (2.54mm) grid, allowing for easy transfer of circuits from a breadboard to a more durable and permanent platform. This board is ideal for small projects where space is at a premium and for hobbyists who want to give their temporary breadboard projects a long-lasting form.

• Permanent circuit prototypes
• Small electronic projects
• Educational purposes for learning soldering and circuit design
• DIY electronics, such as custom controllers, wearables, and IoT devices

• Dimensions: 1.8" x 1.4" x 0.0625" (46mm x 36mm x 1.6mm)
• Hole Spacing: 0.1" (2.54mm)
• Hole Diameter: Approximately 0.038" (0.97mm)
• Material: FR4 with a green solder mask
• Copper Thickness: 1 oz per square foot
• Plating: Tin
• Number of Holes: 160 total (20 rows of 8 holes each)

The Adafruit Perma Proto Small Mint does not have a traditional pin configuration as it is a prototyping board. However, the board features a series of interconnected holes that are grouped as follows:

1. Design Your Circuit: Begin by designing your circuit on a breadboard or schematic software to ensure proper functionality before transferring it to the Perma Proto board.

2. Transfer the Design: Once the design is tested, transfer the layout to the Perma Proto board by placing components in the same relative positions.

3. Soldering: Solder the components onto the board. Use a soldering iron with a fine tip and solder with a small diameter to make precise connections.

4. Connect the Components: Use jumper wires or cut small pieces of solid-core wire to make connections between the components following your design.

5. Power Distribution: Utilize the power rails for distributing power and ground connections across the board.

6. Final Inspection: After soldering, inspect all connections for cold solder joints or shorts. Use a multimeter to check for continuity and correct any issues.

• Soldering: Ensure that the soldering iron is at the correct temperature (around 350°C) and that you use lead-free solder for environmental reasons.
• Component Orientation: Pay attention to the polarity of components like diodes, capacitors, and ICs.
• Trace Current: Be mindful of the current each trace will carry to avoid damage.
• Inspection: Regularly inspect the board for solder bridges or loose connections.
• Safety: Always work in a well-ventilated area when soldering.

• Cold Solder Joints: A dull or grainy appearance may indicate a bad solder joint. Reheat the joint and add a small amount of solder if necessary.
• Short Circuits: Use a magnifying glass to inspect for accidental solder bridges between adjacent pads.
• Component Malfunction: If a component isn't working, check its orientation and solder connections.

• Desoldering: If you need to remove a component, use desoldering braid or a desoldering pump to clear the solder from the pad and pin.
• Testing: Use a multimeter to test connections and ensure that there are no shorts or opens in the circuit.
• Reflowing Solder: If a connection looks suspect, reflow the solder by reheating the joint and adding a small amount of fresh solder.

Q: Can I reuse the Perma Proto board? A: The board is intended for permanent use, but components can be desoldered with care. However, the board may be damaged through multiple soldering cycles.

Q: Is the board breadboard-compatible? A: Yes, the layout is designed to mimic a breadboard, making it easy to transfer circuits directly.

Q: How much current can the traces handle? A: The traces can handle a few hundred milliamps of current. For higher currents, reinforce the traces with additional solder or use external wires.

Q: Can I cut the board to a smaller size? A: Yes, the board can be cut using a PCB shear or a fine-toothed saw, but be cautious of creating sharp edges and damaging the layout.

For any further assistance or questions, please refer to the Adafruit community forums or contact Adafruit support.