Usb Mini-a Plug, Anyone stuck for the mini-A plug Options

[louigi600]

If any of you are stuck because they cannot find a USB mini-A (plug) to A (receptable) adapter cable but you have tons of mini-B cables: no fear you can make one for your self (moderate soldering capabilities required).

You can see all the dateils on my home page (see signature) in the "ZElectronics" section.

[pelrun]

Oh, you mean like my trick?

Nice to know I'm not the only crazy one around here...

[louigi600]

Oh, you mean like my trick?
Nice to know I'm not the only crazy one around here...

More or less the same thing ... but I made mine from 2 separate cables so I have at each end exactly the plug I wanted: mini-a (plug) -> A (receptable).

[Drake01]

More or less the same thing ... but I made mine from 2 separate cables so I have at each end exactly the plug I wanted: mini-a (plug) -> A (receptable).

"Cannibalize" and "Frankenstein" are usually associated with B movies, but that's what I'm planning on doing. Cannibalize a couple cables to make the Frankencable!

[louigi600]

"Cannibalize" and "Frankenstein" are usually associated with B movies, but that's what I'm planning on doing.  Cannibalize a couple cables to make the Frankencable!

Frankencable ... rotl .... like Spectaculatrix frankenzaurus :-D

In any case I have the whole Frankenaccessory family:
I've a homebrew power splitter and power cable for USB HUB,
I've a homebrew external battery pack,
I've modified the Z charger leed so that I can use it with and without my power splitter and with my external battery pack.

I'll be making a special charge circuit for my external battery pack so that I can charge it with the 5V from my power splitter while using it to power up Z and USB HUB.

Watchout for updates on the "ZElectronics" section on my homepage.

[kurochka]

All this is scary! I guess you can fry your USB host (if not the whole Z) if your soldering skills are like mine.

[louigi600]

All this is scary!  I guess you can fry your USB host (if not the whole Z) if your soldering skills are like mine.

This has prooven not to be true so please read what Meanie has to say and what I replied after that.

Well i'ts difficult bedause the data lines should theorically have a hight enough internal impedence to make them pretty safe. The power lines are driven by some circuit that should have thermal shutdown protection.
The chip that drives the 300mA for USB OTG is said to be safe upto just over 500mA, since it is crippled to only drive at most 300mA I'm pretty sure that it can survive shortcitcuit for a few moments while you check if the cable works.

Even if they are not you should allways double check that soldering is good before connecting.
I also like to make a third check if possible: plug into old hardware firs for a test run.

Well whatever ... don't blame me if you toast your Z ;-)

This post has been edited by louigi600: May 1 2007, 12:45 AM

[Meanie]

All this is scary!  I guess you can fry your USB host (if not the whole Z) if your soldering skills are like mine.

Well i'ts difficult bedause the data lines should theorically have a hight enough internal impedence to make them pretty safe. The power lines are driven by some circuit that should have thermal shutdown protection.
The chip that drives the 300mA for USB OTG is said to be safe upto just over 500mA, since it is crippled to only drive at most 300mA I'm pretty sure that it can survive shortcitcuit for a few moments while you check if the cable works.

Even if they are not you should allways double check that soldering is good before connecting.
I also like to make a third check if possible: plug into old hardware firs for a test run.

Well whatever ... don't blame me if you toast your Z ;-)

i toasted my Z once by sticking in a faulty usb cable. that same faulty usb cable also killed my digital camera, but it didn't have smoke coming out of its backside like it did on my Z luckily, i got it replaced after sending it back to japan...
after that experience, i would rather pay some overpriced amount of money for the usb host cable rather than risking frying the Z...

[louigi600]

i toasted my Z once by sticking in a faulty usb cable. that same faulty usb cable also killed my digital camera, but it didn't have smoke coming out of its backside like it did on my Z luckily, i got it replaced after sending it back to japan...
after that experience, i would rather pay some overpriced amount of money for the usb host cable rather than risking frying the Z...

Ok I'll haveto correct my posting:

It's possible to fry your Z with a falty soldered cable so take special kare not do fry your Z (and if you do toast it don't blame me):
1) check connections with tester before any real operation on usb,
2) if possible check on some near to scrap hardware first to make sure it will not damage the good hardware,
3) seal the plugs and repeat steps 1 and 2 to make sure that the sealing action did not dammage any soldering,
4) if the 3 steps above are successfull you can now safely plug it into you good hardware.