Reuse microUSB cable?

[aeroencychris]

Hi,

For lack of a better section, I'm going to put this thread here, since it's technically a "mod". Anyways, I have a rather nice, long microUSB cable for my phone I picked up from Amazon. The microUSB end soon broke, though, and is now not usable. Would it be possible to cut off the broken end, buy a new microUSB connector, and solder it on, or is that plan just too crazy/hard? I'd really like to reuse this cable, it's really long and braided with a nice design.

 

Thanks,

-Chris

[Jacktastic-Mofo]

Hi,

For lack of a better section, I'm going to put this thread here, since it's technically a "mod". Anyways, I have a rather nice, long microUSB cable for my phone I picked up from Amazon. The microUSB end soon broke, though, and is now not usable. Would it be possible to cut off the broken end, buy a new microUSB connector, and solder it on, or is that plan just too crazy/hard? I'd really like to reuse this cable, it's really long and braided with a nice design.

 

Thanks,

-Chris

I'm sure if you had another Micro USB cable you could trim the end off of that a few inches from the termination and simply solder the two working halves of the cable together, making sure to match the cable colors.

[W-L]

-SNIP-

 

Yes that can be done a bit of fine solder work and sleeving but possible:

https://www.adafruit.com/products/1390

[MblaZe7run]

Easy. Depending on your soldering skills. I would repurpose an old, shorter, USB cable of the same gauge wire though. I've soldered several switches in-line of a microUSB cable for use with a Rapsberry Pi with much success. The cable was still able to push 2.4A through it after all was said and done.

[Emanuel_M]

Hi,

For lack of a better section, I'm going to put this thread here, since it's technically a "mod". Anyways, I have a rather nice, long microUSB cable for my phone I picked up from Amazon. The microUSB end soon broke, though, and is now not usable. Would it be possible to cut off the broken end, buy a new microUSB connector, and solder it on, or is that plan just too crazy/hard? I'd really like to reuse this cable, it's really long and braided with a nice design.

 

Thanks,

-Chris

just buy a new one. Lol I mean you could do it if you wanted, but it would break again.

[orangecat]

Aslong as the wires go to the right pins yes you can fix it.

[aeroencychris]

just buy a new one. Lol I mean you could do it if you wanted, but it would break again.

It was the actual metal part of the connector that bent, so soldering a new one wouldn't make it any less secure in that case.

[aeroencychris]

Easy. Depending on your soldering skills. I would repurpose an old, shorter, USB cable of the same gauge wire though. I've soldered several switches in-line of a microUSB cable for use with a Rapsberry Pi with much success. The cable was still able to push 2.4A through it after all was said and done.

I've had some scary experiences with small wires, would they be big enough to actually work with?

[aeroencychris]

Yes that can be done a bit of fine solder work and sleeving but possible:

https://www.adafruit.com/products/1390

Do you think it's better to buy their connector rather than using an old one and soldering the two together?

[MblaZe7run]

I'll be honest, it can be a pain in the ass. I've got a set of helping hands with a magnifying glass (and 80mm fan modded on to blow fumes away) to hold the wires for me. It has helped significantly.

[W-L]

I've had some scary experiences with small wires, would they be big enough to actually work with?

Do you think it's better to buy their connector rather than using an old one and soldering the two together?

 

It would give a cleaner looks especially if your going to sleeving and everything, the premium hand sleeved cables use those types of snap together cases and solder on connectors. As for the wires sizes they are usually 28AWG so fairly thin stranded wire.

[RebelSam]

On 8/25/2015 at 6:36 PM, cdsboy2000 said:

Hi,

For lack of a better section, I'm going to put this thread here, since it's technically a "mod". Anyways, I have a rather nice, long microUSB cable for my phone I picked up from Amazon. The microUSB end soon broke, though, and is now not usable. Would it be possible to cut off the broken end, buy a new microUSB connector, and solder it on, or is that plan just too crazy/hard? I'd really like to reuse this cable, it's really long and braided with a nice design.

 

Thanks,

-Chris

Here's some plugs they seem to be pretty easy to solder on, but I'm not sure how well the build quality is. They are pretty cheap for a crap ton of them so I'd give it a shot. Here's the link to them.?. http://www.dx.com/p/diy-90-degree-angle-micro-usb-male-plug-adapters-black-10-pcs-363228?tc=USD&gclid=CjwKEAiA_ra1BRDV-byb_aDqpQoSJAA-ofB9uzn1loB00yRTWkglij4bB0b4CV-p4aidtewdxWKw1BoCMLDw_wcB#.Vq8K8HNOnqA

[aeroencychris]

11 hours ago, RebelSam said:

Here's some plugs they seem to be pretty easy to solder on, but I'm not sure how well the build quality is. They are pretty cheap for a crap ton of them so I'd give it a shot. Here's the link to them.?. http://www.dx.com/p/diy-90-degree-angle-micro-usb-male-plug-adapters-black-10-pcs-363228?tc=USD&gclid=CjwKEAiA_ra1BRDV-byb_aDqpQoSJAA-ofB9uzn1loB00yRTWkglij4bB0b4CV-p4aidtewdxWKw1BoCMLDw_wcB#.Vq8K8HNOnqA

I've already gotten rid of that cable from long ago but thanks for the help

[Brennan Price]

Sure is possible. Use electrical tape to cover it, it doesn't have to be the neatest or strongest for that matter unless it is gonna be moved/used a lot.