tiny usb connectors

  • Thread starter Thread starter Norm X
  • Start date Start date
N

Norm X

This post is not Xposted.

In a previous post I mentioned that Linux runs Skype well, but Windows does
not run Skype on old machines. I also found that Linux based Skype could use
my old webcam from my Xbox 360. However performance is inconsistent.

I ordered a replacement internal webcam for this old netbook PC. However,
because of progressive obsolesce, I got a slightly smaller device. The new
device I got expects a 4 mm. USB connector whereas the old connector is 5
mm. If I could get a 5 mm female USB connector I could solder its conductors
to a 4 mm male USB connector.

Does anybody here know about tiny parts? Trust me I have Googled. I have
emailed potential suppliers but such parts are real cheap. I just need a
link to a website so I can order parts. Thanks.

X
 
Norm said:
This post is not Xposted.

In a previous post I mentioned that Linux runs Skype well, but Windows does
not run Skype on old machines. I also found that Linux based Skype could use
my old webcam from my Xbox 360. However performance is inconsistent.

I ordered a replacement internal webcam for this old netbook PC. However,
because of progressive obsolesce, I got a slightly smaller device. The new
device I got expects a 4 mm. USB connector whereas the old connector is 5
mm. If I could get a 5 mm female USB connector I could solder its conductors
to a 4 mm male USB connector.

Does anybody here know about tiny parts? Trust me I have Googled. I have
emailed potential suppliers but such parts are real cheap. I just need a
link to a website so I can order parts. Thanks.

X
Click to expand...

Depends what country you're in, as to where to buy.

You want to avoid border crossings if possible.

In the US of A, you might use Digikey or Mouser.

In Canadar, you might try Newark.ca

http://canada.newark.com/webapp/wcs...unt&pageSize=25&showResults=true&pf=810109787

http://canada.newark.com/te-connect...ost=usb+surface+mount&categoryId=800000006601

In the UK, maybe Maplin ? Not sure.

*******

Take a look through this article, until you find
the proper name for the connector.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usb

Some stores have a minimum purchase, so you can
buy yourself a hundred LEDs to fill out the order :-)
Just in time for Christmas lights.

Paul
 
Paul

Thanks.

The problem is that the smallest consumer style USB connector is "micro",
6.85 mm. and might be found in a cell phone. What I want is 4 mm. inside the
bezel of a netbook. I guess the only solution is cannibalism. I used to
maintain my used cars using cannibalism.
 
Norm said:
Thanks.

The problem is that the smallest consumer style USB connector is "micro",
6.85 mm. and might be found in a cell phone. What I want is 4 mm. inside the
bezel of a netbook. I guess the only solution is cannibalism. I used to
maintain my used cars using cannibalism.
Click to expand...

Is the connector like this ?

http://www.element14.com/community/servlet/JiveServlet/showImage/2-23968-34986/Webcam.JPG

( http://www.element14.com/community/thread/9685/l/laptop-webcam-to-usb )

Some of the laptop webcams use an adapter cable, to connect the camera in the panel
area, to the motherboard in the base. The connector on those doesn't appear to be
"USB" in nature. Just a 1xN JEIDA connector of some sort. I was looking on Ebay,
and there were a ton of cables that were probably all coming from the same seller.
Like everyone goes around losing that cable or something.

What you could consider doing, is locate the appropriate adapter cable for
your laptop on Ebay. When the cable arrives, chop the head off it and work
with the bare wires, on the end for which you have no connector at present.
Then, solder the wires into place.

I did something like this on a failed ATI9800 video card. The connector burned
on the AGP video card (connector on end of card for AUX power input). Since I didn't
have the right connector, I chopped up a Molex Y cable, and soldered the cable
right to the PCB. Worked fine. The load through two of the wires in that
case, is slightly over 5 amps.

In the above article, the connectors have more than five pins. Just make note
of the order of the colors, before chopping the head off the cable, and
solder the cable into place in the same order. And hope the wire inside the
cable, isn't something goofy that won't solder.

I hope that camera is worth the effort. The webcam in my laptop,
is only suitable as a tiny doorstop. I wouldn't consider shooting
pictures of anything with it. On some laptops (like mine), the webcam
is "just a subassembly to plug that hole up top". It's not really
intended to be used by humans.

Paul
 
Paul said:
Is the connector like this ?

http://www.element14.com/community/servlet/JiveServlet/showImage/2-23968-34986/Webcam.JPG

( http://www.element14.com/community/thread/9685/l/laptop-webcam-to-usb )

Some of the laptop webcams use an adapter cable, to connect the camera in
the panel
area, to the motherboard in the base. The connector on those doesn't
appear to be
"USB" in nature. Just a 1xN JEIDA connector of some sort. I was looking on
Ebay,
and there were a ton of cables that were probably all coming from the same
seller.
Like everyone goes around losing that cable or something.

What you could consider doing, is locate the appropriate adapter cable for
your laptop on Ebay. When the cable arrives, chop the head off it and work
with the bare wires, on the end for which you have no connector at
present.
Then, solder the wires into place.

I did something like this on a failed ATI9800 video card. The connector
burned
on the AGP video card (connector on end of card for AUX power input).
Since I didn't
have the right connector, I chopped up a Molex Y cable, and soldered the
cable
right to the PCB. Worked fine. The load through two of the wires in that
case, is slightly over 5 amps.

In the above article, the connectors have more than five pins. Just make
note
of the order of the colors, before chopping the head off the cable, and
solder the cable into place in the same order. And hope the wire inside
the
cable, isn't something goofy that won't solder.

I hope that camera is worth the effort. The webcam in my laptop,
is only suitable as a tiny doorstop. I wouldn't consider shooting
pictures of anything with it. On some laptops (like mine), the webcam
is "just a subassembly to plug that hole up top". It's not really
intended to be used by humans.

Paul
Click to expand...

Sounds good Paul. That is good picture. The original internal webcam had a 5
mm USB. The replacement I got has a 4 mm USB. Software told me it was on the
USB chain. I'll see if I can track down parts as you suggest. eBay vendors
will ship parts worth pennies.

The internal webcam is for selfie videos of the type used in Skype. Skype no
longer works on my Windows because of bloatware effects but there is a lean
equivalent. Google phone has a video mode but Google has bad service.

I have been using Skype on Kali Debian Linux. Linux Skype is lean. My Xbox
360 webcam works with Linux Skype. The picture is tiny but there is
illumination. However, it is hard to direct the camera at my face. In
addition, my friends with Skype on iPhone no longer use video because of
costs. Old age sucks because of the poverty.
 
"John McGaw" wrote > On 11/1/2014 3:57 PM, Norm X wrote:

I've read your post a few times and still don't understand what sort of
connector you are looking for. An _internal_ webcam which uses a _4 mm
USB_ connector. That does not compute. How about posting a good detailed
picture of what you have and perhaps I can tell you where to start
looking. I've always found that Sparkfun.com is a good place to seek weird
little connectors but...
Click to expand...

Paul posted a good picture. Thanks for the link.
 
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