USB? Rear mount? Power supply for simple MCU projects - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: NivagSwerdna
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2017, 10:26:29 am
content: This is seemingly a trivial question but I'm a bit confused so thought I would solicit opinions...I have a simple clock project I build with my daughter... it's MCU based (with an RTC module) etc. The MCU board has a boot loader so the set-up can be subsequently re-programmed as necessary via the USB connector.My intention therefore was to provide a single USB socket on the back panel and in normal operation to provide this socket with a USB based 5V power supply and then on the rare occasions that I need to reprogram to attach a USB cable and attach to a PC.The internal PCB is mounted such that the on-board USB socket is not near any of the edges so I need an internal extension to get from the existing PCB to a socket on the back panel...... it is at this point I am starting to doubt the approach...There do not seem to be readily available USB sockets that mount on panels (I am proposing to use MiniB or possibly MicroB)Do i need to create a small PCB to mounting a SMD USB socket and attach that instead?Any good ideas for the mechanical design for a rear facing USB socket?Thanks in advance

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2017, 11:52:36 am
content: Panel mount USB connector assemblies certainly exist, although probably not mini or micro versions.https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-1-Feet-Panel-Mount-Cable/dp/B002M8VBIS/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1505908028&sr=8-8&keywords=usb+panel+mounthttp://www.neutrik.us/en-us/multimedia/usb/nausb-w(pictures shows an A on the outside and a B on the inside, but it's reversible)If it has to be mini or micro, and you wind up making a PCB, I'd probably look for a vertical receptacle that would allow you to use a couple of simple standoffs to mount it to the panel.Or maybe get a micro extension cable and just glue the female end into your panel?https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Micro-Female-Cable-USBUBEXT50CM/dp/B012S0ZQNU/

author: NivagSwerdna
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2017, 11:59:43 am
content: I came across this....http://uk.farnell.com/bulgin/px0446/connector-mini-usb-b-receptacle/dp/1229686but it's a very expen$ive solution.The geometry of my device... rectangular but thin made me want to have the PCB parallel to the back face... that seems to be the problem.

author: klunkerbus
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 20, 2017, 12:12:15 pm
content: Try using "USB breakout" in your search. That might come up with a breakout board you could panel mount. In the US, sources like SparkFun and Adafruit have mini or micro breakout boards for less than $2 USD.

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2017, 12:38:50 pm
content: You don't want rear facing - the cable will be too much in the way for a wall mount device. Instead, take something like theAdafruit USB Micro B breakout boardand mount it angled up about 30 deg so the cable enters at a shallow slope in a recess in the back panel or for flat side entry, on the outside of the back panel with a block of plastic milled out (or 3D printed as a cover over its PCB

author: NivagSwerdna
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2017, 02:45:25 pm
content: Quote from: Ian.M on September 20, 2017, 12:38:50 pmNow that.... is a really GOOD idea.