Great start up. Excellent guide on the pinouts and housings. Looking forward to making a couple rather than just cutting the housing off of a pre-made cable and sleeving it.
Thanks for this. Very helpful :)
I have one question though, how to you strip the very small usb wires? I just used a crappy tip on my soldering iron and melted the plastic sleeve off. Thanks so much for posting this :)
The cable guide is awesome but the one thing that really helped me is the last picture. I never learned tinning when I was learning to solder. I have one question though, how to you strip the very small usb wires? I just used a crappy tip on my soldering iron and melted the plastic sleeve off. Thanks so much for posting this :)Get some wire strippers. They will make everything so, so much easier.
Nubs what are we going to do if you ever get a real job......then you won't have time to post up so much awesome stuff on GH!!!
The cable guide is awesome but the one thing that really helped me is the last picture. I never learned tinning when I was learning to solder. I have one question though, how to you strip the very small usb wires? I just used a crappy tip on my soldering iron and melted the plastic sleeve off. Thanks so much for posting this :)
awesome guide nubs
like i said before haha :cool:
should save some people money on these cables ;D
As a note, if you clip the fifth mini usb tab that you don't use, it helps in terms of accessing the two tabs below it you do need.Show Image(http://sigma.octopart.com/11469326/image/Cooper-170M.jpg)what I use
I am trying to fix my Whiskerbox cable. The pictures in the OP showed only 4 wires. My cable has 5 wires.MoreShow Image(http://i.imgur.com/ozI2e2m.jpg)
Left to right: Blue (What is called Black in the OP), no color, red, no color, green. I didn't have any sleeving. Which wires do I hook up to the to the Mini USB end shown below?MoreShow Image(http://i.imgur.com/RqPxH1ih.jpg)
does anybody know where I can find those USB A housings?
I bought some from ebay but those came with a strain relief. (pictures mean nothing to chinese ebay sellers)
Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/eVqYEnSh.jpg)Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/RqPxH1ih.jpg)Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/YVRrcBo.jpg)
Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/eVqYEnSh.jpg)Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/RqPxH1ih.jpg)Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/YVRrcBo.jpg)
There appear to be some inconsistencies between these images. I believe White should be D- and Green should be D+ as in the first image. I am not sure how much it matters to switch the negative and positive data around though. Surely they don't switch depending on what USB type connector it is since they use the same colour. Fyi, your images are some of the first hits on Google for 'USB pinout' nubbinator.
Does the polarity of D+ and D- matter? The colours don't correspond to the same on the larger and smaller USB ports according to the images here, and neither does the pinout.
Second question, in the second image, is the lower middle one green or D-?
I have made two cables yesterday.
I made sure the wires are in correct position.
When I plug to computer and my keyboard, there is power but no data, meaning the pc does not recognize any devices plugged in.
What would be the problem?
I confirmed the connectors are intact :(
I have made two cables yesterday.
I made sure the wires are in correct position.
When I plug to computer and my keyboard, there is power but no data, meaning the pc does not recognize any devices plugged in.
What would be the problem?
I confirmed the connectors are intact :(
Great guide, thanks!
Does this apply to USB 3.0 cables as well?
I have made two cables yesterday.
I made sure the wires are in correct position.
When I plug to computer and my keyboard, there is power but no data, meaning the pc does not recognize any devices plugged in.
What would be the problem?
I confirmed the connectors are intact :(
The images in OP are wrong when it comes to D+ and D-, did you reverse them?
Yeah, follow colors, not the name since the name was accident flipped.LOL.
Great guide, thanks!
Does this apply to USB 3.0 cables as well?
USB 3.0 has 4 additional pins that are two very high speed differential pairs, like SATA (or PCI-express). Hand soldering these is at best challenging, if at all possible. You need to get the shielding and the impedance right, the wires length must match very precisely. But you don't need USB 3 for a keyboard (or any input device for that matter).
Am i able to just salvage any USB cable? like an old mouse.
Hey,
I don't mean to derail this thread, if the mods think this post should be placed elsewhere, please let me know.
I've made a few USB to Lightning cables thanks to this thread! Would anyone happen to know why they randomly stopped charging my iPhone? I don't believe it's a physical cable issue, but potentially related to "Unauthorized Cables" as often prompted by the iPhone.
Any advice or recommendations you might have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Mitch
Dear Sir Nubbi, the post shows your generous heart inclined to serve your brothers. How a coiled cable is made?
Dear Sir Nubbi, the post shows your generous heart inclined to serve your brothers. How a coiled cable is made?
Heat, a metal tube, and a lot of patience.
Did you update to 7.1 or higher on iOS? Apple started cracking down big time on non-MFi lightning cables on that first big update to iOS 7. Secondly, I'm assuming they do say "this device not made for iphone"?
Did you update to 7.1 or higher on iOS? Apple started cracking down big time on non-MFi lightning cables on that first big update to iOS 7. Secondly, I'm assuming they do say "this device not made for iphone"?
I am running iOS 8.1 (jailbroken) on my iPhone 6 and iOS 8.1.2 on my iPad mini Retina.
Now that you mention it though, it stopped giving me the prompt "This cable or accessory is not certified and may not work reliably"... Maybe the physical cable just failed, broken strand or solder potentially.
At any rate, does you know, is the part that indicates the cable is certified (MFi) within the Lightning connector itself? The reason I ask, as much as I'd hate to do this, if I were to chop Apple OEM cables keep the OEM Lightning connector but replace the USB A Male end, I might bypass this issue?
Thanks again!
Mitch
This is a great thread and I have learned a lot here. Thank you guys :thumb: I have acquired all the materials to make a few cables but I've noticed that different cables have various charge speeds (I think due to various size AWG wires) and the donor cables I purchased for this project aren't very good.
Are there any particularly good but still affordable donor usb cables? (I will be working with paracord)
Is usb shielded cat5 cable? Does anyone know of cable that can be purchased by the foot but will also fit inside paracord?
Just wanted to say THANK YOU for posting this! I've had this topic bookmarked for a while and finally got around to making some cables.
I had a terrible time with the friggen heat shrink... but the plastic clippy usb houses are wonderful.Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/5o7ph5o.jpg)
Just wanted to say THANK YOU for posting this! I've had this topic bookmarked for a while and finally got around to making some cables.
I had a terrible time with the friggen heat shrink... but the plastic clippy usb houses are wonderful.Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/5o7ph5o.jpg)
I'm not a huge fan of coiled cables that looks quite nice, especially with your new bros! Hope you get a topre board soonShow Image(https://geekhack.org/Smileys/solosmileys/thumbsup.gif)
the plastic clippy usb houses are wonderful.For me the moulding for the fullsize-end always kept coming out whenever I unplugged it. I had to glue it in place. Now I just leave the bare-metal on there, but I am always a fan of the very simple look.
Thanks for the guide Nub
This is what I made today
(http://i1164.photobucket.com/albums/q572/Calvin_XC/IMG_7071_zpsw5yo0aaq.jpg) (http://s1164.photobucket.com/user/Calvin_XC/media/IMG_7071_zpsw5yo0aaq.jpg.html)
Braided OFC USB cable
Thanks for the guide Nub;)
This is what I made today
(http://i1164.photobucket.com/albums/q572/Calvin_XC/IMG_7071_zpsw5yo0aaq.jpg) (http://s1164.photobucket.com/user/Calvin_XC/media/IMG_7071_zpsw5yo0aaq.jpg.html)
Braided OFC USB cable
DAYUM!!!!!!
My ebay cart is full but I have 2 questions before I jump:
- What size heat shrink should I get? 1/2"? Does it need to be smaller for the USB MINI-B?
Sorry if these have already been answered elsewhere I read the whole thread without seeing them.
- Is 550 Paracord with 7 strand core a good fit? I know you said it's all different but what is the basic type to aim for?
Just wanted to say THANK YOU for posting this! I've had this topic bookmarked for a while and finally got around to making some cables.
I had a terrible time with the friggen heat shrink... but the plastic clippy usb houses are wonderful.Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/5o7ph5o.jpg)
Thanks for the guide Nub
This is what I made today
(http://i1164.photobucket.com/albums/q572/Calvin_XC/IMG_7071_zpsw5yo0aaq.jpg) (http://s1164.photobucket.com/user/Calvin_XC/media/IMG_7071_zpsw5yo0aaq.jpg.html)
Braided OFC USB cable
Does anyone know where to get bulk USB cable. I've done a fair amount of searching and I just can't seem to find anything. Are you guys just clipping the ends on pre-made cables and then re-sleeving?
Does anyone know where to get bulk USB cable. I've done a fair amount of searching and I just can't seem to find anything. Are you guys just clipping the ends on pre-made cables and then re-sleeving?
Here is a 100" spool I have found:
http://www.l-com.com/usb-usb-rev-20-compliant-28-28awg-bulk-cable-100-ft-spool
I am going to order some and see how good it is or how crappy it is and I will post back here once I find out. I don't know how long it will take to get it but I will be testing it as soon as it gets here!
Does anyone know where to get bulk USB cable. I've done a fair amount of searching and I just can't seem to find anything. Are you guys just clipping the ends on pre-made cables and then re-sleeving?
Here is a 100" spool I have found:
http://www.l-com.com/usb-usb-rev-20-compliant-28-28awg-bulk-cable-100-ft-spool
I am going to order some and see how good it is or how crappy it is and I will post back here once I find out. I don't know how long it will take to get it but I will be testing it as soon as it gets here!
I ended up at the same conclusion. It seems to be the only place that sells bulk usb cable which I found odd. Report back with your results. I'm curious to see if paracord will fit over it.
You shouldn't have too much trouble buying cable to make usb cables... Definitely don't need to go to alibaba. If you google something like 4 core 28 awg or 24 awg (I use 24 awg) cable you should have plenty of results. You also don't really need shielded cable unless you have a noticeable amount of EMI that affects your equipment, don't need that drain wire inside as well.
If you need to buy all the equipment then the initial cost will be high, but the cost per cable will be low when you divide the cost of the cable parts.
Does anyone know where to get bulk USB cable. I've done a fair amount of searching and I just can't seem to find anything. Are you guys just clipping the ends on pre-made cables and then re-sleeving?
Here is a 100" spool I have found:
http://www.l-com.com/usb-usb-rev-20-compliant-28-28awg-bulk-cable-100-ft-spool
I am going to order some and see how good it is or how crappy it is and I will post back here once I find out. I don't know how long it will take to get it but I will be testing it as soon as it gets here!
You shouldn't have too much trouble buying cable to make usb cables... Definitely don't need to go to alibaba. If you google something like 4 core 28 awg or 24 awg (I use 24 awg) cable you should have plenty of results. You also don't really need shielded cable unless you have a noticeable amount of EMI that affects your equipment, don't need that drain wire inside as well.
If you need to buy all the equipment then the initial cost will be high, but the cost per cable will be low when you divide the cost of the cable parts.
Well I have a soldering station, I have a hot air blaster... I ordered some shrink cable and plugs but I really can't find by the meter 4 core cables with 26/28awg.
It's probably because I have to search on polish websites and I don't speak polish... so it kinda complicates it.
I already tried all kinds of combinations of 4 core 4 wire awg etc. and didn't find anything really. very annoying.
I'm also a little confused about the paracord. do people generally just buy a few meters of paracord and then sleeve it themselves or would one just buy already sleeved cable?
Where are you from??
And yes, you just buy the paracord, take out the 7 strands inside and sleeve it over the cable.
Does anyone know where to get bulk USB cable. I've done a fair amount of searching and I just can't seem to find anything. Are you guys just clipping the ends on pre-made cables and then re-sleeving?
Here is a 100" spool I have found:
http://www.l-com.com/usb-usb-rev-20-compliant-28-28awg-bulk-cable-100-ft-spool
I am going to order some and see how good it is or how crappy it is and I will post back here once I find out. I don't know how long it will take to get it but I will be testing it as soon as it gets here!
I ended up at the same conclusion. It seems to be the only place that sells bulk usb cable which I found odd. Report back with your results. I'm curious to see if paracord will fit over it.
Where are you from??
And yes, you just buy the paracord, take out the 7 strands inside and sleeve it over the cable.
Moved from SoCal to Poland... things are complicated here... I can literally not find any place that just sells cable and ali gives me 1000m MOQ...
Where are you from??
And yes, you just buy the paracord, take out the 7 strands inside and sleeve it over the cable.
Moved from SoCal to Poland... things are complicated here... I can literally not find any place that just sells cable and ali gives me 1000m MOQ...
Can you not order from l-com? If not I will be buying another 100' of 28ga and 100' of 24ga next month. I could reship some to you next month if you're still unable to get just straight USB cable in Poland.
One thing that I have been meaning to ask everyone, what size heatshrink do you use? I have quite a bit of 3/8" 3:1 heatshrink (25' of black, purple, blue, orange, and clear) which seems to be almost the perfect size, any bigger and when it is shrunk it wouldn't fit the cable and any smaller and it wouldn't fit the USB-A connector. The only problem is that it has to be stretched a tiny amount to fit over the USB-A end. Once it is on there the sharp edges of the connector make the heatshrink look a little thin to me on the colored heatshrink, the black and clear are thicker and the sharp edges don't look bad on them but the colored shrink looks a little rough to me.
I am not sure if that is because I bought the heatshrink from CableOrganizer.com (http://www.cableorganizer.com/heat-shrink/heat-shrink3.htm) and their colored shrink is just thinner but I haven't been able to find that range of colors from any other place. I know MDPC-X has some of the colors but they definitely don't have them all (they're missing purple, orange, and clear) and since their heatshrink is so much more expensive I don't want to buy it without knowing it is thicker than the CableOrganizer shrink. Even if I do go with MDPC-X in the future I will still be missing some colors which I really want to go without (orange is my favorite color).
Also, what does everyone use to clamp the metal shield for the USB connectors to the cable? Right now I am using a pair of needle-nosed pliers but I feel like there is a tool, like there is for the modular power supply cable pins, that I could buy to make the clamp more uniform without having to spend so much time on it but I haven't been able to find it yet.
Sorry for the necro, but if anyone is still wondering about where to get unterminated cable from: I couldn't find any supplies either, so I am using this from Aliexpress as a substitute: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/20M-15M-10M-5M-USB2-0-Male-to-Female-Active-Repeater-Extension-Extender-Cable-Cord-M/32667153074.html
It's a 20m usb 2.0 extension cable that you can just use to cut off as much as you need. I didn't buy this one exactly, I bought one from eBay.co.uk but I'm pretty sure it's the same stuff, and it's pretty substantial at around 5-6mm in diameter (don't have a set of precision measure tools).
The product code for the cable I use is CB11474 on CPC. This is unshielded. I only use these for non-coiled cables, they do not coil well at all. For coiled cables I use a different cable but it's 4x the price.
The product code for the cable I use is CB11474 on CPC. This is unshielded. I only use these for non-coiled cables, they do not coil well at all. For coiled cables I use a different cable but it's 4x the price.
I thought that to meet usb specification the wire had to be shielded and have twisted data pairs? How many cables have you used this for and has it held up well to being used as a data/power cable?
I had saw this stuff before buying the extension cord, but I was dubious as it wasn't up to the usb specification and I didn't want to be stuck with 100m of the stuff if it wasn't good. Would be a really good option if everything is good with it though, as you get 5x the length for the same price (and it's thin enough to wrap in 550 paracord too, whereas the stuff I posted isn't)
If you read up USB cable specs, there are many sources that say shielded is not absolute necessary. For environments where interference like EMI could be a problem and actually affect the data on each end of the cable then shielded cables are needed. Twisted pairs are for cancelling out EMI as well. Unless you live in an area where EMI is actually a problem then yeah, use shielded. But really how many people's households are actually affected by this lol.
I'm half way through my second 100m reel and none of the ones I've sold has come back. I won't name who but a reputable cable seller here in U.K. also uses non shielded cables for non coiled cables. I only use shielded for coiled cables because it holds coil much better.
So really, shielded cables are not really necessary. Some people don't go anywhere near unshielded cables but that's just in their heads if you ask me haha. That reel on CPC is fine for straight cables.
1. Anyone know where to get lightning adapters? I would love to make some charging cables for friends/family but can't seem to find them anywhere.
1. Anyone know where to get lightning adapters? I would love to make some charging cables for friends/family but can't seem to find them anywhere.
probably can't since its licensed by apple(/intel?)
I am having a heck of a time sourcing the tiered connectors. Anyone have any ideas?
Sleeving is either paracord if you are into that, or sleeving from MDPC-X (very high quality) which is a bit stiffer and more plastic-like.I am having a heck of a time sourcing the tiered connectors. Anyone have any ideas?
Do you looking for this?
http://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_nkw=10PCS+Soldering+USB+Type+A+Male+Plug+Connector+w+Metal+Shell+for+DIY&_id=291519646479&&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2658 (http://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_nkw=10PCS+Soldering+USB+Type+A+Male+Plug+Connector+w+Metal+Shell+for+DIY&_id=291519646479&&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2658)
http://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_nkw=10sets+Metal+Shell+Housing+Mini+5pin+USB+Male+Plug+Socket+Connector+for+PC+Use&_id=322131371544&&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2658 (http://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_nkw=10sets+Metal+Shell+Housing+Mini+5pin+USB+Male+Plug+Socket+Connector+for+PC+Use&_id=322131371544&&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2658)
Can somebady tell me where can I buy good sleeving for cable (EU and CN if possible)
Thank you :thumb:
Thanks for the guide Nub
This is what I made today
(http://i1164.photobucket.com/albums/q572/Calvin_XC/IMG_7071_zpsw5yo0aaq.jpg) (http://s1164.photobucket.com/user/Calvin_XC/media/IMG_7071_zpsw5yo0aaq.jpg.html)
Braided OFC USB cable
Hey Nubbinator. I found this write-up very helpful. I think I have just about everything I need to start making my own cables but here is one question for you. What type of Flux do you (or anyone else) recommend?
And do you have any tips on soldering the small connectors?
Thanks
_Asher
Hi guys! Where do you buy Techflex sleeves?For me, wirecare.
Hi guys! Where do you buy Techflex sleeves?For me, wirecare.
https://www.wirecare.com/category/heatshrink-tubing/abrasion-rugged/3-1-dual-wall-adhesive-specialty
But I want to ask something else. How do I choose thickness?
I mean, i want to use a specific sleeve that only have 1/4" available. I guess that's about 22AWG. Do I use a cable a little thiner (like 23 AWG) or with the same thickness?
Same question for the heatshrink.
Thank you for response.
Anybody does know where can I find micro-USB socket, but in metal casing?
(Like this mini-USB: http://thumbs1.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/mSLpMo6r6PV1Heujt340Ifg.jpg)
what are you using for the cable itself do you have a way of getting unterminated usb cabling?
o and what size sleeving should i get?
are you using just regular 550 para-cord?what are you using for the cable itself do you have a way of getting unterminated usb cabling?
o and what size sleeving should i get?
I get mine from Digikey (https://www.digikey.com/products/en?keywords=cn230b-50), but you can probably find it on eBay cheaper.
I use 550 paracord for sleeving.
are you using just regular 550 para-cord?what are you using for the cable itself do you have a way of getting unterminated usb cabling?
o and what size sleeving should i get?
I get mine from Digikey (https://www.digikey.com/products/en?keywords=cn230b-50), but you can probably find it on eBay cheaper.
I use 550 paracord for sleeving.
and I dont see the diameter of the cable it self on the digikey listing
are you using just regular 550 para-cord?what are you using for the cable itself do you have a way of getting unterminated usb cabling?
o and what size sleeving should i get?
I get mine from Digikey (https://www.digikey.com/products/en?keywords=cn230b-50), but you can probably find it on eBay cheaper.
I use 550 paracord for sleeving.
and I dont see the diameter of the cable it self on the digikey listing
The paracord majority of people use (including myself) for sleeving cables are commonly known as 550 type III paracord. These should be listed as 4mm diameter.
The cable in the digikey link is 3.81mm outer diamter, it is labed as 'Jacket Diameter'.
What do you use to make the coiled cables? I'm struggling to find a 4-core cable that is thin enough for paracord.are you using just regular 550 para-cord?what are you using for the cable itself do you have a way of getting unterminated usb cabling?
o and what size sleeving should i get?
I get mine from Digikey (https://www.digikey.com/products/en?keywords=cn230b-50), but you can probably find it on eBay cheaper.
I use 550 paracord for sleeving.
and I dont see the diameter of the cable it self on the digikey listing
The paracord majority of people use (including myself) for sleeving cables are commonly known as 550 type III paracord. These should be listed as 4mm diameter.
The cable in the digikey link is 3.81mm outer diamter, it is labed as 'Jacket Diameter'.
Might be a bit late to the party, but this is the only place I could find the wiring for the mini B connector (the one with the kinked shape) http://i.imgur.com/RqPxH1ih.jpg
Unfortunately I think the diagram shown here has D+ and D- reversed. I was trying to make a custom USB cable to program an Arduino nano board and couldn't get it to work until I swapped the D- and D+ connections.
I believe D- should be on the top row of 2 pins, and D+ on the bottom row with 3 pins. So the bottom row should be GND,D+,Vcc. This also seems more consistent with the micro plug.