The self solder adaptor PCB provides a simple way to hook up to the UART (GPIO14/15, physical pins 8/10) of a (non-header) Raspberry Pi Zero/Zero 2 with a 3-pin JST-SH cable.

Whilst our Solderless Serial to USB adapter for RPi for the Pi Zero [W] are effortless they're not compatible with the newer Pi Zero 2 as the GPIO holes have a smaller diameter but, this PCB adaptor can be used on all (non-header) models of Pi Zero.

Usability

The connector/pinout is compliant with the Raspberry Pi 3-pin Debug Connector Specification (target) so it can be connected directly to the official Raspberry Pi Debug Probe using the 3-pin JST-SH cable provided with the probe.

It's also compatible with some of our other products:

• PiProbe - UART/SWD debug adaptor for 40-pin Raspberry Pi models.
• PicoProbe Sled - Pico based UART/SWD debug probe.
• PicoUART6 - Pico powered 6-port USB to SH Serial Adaptor.
• USB-C CDC Serial SH - Single port USB to SH Serial Adaptor.

Compatibility

Most 3-pin SH cables for Raspberry Pi are straight-through (pin 1 to pin 1) cables, this means it's not possible to connect a Pi Zero with this adaptor PCB directly to a Raspberry Pi 5 (you would be connecting a target to a target but the RX and TX must be crossed). To work around this you can use one of our (Purple 1-3) 3-pin SH Cable Joiners and two regular cables.

Assembly

To attach the adaptor PCB to the rear of the Pi Zero you will need regular soldering equipment (soldering iron/solder/tip cleaner/cutters/tape/eye protection), our recommended steps below are also shown in the last product image.

• Put the short side of the 3-pin header through the top of the Pi Zero (pins 6/8/10) with the long pins facing away from the Pi Zero (1).
• Ensure the pins are straight and tape the header to the front of the Pi Zero (2).
• Turn the Pi Zero over and place the adaptor PCB over the pins, align it with the edges of the Pi Zero and tape it into place (3).
• Solder one pin to the adaptor plate (4), ensure everything is still aligned correctly then solder the rest of the pins, remove the tape from this side.
• Turn the Pi Zero over, remove the tape and solder the header to the Pi Zero, again check alignment after the first pin and then solder the other two (5).
• Cut the pins between the right angle bend and solder joint (6).
• For a more professional finish add a little more solder to clean the connections up (7/8).
• Any residual flux can be cleaned off using Isopropanol (Isopropyl alcohol/IPA) if available.

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Deliveries to the USA are sent using RoyalMail PDDP (Postal Delivery Duties Paid).