Smallest Right Angle USB connector

**kwchan** · 09-12-2008, 10:30 AM

due to space constrain, I will need to find the smallest right angle USB connector

Tried ebay but the right angle connector seems to be quite big.

Anyone manage to find something smaller than this?

**GizmoQ** · 09-12-2008, 12:34 PM

Found a decent one at Staples and took it apart.

BELKIN F3U134VFLEX Flexible USB Cable Adapter

**sirnephilim** · 09-13-2008, 10:52 PM

I hacked up a touchscreen on an Eee PC a while back and couldn't find a USB connector small enough, so I just direct-soldered the connectors. You could probably chop down the plug and splice as well, but in my case that was still too big.

**FPeter** · 09-13-2008, 11:34 PM

DIY solution: buy a solderable USB A plug

cut the unrequired cable fixing flag on its back, solder and rotate the cable in right angle, then put hot-glue on it as isolation

when its temperature decreasing, you can form it with your fingers. i use this simple trick many times on several connector type...

**sirnephilim** · 09-13-2008, 11:56 PM

Pretty much any USB connector is solderable given an X-Acto knife. It's all wires.

**kwchan** · 09-14-2008, 01:58 AM

thanks for the idea...what about shielding? It would be important since i will be connecting to a portable hard disk

**sirnephilim** · 09-14-2008, 02:08 AM

I use silicone resin, usually. USB tops at 5V 500mA, so you can get away with using silicone sealant you buy at Lowes, etc. for bath and kitchen work. Glob it on, it's non-conductive and heat resistant to about 250 degrees.
Incidentally, why a portable HD? I can see taking your music from home-car-work, but AFAIK there's a speed hit especially if you're running the OS from it.

**FPeter** · 09-14-2008, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by kwchan

thanks for the idea...what about shielding? It would be important since i will be connecting to a portable hard disk

solder a wire on it, and fix it somewhere to a ground point (metal case, mobo)

**sirnephilim** · 09-14-2008, 01:57 PM

USB is self-grounding through whatever the mobo is grounded to, or the hub in the case of powered hubs.

**FPeter** · 09-14-2008, 03:05 PM

Originally Posted by sirnephilim

USB is self-grounding through whatever the mobo is grounded to, or the hub in the case of powered hubs.

yes, there is a ground wire (black) inside the plug, but the cable shielding is another! this should be grounded only on the PC side to a common ground point to avoid groundloop problems, and should be left open on the device side!