My current project includes the following mounted on the enclosure:
Panel mount power switch (2 wires)
Panel mount DC power jack (2 wires)
9V battery (2 wires)
External piezo buzzer (2 wires)
Four panel mount momentary push buttons and an LED (6 wires)
LCD (3 wires)
GPS module (5 wires)
Each of these has a molex connector on the pcb. I’d like to minimize the number of wires and connectors in the next version to make it easier to build in small quantities. So I’m looking at putting the power switch, DC barrel jack, and 9V battery on the pcb. Are pcb-mounted switches and jacks durable? I’ve seen some switches and jacks that are through hole and have a panel mount nut, which seems stronger but adds extra steps to assembly. Is it reasonable to mount the power switch and barrel jack on the pcb and just protrude through a hole in the enclosure?
Panel mount power switch (2 wires)
Panel mount DC power jack (2 wires)
9V battery (2 wires)
External piezo buzzer (2 wires)
Four panel mount momentary push buttons and an LED (6 wires)
LCD (3 wires)
GPS module (5 wires)
Each of these has a molex connector on the pcb. I’d like to minimize the number of wires and connectors in the next version to make it easier to build in small quantities. So I’m looking at putting the power switch, DC barrel jack, and 9V battery on the pcb. Are pcb-mounted switches and jacks durable? I’ve seen some switches and jacks that are through hole and have a panel mount nut, which seems stronger but adds extra steps to assembly. Is it reasonable to mount the power switch and barrel jack on the pcb and just protrude through a hole in the enclosure?