Short USB lead

[RogerW]

With the advent of the official Pi screen there would appear to be a market for a very short (100 - 150 mm or 4 - 6 inch) mini USB - mini USB power lead. I think portable and robot projects would use a similar lead but with one standard connector. I have searched various suppliers but can find nothing like this. Do they exist?

[scotty101]

They must exist. The Raspberry Pi Guy showed one on his introduction video for the display.

I'd like one too and would like one with decent conductors.

[BMS Doug]

I had a bunch from amazon, they have a tendency to fall apart (which is a problem with cheap cables).

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_nos ... +usb+cable

[FTrevorGowen]

I had a bunch from amazon...

I've also acquired a few via that route and also "as supplied with" Powerbanks (but somewhat longer**):
http://www.cpmspectrepi.webspace.virgin ... pterCables
http://www.cpmspectrepi.webspace.virgin ... ttery.html
http://www.cpmspectrepi.webspace.virgin ... Power.html
and, FWIW, some cable resistance (one-way) here:
** http://www.cpmspectrepi.webspace.virgin ... wer_Cables
Trev.

[RogerW]

Will none of the regular suppliers rise to the challenge?

[BMS Doug]

Will none of the regular suppliers rise to the challenge?

depends who your regular suppliers are:

Farnell?

[mahjongg]

RS has a 150mm one:
http://nl.rs-online.com/web/p/usb-cable ... s/7903638/

[RogerW]

Will none of the regular suppliers rise to the challenge?

depends who your regular suppliers are:

Farnell?

You are obviously more adept at searching their site than me. I usually start at CPC rather than Farnell but I doubt if that matters.

However both Farnell and RS (thank you mahjongg) supply mini to type A. Useful for robots and portables but not for the PiScreen which I think needs mini - mini.

[BMS Doug]

You are obviously more adept at searching their site than me. I usually start at CPC rather than Farnell but I doubt if that matters.

However both Farnell and RS (thank you mahjongg) supply mini to type A. Useful for robots and portables but not for the PiScreen which I think needs mini - mini.

I'm pretty sure it needs a Type A to micro.

Edit: Yup

[rpdom]

You are obviously more adept at searching their site than me. I usually start at CPC rather than Farnell but I doubt if that matters.

However both Farnell and RS (thank you mahjongg) supply mini to type A. Useful for robots and portables but not for the PiScreen which I think needs mini - mini.

I'm pretty sure it needs a Type A to mini.

Not a Type A to micro?

[BMS Doug]

Not a Type A to micro?

Surely that's what I said...


It's definitely what I provided a link to anyway.

[geppetto]

It is a micro to USB type A that's needed for the display.
A lead with 90 degree connectors on each end would sit neater...

[RogerW]

It is a micro to USB type A that's needed for the display.
A lead with 90 degree connectors on each end would sit neater...

My mistake - thanks.

[fruit-uk]

If only someone would make USB plugs with big screw terminals then us olduns with tired eyesight and fat fingers could make our own leads up

[BMS Doug]

If only someone would make USB plugs with big screw terminals then us olduns with tired eyesight and fat fingers could make our own leads up

I've got some solder yourself micro USB plugs (and some Type A ones) and have made my own power leads with bellwire.

It works OK for Power, I don't want to try soldering data into a micro USB plug (I'm sure I could do it, but it would be fiddly, I'd rather not).

[fruit-uk]

I have some of those too but not got around to using them yet.
It's poor that there are so many sub-standard leads around with no real way of telling them apart other than trial and error

[BMS Doug]

I have some of those too but not got around to using them yet.
It's poor that there are so many sub-standard leads around with no real way of telling them apart other than trial and error

Yes, many leads appear to be made out of damp string*, probably cheaper than using copper.



I think that damp string is one of Dougie Lawson's phrases, but its a good metaphor.

[rpdom]

I've got some solder yourself micro USB plugs (and some Type A ones) and have made my own power leads with bellwire.

It works OK for Power, I don't want to try soldering data into a micro USB plug (I'm sure I could do it, but it would be fiddly, I'd rather not).

I've got some of those too. I also use them for power leads.

I have managed to make one working data lead as well. The soldering was fiddly and my eyesight isn't as good as it was when I was young

[ame]

Like this?
http://www.dx.com/p/cy-u2-075-le-angle- ... 0cm-222686

Someone would need to verify the "handedness" of it. And the wire gauge.

Search dx.com for "micro USB angle" for more options.

[FTrevorGowen]

Like this?
http://www.dx.com/p/cy-u2-075-le-angle- ... 0cm-222686
Someone would need to verify the "handedness" of it. And the wire gauge.
Search dx.com for "micro USB angle" for more options.

That's similar to "my" item AD here:
http://www.cpmspectrepi.webspace.virgin ... pterCables
however that, whilst having "gold-plated" connectors is the wrong "handedness" w.r.t. a A+/B+/P2B uUSB and HDMI port ie. the cable "fouls" the HDMI port.
Trev.

[mahjongg]

I have some of those too but not got around to using them yet.
It's poor that there are so many sub-standard leads around with no real way of telling them apart other than trial and error

Yes, many leads appear to be made out of damp string*, probably cheaper than using copper.



I think that damp string is one of Dougie Lawson's phrases, but its a good metaphor.

actually the "wires" are actually made by plating sheets of plastic with an extremely thin layer of aluminium then cutting the sheet in very small ribbons, once you have seen such cables you don't wonder why you cannot power a PI through them!

[fruit-uk]

Really?

Perhaps we should look at the recommendations of some audiophiles - gold plated, oxide free USB leads anyone?

[ame]

I've only seen that for telephone cords. The most recent batch of USB cables I have cut up have had regular multi-strand wires.

[ame]

Here's another one, but I think it's the wrong handedness.
http://comsmart.co.kr/cmart/shop/item.p ... 8218&num=1

It states "left angle" but I haven't found a "right angle" version from the same supplier.

Is it necessary to have a right-angle connection at both ends? Or would one end benefit from being straight?

[mahjongg]

I've only seen that for telephone cords. The most recent batch of USB cables I have cut up have had regular multi-strand wires.

many/most will have copper wires inside, my explanation was about what doughy calls "wet string" cables, which do exist.
its a fact that some USB cables have far too much resistance to be used as power cables. Whether the high resistance is caused by too thin wires, or by the "fake wires" I described I leave open to interpretation.
aluminium plated nylon wires are cheap and flexible, but not useable for transferring power. But then some producers do anything to lower their prices, even if it results in substandard cables. Most users don't care, they just notice it takes longer to charge their device with such substandard cables, but on a PI such cables are fatal for the power integrity of the PI.