Super Breadboard 2: a breadboard on steroids

Description

A prototyping board based on a standard 400 pin breadboard. Has multiple voltage rails (+5, +12 and -12V), 8-bit data input and output connectors, a Clock and Action line. It has 3.3V regulation on the board itself, based on the 5V input. The 5V and 3.3V lines are protected against short circuits, power is then cut off and this is indicated by a red LED. Some other handy goodies are around the breadboard, including a USB-C port that can act as a breakout for a prototype, or it can supply 5V power (3.3V is derived) by using a power bank. A push button and LED (with resistor) are ready for use. All signals of the extension interface can be bridged using jumpers. For example: the four high-nibble input-bits can be tied to the output when they are not used on the breadboard.

Details

The project is compatible with the 8-bit Workbench™ extension bus and can connect to other projects of mine:

8-bit Workbench™; an annotated 8-bit display that talks hexadecimal and octal. An Action-button provides a properly de-bounced signal to use with microprocessors or TTL logic.
Terrific Timer; a versatile clock board that provides an adjustable astable clock (0.7 - 480 Hz) and a monostable pulse (110 ms). Lets you insert custom 555-timer parts.
Binary Keyboard; adds a retro 8-bit toggling experience to your experiments.
Hex Keyboard; turn-in a hexadecimal code (0-F) for the high- and the low-nibble. The output, a full byte (8-bits), can then be used with attached experiments. Supports a Logic Probe as well.

These are all available as kits.

More information is on my website.

Files

SuperBreadboard2Schematics.pdf

Schematics

Adobe Portable Document Format - 304.35 kB - 05/18/2026 at 14:51

Preview

SuperBreadboard2BoM.pdf

Bill of Materials

Adobe Portable Document Format - 179.17 kB - 05/18/2026 at 14:51

Preview

PrototypeExample.pdf

Counter Example

Adobe Portable Document Format - 104.07 kB - 02/18/2026 at 14:06

Preview

Project Logs

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Overview of Features
Nijssen • 05/21/2026 at 10:13 • 0 comments
Battery cable reel
Nijssen • 05/12/2026 at 13:35 • 0 comments

At the back side I created a cable reel out of two angled header pins, it works out pretty well. Makes it easy to store away the 9V battery cable when the Super Breadboard 2 is powered by USB-C (or by an attached 8-bit Workbench).
New prototype arrives
Nijssen • 04/10/2026 at 08:00 • 0 comments

The next-release prototype board arrived!
Going to test the new features, like the USB-C connector, 9-volt battery input and logic probe support (left or right hand side connector). The new kits are going to be partly pre-assembled, all the small parts will be on the PCB already. Will try to keep the price close to (or the same as) the previous version.
Improvements
Nijssen • 03/17/2026 at 08:18 • 0 comments
Currently designing the following improvements:
- Move to USB-C (still with breakout).
- Logic Probe support (will be also available as a kit).
- Power ON/OFF with a slide switch.
- Support battery power (6.5 - 12 V).
- All in the same compact form factor.
Any ideas? Let me know!

View all 4 project logs

Discussions

Nijssen wrote 02/18/2026 at 14:12

Currently taking notes from users what to include in a second, improved version. Let me know if you have any ideas.

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Super Breadboard 2: a breadboard on steroids

Description

Details