Post by thread:[ee] USB-A Male and case?

I'm working on a USB adapter project where I'd like to put a SMALL circuit board and a male USB type A connector in a small box and have a cable leave the other end of the box. First off, I'm having trouble finding the male type A USB connector. I find LOTS of receptacles, but no plugs! Second, I'd like to find a STANDARD plastic housing that this connector and circuit board could fit in. Pactec makes stuff like this for D connectors, but I don't see anything for USB. Anyone familiar with such a box? Ideally it'd have a crosssection about like the molded case of a standard USB plug, but be a bit longer so we can fit our board in there. I have an MMC/SD reader in a similar case. Anyone know of such a case and connector? THANKS! Harold -- FCC Rules Updated Daily at http://www.hallikainen.com - Advertising opportunities available!

You can get the connectors from Molex. Here: < http://www.molex.com/cgi-bin/bv/molex/jsp/products/compare.jsp?Itemlist=133203,201795,208687,208728&Fam=iopn&FT_118=3390&FT_3402=3402&selorder=3402,3390&btnSearch.y=16&btnSearch.x=30&channel=Products&Lang=en-US&FT_479=0&FT_270=46998&BV_SessionID=@@@@0008194003.1162337502@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccdaddjfegehlmcflgcehedffgdfmk.0 > That's the general link, may not work. Here are some direct links: < http://www.molex.com/cgi-bin/bv/molex/jsp/products/datasheet.jsp?productid=208728&Fam=iopn&FT_118=3390&FT_3402=3402&selorder=3402,3390&btnSearch.y=16&Itemlist=133203,201795,208687,208728&btnSearch.x=30&channel=Products&Lang=en-US&FT_479=0&FT_270=46998&BV_SessionID=@@@@0008194003.1162337502@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccdaddjfegehlmcflgcehedffgdfmk.0 > < http://www.molex.com/cgi-bin/bv/molex/jsp/products/datasheet.jsp?productid=208687&Fam=iopn&FT_118=3390&FT_3402=3402&selorder=3402,3390&btnSearch.y=16&Itemlist=133203,201795,208687,208728&btnSearch.x=30&channel=Products&Lang=en-US&FT_479=0&FT_270=46998&BV_SessionID=@@@@0008194003.1162337502@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccdaddjfegehlmcflgcehedffgdfmk.0 > I have not seen any through hole type A plugs. If you find any, let me know. On 10/31/06, Harold Hallikainen <spam_OUTharoldTakeThisOuThallikainen.org> wrote: {Quote hidden}> > I'm working on a USB adapter project where I'd like to put a SMALL circuit > board and a male USB type A connector in a small box and have a cable > leave the other end of the box. First off, I'm having trouble finding the > male type A USB connector. I find LOTS of receptacles, but no plugs! > Second, I'd like to find a STANDARD plastic housing that this connector > and circuit board could fit in. Pactec makes stuff like this for D > connectors, but I don't see anything for USB. Anyone familiar with such a > box? Ideally it'd have a crosssection about like the molded case of a > standard USB plug, but be a bit longer so we can fit our board in there. I > have an MMC/SD reader in a similar case. Anyone know of such a case and > connector? > > THANKS! > > Harold > > > > -- > FCC Rules Updated Daily at http://www.hallikainen.com - Advertising > opportunities available! > -

{Quote hidden}> Harold Hallikainen wrote: >> I'm working on a USB adapter project where I'd like to put a SMALL >> circuit >> board and a male USB type A connector in a small box and have a cable >> leave the other end of the box. First off, I'm having trouble finding >> the >> male type A USB connector. I find LOTS of receptacles, but no plugs! > > Digikey: AE10091-ND, CONN PLUG USB A-MALE SOLDER, US$0.28/100's > > >> Second, I'd like to find a STANDARD plastic housing that this connector >> and circuit board could fit in. Pactec makes stuff like this for D >> connectors, but I don't see anything for USB. Anyone familiar with such >> a >> box? > > Have you tried these people?: > http://www.uniboxinfo.com/battery.html > > They are a stones throw down the road from you: > > Unibox Enclosures > 3620 Sacramento Drive, Suite 101 > San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 > 800-814-8667 or 805-785-0900 > > > Maybe they will do a custom for you... > Thanks for the info! The connector appears to be a cable mount instead of pcb mount. Unibox doesn't appear to have a standard box that fits this requirement, but, perhaps they can do something custom. I didn't even know Unibox existed, and they're just across town from here! They're in the same location as the old Engineered Components Company and Robison Electronics, which did delay modules and little plastic boxes. John Robison, who owned it, died a few years ago. Maybe Unibox is the current incarnation. There's another plastic molder here in town (Amerex, I think) that I did not know about until they had us build some robot control boards for them... So, any more ideas on making usb modules that hang out the back (or front) of the computer? THANKS! Harold -- FCC Rules Updated Daily at http://www.hallikainen.com - Advertising opportunities available!

Thanks! It looks like the links below are to receptacles instead of plugs. through hole or SMT would be fine, but I need a plug (and a case). Thanks! Harold {Quote hidden}> You can get the connectors from Molex. Here: < > www.molex.com/cgi-bin/bv/molex/jsp/products/compare.jsp?Itemlist=133203,201795,208687,208728&Fam=iopn&FT_118=3390&FT_3402=3402&selorder=3402,3390&btnSearch.y=16&btnSearch.x=30&channel=Products&Lang=en-US&FT_479=0&FT_270=46998&BV_SessionID=@@@@0008194003.1162337502@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccdaddjfegehlmcflgcehedffgdfmk.0 >> > > That's the general link, may not work. Here are some direct links: > < > www.molex.com/cgi-bin/bv/molex/jsp/products/datasheet.jsp?productid=208728&Fam=iopn&FT_118=3390&FT_3402=3402&selorder=3402,3390&btnSearch.y=16&Itemlist=133203,201795,208687,208728&btnSearch.x=30&channel=Products&Lang=en-US&FT_479=0&FT_270=46998&BV_SessionID=@@@@0008194003.1162337502@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccdaddjfegehlmcflgcehedffgdfmk.0 >> > < > www.molex.com/cgi-bin/bv/molex/jsp/products/datasheet.jsp?productid=208687&Fam=iopn&FT_118=3390&FT_3402=3402&selorder=3402,3390&btnSearch.y=16&Itemlist=133203,201795,208687,208728&btnSearch.x=30&channel=Products&Lang=en-US&FT_479=0&FT_270=46998&BV_SessionID=@@@@0008194003.1162337502@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccdaddjfegehlmcflgcehedffgdfmk.0 >> > > I have not seen any through hole type A plugs. If you find any, let me > know. > > > > On 10/31/06, Harold Hallikainen <.....haroldKILLspam@spam@hallikainen.org> wrote: >> >> I'm working on a USB adapter project where I'd like to put a SMALL >> circuit >> board and a male USB type A connector in a small box and have a cable >> leave the other end of the box. First off, I'm having trouble finding >> the >> male type A USB connector. I find LOTS of receptacles, but no plugs! >> Second, I'd like to find a STANDARD plastic housing that this connector >> and circuit board could fit in. Pactec makes stuff like this for D >> connectors, but I don't see anything for USB. Anyone familiar with such >> a >> box? Ideally it'd have a crosssection about like the molded case of a >> standard USB plug, but be a bit longer so we can fit our board in there. >> I >> have an MMC/SD reader in a similar case. Anyone know of such a case and >> connector? >> >> THANKS! >> >> Harold >> >> >> >> -- >> FCC Rules Updated Daily at http://www.hallikainen.com - Advertising >> opportunities available! >> --

> Harold Hallikainen wrote: > >> So, any more ideas on making usb modules that hang out the back (or >> front) >> of the computer? > > Given how little sturdy some USB connectors are, I think the module would > have to be very small and light for me to like it having it in the > connector. I probably would prefer a cable on both ends. If it's small and > light enough, then it shouldn't matter much to have a small "wart" in the > middle of the cable. If it is not small and light enough for this, it > probably isn't small and light enough for the plug. > > Gerhard True, a "wart" ma be the best solution. All I plan on putting in the case is the connector and a CP2102 and a few resistors and capacitors. Seems like it could fit in a connector shell. Thanks! Harold -- FCC Rules Updated Daily at http://www.hallikainen.com - Advertising opportunities available!

No, they are plugs. I have them sitting on my desk. Sorry, doesn't look like the links resolve. Go to Molex, look up part number: *48037-2200* On 10/31/06, Harold Hallikainen <haroldKILLspamhallikainen.org> wrote: {Quote hidden}> > Thanks! It looks like the links below are to receptacles instead of plugs. > through hole or SMT would be fine, but I need a plug (and a case). > > Thanks! > > Harold > > > > You can get the connectors from Molex. Here: < > > > www.molex.com/cgi-bin/bv/molex/jsp/products/compare.jsp?Itemlist=133203,201795,208687,208728&Fam=iopn&FT_118=3390&FT_3402=3402&selorder=3402,3390&btnSearch.y=16&btnSearch.x=30&channel=Products&Lang=en-US&FT_479=0&FT_270=46998&BV_SessionID=@@@@0008194003.1162337502@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccdaddjfegehlmcflgcehedffgdfmk.0 > >> > > > > That's the general link, may not work. Here are some direct links: > > < > > > www.molex.com/cgi-bin/bv/molex/jsp/products/datasheet.jsp?productid=208728&Fam=iopn&FT_118=3390&FT_3402=3402&selorder=3402,3390&btnSearch.y=16&Itemlist=133203,201795,208687,208728&btnSearch.x=30&channel=Products&Lang=en-US&FT_479=0&FT_270=46998&BV_SessionID=@@@@0008194003.1162337502@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccdaddjfegehlmcflgcehedffgdfmk.0 > >> > > < > > > www.molex.com/cgi-bin/bv/molex/jsp/products/datasheet.jsp?productid=208687&Fam=iopn&FT_118=3390&FT_3402=3402&selorder=3402,3390&btnSearch.y=16&Itemlist=133203,201795,208687,208728&btnSearch.x=30&channel=Products&Lang=en-US&FT_479=0&FT_270=46998&BV_SessionID=@@@@0008194003.1162337502@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccdaddjfegehlmcflgcehedffgdfmk.0 > >> > > > > I have not seen any through hole type A plugs. If you find any, let me > > know. > > > > > > > > On 10/31/06, Harold Hallikainen <.....haroldKILLspam.....hallikainen.org> wrote: > >> > >> I'm working on a USB adapter project where I'd like to put a SMALL > >> circuit > >> board and a male USB type A connector in a small box and have a cable > >> leave the other end of the box. First off, I'm having trouble finding > >> the > >> male type A USB connector. I find LOTS of receptacles, but no plugs! > >> Second, I'd like to find a STANDARD plastic housing that this connector > >> and circuit board could fit in. Pactec makes stuff like this for D > >> connectors, but I don't see anything for USB. Anyone familiar with such > >> a > >> box? Ideally it'd have a crosssection about like the molded case of a > >> standard USB plug, but be a bit longer so we can fit our board in > there. > >> I > >> have an MMC/SD reader in a similar case. Anyone know of such a case and > >> connector? > >> > >> THANKS! > >> > >> Harold > >> > >> > >> > >> -- > >> FCC Rules Updated Daily at http://www.hallikainen.com - Advertising > >> opportunities available! > >> --

>> any more ideas on making usb modules that hang out the >> back (or front) of the computer? Are such modules technically "legal" according to the USB spec? Perhaps that's why it's difficult to find a Male A PCB Mount connector: any reputable manufacturer making one might find itself on the USB committee's sh*t-list... (not that there is any shortage of flash, bluetooth, WLAN, and security dongles of this sort; there's also no shortage of cables I'm quite sure aren't legal.) Some of the flash drives seem to get by with little more than a carefully shaped PCB either fabricated or shimmed to just the right thickness... BillW

Harold Hallikainen wrote: > I'm working on a USB adapter project where I'd like to put a SMALL circuit > board and a male USB type A connector in a small box and have a cable > leave the other end of the box. First off, I'm having trouble finding the > male type A USB connector. I find LOTS of receptacles, but no plugs! > Second, I'd like to find a STANDARD plastic housing that this connector > and circuit board could fit in. Pactec makes stuff like this for D > connectors, but I don't see anything for USB. Anyone familiar with such a > box? Ideally it'd have a crosssection about like the molded case of a > standard USB plug, but be a bit longer so we can fit our board in there. I > have an MMC/SD reader in a similar case. Anyone know of such a case and > connector? > > THANKS! > > Harold > > > > You can't find the small USB end ('A') because you are trying to break the USB design rules in order to make your product as small as possible. The USB organization takes a very dim view of this, so unless it is a prototype or a "one up", you need to use the "B" style. The reason is that unless standards are rigidly adhered to, the usefulness of the scheme will be compromised. Their rule is that the 'A' end is always the HOST end of the cable, and the peripheral is always the 'B' end of the cable. Unless your project is a host, you are not complying with their rules. I, too (a natural rebel) was surprised by the strength of their arguments. But once I understood their reasoning, it all makes sense. If you must squeeze things down, use a miniature version of the "B" end; the USB organization can help you locate these; some digital cameras use these. --Bob

On Tue, 31 Oct 2006 13:54:47 -0800 (PST), you wrote: >I'm working on a USB adapter project where I'd like to put a SMALL circuit >board and a male USB type A connector in a small box and have a cable >leave the other end of the box. First off, I'm having trouble finding the >male type A USB connector. I find LOTS of receptacles, but no plugs! >Second, I'd like to find a STANDARD plastic housing that this connector >and circuit board could fit in. Pactec makes stuff like this for D >connectors, but I don't see anything for USB. Anyone familiar with such a >box? Ideally it'd have a crosssection about like the molded case of a >standard USB plug, but be a bit longer so we can fit our board in there. I >have an MMC/SD reader in a similar case. Anyone know of such a case and >connector? > >THANKS! > >Harold This came up a while ago & someone did find an answer to the enclosure issue - I know it would crop up again so bookmarked the site : http://www.newageenclosures.com/category.aspx?categoryID=7&startpage=0

> >> any more ideas on making usb modules that hang out the back (or > >> front) of the computer? > > Are such modules technically "legal" according to the USB spec? > Perhaps that's why it's difficult to find a Male A PCB Mount > connector: any reputable manufacturer making one might find > itself on the USB committee's sh*t-list... (not that there > is any shortage of flash, bluetooth, WLAN, and security > dongles of this sort; there's also no shortage of cables I'm > quite sure aren't legal.) > > Some of the flash drives seem to get by with little more than > a carefully shaped PCB either fabricated or shimmed to just > the right thickness... Allow me to introduce the ReZap USB battery recharger - http://users.tpg.com.au/users/p8king/rbc880.jpg. Simple idea, charge 2xAA or 2xAAA batteries off a USB port, or uses a Nokia 'phone charger. Cable detaches, good or bad feature depending on your point of view. But the socket is a USB-A! WTF, as is often heard. In that (bad) picture you can see a USB-A to USB-A cable. Confuses the crap out of everyone I show it to. So now I have this weird cable. As if the mini-B's weren't annoying enough. I wonder if Radio Shack stock USB A-A... Bonus points - there is enough space to use the correct socket! Gah! The thing is 25mm high, and it's mostly space! The only reason I can think of is aesthetics, the two power sockets (DC & USB) are the same height, so it looks nice. (or it's a bad joke, or USB-A sockets are 0.004 cents cheaper than the USB-B - but tooling costs on that cable are...?) And on the flash drives, there was a page the other day that pointed out that veroboard tracks have the right spacing for USB power, and proceeded to make a torch. Tony

Mike Harrison wrote: {Quote hidden}> On Tue, 31 Oct 2006 13:54:47 -0800 (PST), you wrote: > > >> I'm working on a USB adapter project where I'd like to put a SMALL circuit >> board and a male USB type A connector in a small box and have a cable >> leave the other end of the box. First off, I'm having trouble finding the >> male type A USB connector. I find LOTS of receptacles, but no plugs! >> Second, I'd like to find a STANDARD plastic housing that this connector >> and circuit board could fit in. Pactec makes stuff like this for D >> connectors, but I don't see anything for USB. Anyone familiar with such a >> box? Ideally it'd have a crosssection about like the molded case of a >> standard USB plug, but be a bit longer so we can fit our board in there. I >> have an MMC/SD reader in a similar case. Anyone know of such a case and >> connector? >> >> THANKS! >> >> Harold >> > > This came up a while ago & someone did find an answer to the enclosure issue - I know it would crop > up again so bookmarked the site : > http://www.newageenclosures.com/category.aspx?categoryID=7&startpage=0 > > VERY nice cases. good link, thanks. --Bob

> Bonus points - there is enough space to use the correct > socket! Gah! The > thing is 25mm high, and it's mostly space! The only reason I > can think of > is aesthetics, the two power sockets (DC & USB) are the same > height, so it > looks nice. (or it's a bad joke, or USB-A sockets are 0.004 > cents cheaper > than the USB-B - but tooling costs on that cable are...?) Prices for A-B and A-A cables from my supplier are the same. A-miniB is a bit higher. Wouter van Ooijen -- ------------------------------------------- Van Ooijen Technische Informatica: http://www.voti.nl consultancy, development, PICmicro products docent Hogeschool van Utrecht: http://www.voti.nl/hvu

> > Bonus points - there is enough space to use the correct > socket! Gah! > > The thing is 25mm high, and it's mostly space! The only > reason I can > > think of is aesthetics, the two power sockets (DC & USB) > are the same > > height, so it looks nice. (or it's a bad joke, or USB-A > sockets are > > 0.004 cents cheaper than the USB-B - but tooling costs on > that cable > > are...?) > > Prices for A-B and A-A cables from my supplier are the same. > A-miniB is a bit higher. > > Wouter van Ooijen Sell many A-A ones? Why? They aren't supposed to exist... The B end isn't supposed to either, but at least that makes sense. Tony

Tony Smith wrote: > But the socket is a USB-A! WTF, as is often heard. In that (bad) picture > you can see a USB-A to USB-A cable. Confuses the crap out of everyone I > show it to. So now I have this weird cable. As if the mini-B's weren't > annoying enough. I wonder if Radio Shack stock USB A-A... Is it my imagination, or was this more usual in the early days of USB? I seem to remember seeing nothing but A-A cables for a while. I was giving an old PICkit 1 away a while ago, and the guy I gave it to (who was fairly out of the loop) had never seen an A-B cable before and thought it was not "real" USB. I explained to him that it was in fact the standard and he didn't seem to believe me. -- Timothy J. Weber http://timothyweber.org

> >Sell many A-A ones? Why? > > Often it is the only way to get a connector to a position > where one can easily plug in a memory stick without > clambering around the back or under > the desk to get at the back of a PC. You are talking about A-male-A-female. I often use such cables. One time I was ready to give a class, but discoverd that I left my USB stick (with the PP presentation) at home. Never make the same mistake again, so I fastened my USB stick to my shoulder bag. A cable comes out of the bag and connects to the computer, the stick does not leave the bag. For those who think (maybe correctly) that such 'extension' cables violate USB rules: they also exist as 'active extension' cables, with a build-in one-socket hub. But I was talking about A-male-A-male cables. They do exist, and the price is (for me) almost the same as the strandard A-male-B-male. But I have not yet seen a B-male-B-male or A-female-A-female or any other of the more weird combinations. But Murphy dictates that they will exist and some people will actually use them. Wouter van Ooijen -- ------------------------------------------- Van Ooijen Technische Informatica: http://www.voti.nl consultancy, development, PICmicro products docent Hogeschool van Utrecht: http://www.voti.nl/hvu

> Sell many A-A ones? Why? don't ask me > They aren't supposed to exist... The B end isn't supposed to > either, but at least that makes sense. but they are made and sold! some manufacturers use A sockets because they are lower (fit in a DB25 jumperbox housing). a fellow teacher deliberately designed his ARM board for classroom use with an A socket, because it reduced the incentive to take it home. Wouter van Ooijen -- ------------------------------------------- Van Ooijen Technische Informatica: http://www.voti.nl consultancy, development, PICmicro products docent Hogeschool van Utrecht: http://www.voti.nl/hvu

Alan, On Wed, 1 Nov 2006 11:58:32 -0000, Alan B. Pearce wrote: {Quote hidden}> >Sell many A-A ones? Why? > > Often it is the only way to get a connector to a position where one can > easily plug in a memory stick without clambering around the back or under > the desk to get at the back of a PC. > > Another reason is many memory sticks are of such a bulbous shape that one > cannot plug that and another USB plug into adjacent ports without stressing > the connectors on the PC, so the memory stick needs to be extended using a > cable with a plug that meets the USB standard outline. That would be an A-Male to A-Female "extension" cable, such as Wouter's: USB-EXT (which seems to have the wrong photo, by the way!) and they are very handy, but A-Male to A-Male cables are out there too, see Wouter's: CABLE-USB-1-5-A-A I think the latter's the subject of the "Why?" :-) Cheers, Howard Winter St.Albans, England

> Tony Smith wrote: > > But the socket is a USB-A! WTF, as is often heard. In that (bad) > > picture you can see a USB-A to USB-A cable. Confuses the > crap out of > > everyone I show it to. So now I have this weird cable. As if the > > mini-B's weren't annoying enough. I wonder if Radio Shack > stock USB A-A... > > Is it my imagination, or was this more usual in the early > days of USB? > I seem to remember seeing nothing but A-A cables for a while. > I was giving an old PICkit 1 away a while ago, and the guy I > gave it to (who was fairly out of the loop) had never seen an > A-B cable before and thought it was not "real" USB. I > explained to him that it was in fact the standard and he > didn't seem to believe me. That I could believe. The original idea was that devices always had the cable attached (stops you losing it, I guess), but the manufacturers got upset. Fair enough, a digital camera with a metre of cable hanging off it is pretty silly. So the B type was invented, and the camera makers ignored that too and invented their own anyway. ...but that was 10 years ago. This is a new (1-2 years?) product. What one earth were they thinking? They get a bunch of 10 year old cables for free? Tony

> > Sell many A-A ones? Why? > > don't ask me > > > They aren't supposed to exist... The B end isn't supposed > to either, > > but at least that makes sense. > > but they are made and sold! > > some manufacturers use A sockets because they are lower (fit > in a DB25 jumperbox housing). a fellow teacher deliberately > designed his ARM board for classroom use with an A socket, > because it reduced the incentive to take it home. But but but that's just silly. And a PITA, like with the charger. Special cable my a***. I've never seen an A-A plug cable , except for those file transfer things. Why are they so expensive anyway? If they want low profile, why not use the mini-B? That's what it's for. So much for the USB standard then. That must be a new record for 'least time to break' it. :) Tony

> > some manufacturers use A sockets because they are lower (fit > > in a DB25 jumperbox housing). a fellow teacher deliberately > > designed his ARM board for classroom use with an A socket, > > because it reduced the incentive to take it home. > > > But but but that's just silly. And a PITA, like with the > charger. Special > cable my a***. I've never seen an A-A plug cable , except > for those file > transfer things. Why are they so expensive anyway? [file transfer thingies] Those are not just cables, they contain electronics. At $10 .. $20 they are in the same price region as usb-serial/parallel converters, which is not too expensive IMHO. [plain silly] if you refer to the teacher I disagree. For him the cables were the same price. > If they want low profile, why not use the mini-B? That's > what it's for. Mini-B cables cost slightly more, the connectors likewise, and they are just a bit more difficult to get. At least they used to, a few years ago. > So much for the USB standard then. That must be a new record > for 'least time to break' it. :) Isn't that how you recognise a standard? Wouter van Ooijen -- ------------------------------------------- Van Ooijen Technische Informatica: http://www.voti.nl consultancy, development, PICmicro products docent Hogeschool van Utrecht: http://www.voti.nl/hvu

> But but but that's just silly. And a PITA, like with the > charger. Special > cable my a***. I've never seen an A-A plug cable i've haven't actually seen an A-A cable (though i have seen them listed in catalogs) but i've seen a cable with two A plugs one end and one the other for a hard drive unit that wanted more power than a usb port can normally provide. > , except for those file > transfer things. Why are they so expensive anyway? because afaict they are essentially two USB network adaptors back to back. They are also a small market with most PCs now having network adaptors. > If they want low profile, why not use the mini-B? That's what it's for. true, probablly not as robust or prototyping friendly though (A sockets look very prototyping friendly and i'd be very tempted to use one next time i do a PIC usb prototype of some sort) > So much for the USB standard then. That must be a new record for 'least > time to break' it. :) as always standards are there to be proken

Arern't USB A - A types used for "USB on the Go"? RP On 02/11/06, Wouter van Ooijen <EraseMEwouterspam_OUTTakeThisOuTvoti.nl> wrote: {Quote hidden}> > >Sell many A-A ones? Why? > > > > Often it is the only way to get a connector to a position > > where one can easily plug in a memory stick without > > clambering around the back or under > > the desk to get at the back of a PC. > > You are talking about A-male-A-female. I often use such cables. One time > I was ready to give a class, but discoverd that I left my USB stick > (with the PP presentation) at home. Never make the same mistake again, > so I fastened my USB stick to my shoulder bag. A cable comes out of the > bag and connects to the computer, the stick does not leave the bag. > > For those who think (maybe correctly) that such 'extension' cables > violate USB rules: they also exist as 'active extension' cables, with a > build-in one-socket hub. > > But I was talking about A-male-A-male cables. They do exist, and the > price is (for me) almost the same as the strandard A-male-B-male. But I > have not yet seen a B-male-B-male or A-female-A-female or any other of > the more weird combinations. But Murphy dictates that they will exist > and some people will actually use them. > > Wouter van Ooijen > > -- ------------------------------------------- > Van Ooijen Technische Informatica: http://www.voti.nl > consultancy, development, PICmicro products > docent Hogeschool van Utrecht: http://www.voti.nl/hvu > > > -

perhaps the point of having an "A" socket on the device (and hence it's charge cable is A-A) is to allow the device to power something else when it's been charged. In a sort of battery pack fashion rather than simply a battery charger My iTrip for my iPod came with a car charger, where there is a cigarrette ligher thingy with an A socket, and an A male to mini-B male cable. Phones are often similar. So the itrip/ipod and many mobile phones can be charged by plugging their lead's A plug into a host port With the A socket on the device, potentially charger cables like these could be plugged in, and the rezap might pretend to be a Host port. just a guess. probably wrong. Only logical explanation i can see for it.

> perhaps the point of having an "A" socket on the device (and > hence it's charge cable is A-A) is to allow the device to > power something else when it's been charged. In a sort of > battery pack fashion rather than simply a battery charger > > My iTrip for my iPod came with a car charger, where there is > a cigarrette ligher thingy with an A socket, and an A male to > mini-B male cable. Phones are often similar. So the > itrip/ipod and many mobile phones can be charged by plugging > their lead's A plug into a host port > > With the A socket on the device, potentially charger cables > like these could be plugged in, and the rezap might pretend > to be a Host port. > > just a guess. probably wrong. Only logical explanation i can > see for it. That's not a bad idea, you should go make some. There's plenty of 'emergency' charge things around, where you plug in a few AA or 9v batteries to keep your phone or whatever running. You might need to use to new NiMH bateries that don't go flat after a few months. The Rezap charger isn't that smart though. Tony

> > That's not a bad idea, you should go make some. > > ok, i hereby patent the idea! Something along these line: <gizmodo.com/gadgets/portable-media/elecom-emergency-ipod-charger-loo ks-ugly-get-the-job-done-211880.php> They pop up every so often, usually for phones. This one is interesting as it only has 2xAA batteries, meaning there's a boost converter in there somewhere. I've seen other iPod thingies that have 4xAA. It also shrinks, I had a mains charger once that did that. Handy for travel. That's why I got that little Rezap charger, do AA cells for a camera etc. Finding a USB port for power isn't hard. I had a quick look inside it and wasn't impressed. The only IC I could see was a 4060, a 14 bit timer. So the charge algorithm is probably 'run-for-10-hours-then-stop'. Explains the AA-AAA switch, just halve the time for AAA. Still, it's small & light. So a case with few NiHM cells, you'll probably need a boost circuit in there somewhere, USB-B on one side, USB-A on the other. Throw in a USB A-B cable, PC-to-pack for charging, pack-to-device (mini-B might be better) to run it. Or just plug the device straight to the USB-A. Just like $deity intended. Could be handy, now when camping you don't need to lug your laptop along to power your USB toothbrush, the battery pack should keep it running for a few days. 2500mAh cells, given USB is max 500mA per port, that's say 4 hours and up run time. Not bad. Huh, I should make one before your patent comes thru :) You can now get car adapters, a cigarette lighter plug with a USB port, or a wall wart with no cable, just a USB socket. I like it, one wall wart for any device. And I found you can get USB A-A cables locally. <http://www.comland.com.au/images/USB-AA-2.jpg>. Why'd you'd want such an abomination is beyond me, and you get to pay double the price. (I'm happy with that's how it was done before USB-B was invented.) Tony