I have built a small IoT application that runs on my RP. I would like to deploy it permanently in my home, but would like to formalize the breadboard setup into something a little more durable and lasting. What is the right way to do this? Is there a preferred case that allows for screw terminals or perma-proto shield? I would like everything to be as compact as possible.
I am happy to solder as needed.
There are several options that very in flexibility, cost, difficulty etc.
My preferred method is to use a Pi Cobbler and a PermaProto Board from Adafruit. You could prototype with a breadboard and then transfer the components to the protoboard and solder the connections to make it more permanent (note there are more suppliers for these parts besides Adafruit, also I linked to the full size protobaord but it does come in smaller sizes).
You could carefully solder wire to the GPIO pins themselves - though I would not recommend this.
You could wirewrap the connections (this is the old school method and requires a special tool.
You could create a custom PCB, (either make it yourself or have it manufactured by a company like OSH Park) (when having it made this usually requires a minimum number of boards to be purchased and can be daunting for someone who has not done it before.
Depending on the environment you could just leave it on a breadboard with jumper wires.
