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Broken micro-USB port, alternatives?  

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Gabriele Cannizzaro
(@gabriele-cannizzaro)
Member
Broken micro-USB port, alternatives?

Hi all

The micro-USB port on my MINI has broken clean off the board, due to me tilting the machine without realising the cable was still connected. I have been using OctoPrint off a RPi4, are there any alternatives to replacing the board (which seems silly for just a port breakage)? Is it possible to use the USB-A port?

Thanks

Posted : 01/05/2024 1:40 pm
Diem
 Diem
(@diem)
Illustrious Member

How much damage is there to the board?  Can you use a soldering iron?  Do you know someone who can?

The two simplest candidate solutions:  

If the board is OK and only the port structure is damaged then replacement ports are readily available; desolder and resolder.

If the board damage is restricted to ripping out the port connections and maybe a couple of broken tracks/pads then you may be able to solder a lead to the tracks, immobilise it somehow, and attach a flying socket.

But if the board itself is splintered you are probably stuck with replacing it.

Cheerio,

Posted : 01/05/2024 3:31 pm
_KaszpiR_
(@_kaszpir_)
Honorable Member
RE:

USB-A port used for pendrive is not suitable for remote controlling the printer, unfortunately. It's just for the storage.

If you cannot solder the micro-usb port, then another not tested idea is to maybe use pins used on the baseboard to put in wifi module - they are used for baseboard<->wifi module communication so maybe that could be used.
Talk with Prusa Chat for more help.

See my GitHub and printables.com for some 3d stuff that you may like.

Posted : 01/05/2024 4:55 pm
Gabriele Cannizzaro
(@gabriele-cannizzaro)
Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Broken micro-USB port, alternatives?

I ended up getting the board fixed by a local business that deals with these kind of things, it cost £35 but quite fast and the result seems good.

Posted : 17/05/2024 1:21 pm
ssmith liked
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