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
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,
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.
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.