Waterproof USB - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: gaminn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2019, 06:40:00 pm
content: Hi,I have front loader on my tractor. I will mount an USB camera on the front loader that will be connected to a tablet in tractor's cabin. As the front loader can be detached from the tractor the USB cable must be disconnectable at the place where the front loader is connected to the tractor. I'm looking for waterproof USB connectors (both male and female) that can be soldered to the cable. Is there something on the market?I also thought about using generic waterproof 5 pin (5V GND D+ D- shielding) connector like this:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32761188548.htmlBut I'm not sure whether it will work. The USB is high speed (480 MHz). Do you think it will work? Overall length of the USB cable (from the camera to the tablet) is approx. 4 meters.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2019, 02:57:22 am
content: Some other connector would work fine. 480Mb USB is not too demanding.I suspect it would be easier to just wrap the joint between the connectors with electrical tape as needed.

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2019, 03:52:43 am
content: Bulgin Buccaneer IP68 rated connectors are available at Digikey but they are pricey.

author: ogden
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2019, 08:26:46 am
content: Quote from: gaminn on July 21, 2019, 06:40:00 pmDon't. Bad idea. Better look for automotive 12V power connector and install WiFi camera instead.

author: gaminn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2019, 08:31:39 am
content: Quote from: ogden on July 22, 2019, 08:26:46 amWhy? I don't like wifi camera much.

author: ogden
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2019, 09:25:16 am
content: Quote from: gaminn on July 22, 2019, 08:31:39 amIt could be so that your USB plans simply do not work. At all. Extending HS USB in the office is not always successful - you need hi quality cables, connectors, sometimes there is no other way than to use USB extender. You plan outdoor automotive installation, with self-assembled connector(s) in a middle. I am not optimistic about success of such installation at all. That's why I suggest to think over and plan WiFi-based camera. Do some investigation about current WiFi camera offerings, only then decide - like them or not. Why say you don't like them? How long is planned cable run?

author: gaminn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2019, 10:08:05 am
content: Quote from: ogden on July 22, 2019, 09:25:16 amI tried the camera with 4 meters cable and it worked. I will also run the cable at some distance from noise sources. And I have to use some high quality cables - with thin cables the camera doesn't work because 5V and GND had too much resistance.I don't like wifi because I think it will take some time to connect to the camera from tablet and also that the signal will not be stable. I see these problems with some wifi devices I use. So I prefere cables...

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2019, 10:10:24 am
content: Unless the tablet is needed for other operations on the vehicle, you'd be much better off with a dedicated CVBS (baseband video) CCTV camera and a dedicated CVBS monitor. One 75R coax from the camera for the video signal, and 12V power to it, both easy to find IP66 connectors for and easy to wire.

author: ogden
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2019, 10:13:07 am
content: Quote from: gaminn on July 22, 2019, 10:08:05 amGood. Then take this advice. Also much better and reliable than USB:Quote from: Ian.M on July 22, 2019, 10:10:24 am You may want to look here:https://truckknowing.com/truck-backup-camera/

author: gaminn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2019, 10:28:56 am
content: Quote from: Ian.M on July 22, 2019, 10:10:24 amI was thinking about that but I don't want to spend much money. I already have some spare tablet and I only bought USB camera module on aliexpress for 20 USD (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32854297123.htmlBTW, it produces really good pictures...).

author: ogden
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2019, 10:50:20 am
content: Quote from: gaminn on July 22, 2019, 10:28:56 amOh, I see. Naked 20$ camera from aliexpress for tractor with front loader. I have different perspective thenAnyway - if you plan DIY weatherproofing for camera, then why don't you DIY-weatherproof connector as well?

author: gaminn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2019, 11:05:42 am
content: You really think I will put bare PCB on tractor's front loader? Noooo... Please see the picture. It will be in waterproof metal housing.

author: ogden
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2019, 12:26:08 pm
content: Quote from: gaminn on July 22, 2019, 11:05:42 amThat was not what I was thinking. - You shall not drive around in Maybach or Rolls-Royce looking for cheapest fuel in the town. The same about front loader tractor - you install professional grade stuff on professional grade tools. You can lose 10x more money you saved when that cheap and shitty camera breaks down in a middle of important job.

author: gaminn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2019, 12:40:31 pm
content: OK, I understand. I use many cheap chinese devices and to be honest, many times they work very well, for a fraction of price. I only hope this will be the case.FYI This is just hobby project. The tractor is not used profesionally, just on our property (around house, in forest, ...). It has been used many year without the camera...

author: ogden
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2019, 01:09:46 pm
content: Quote from: gaminn on July 22, 2019, 12:40:31 pmOh, I see. In case of hobby you can experiment with risk of potential failure indeed. Just try to build your solution out of cable assemblies so you do not have to solder anything. There are some cable assemblies (just searched)https://www.elpro.org/gb/1605-ip68-waterproof-usb-connectors.

author: gaminn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2019, 01:14:03 pm
content: I already decided to try the generic 5 pin circular waterproof connector. If it won't work properly I will use some professional waterproof USB connectors.

author: ogden
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2019, 01:26:22 pm
content: Quote from: gaminn on July 22, 2019, 01:14:03 pmThere are great chances that it won't work (reliably). Do not untwist USB data pair wires, leave those twisted together up-to connector pins. Connect them to two pins that are closest to each other in connector you use and pray. Also UV-protect your cable. I know that there are Cat5 cables for outdoor use, dunno about USB.

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2019, 01:42:31 pm
content: https://www.bulgin.com/us/products/front-panel-mount-leaded-usb-connector-px0843-px0460-series-group.html

author: gaminn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2019, 02:31:00 pm
content: Quote from: ogden on July 22, 2019, 01:26:22 pmGood point about the UV resistance. I guess I can buy some UV resistant tube/heatshrink to protect the cable... Or I think I will put some regular heatshrink on the cable, hopefully it will make the cable last a year or two longer...The cable will be untwisted 5 cm inside the connectors and then a few cm inside the camera.

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2019, 03:05:16 pm
content: 5cm untwisted is *FAR* too long - 5mm might be OK.

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2019, 03:31:06 pm
content: Quote from: Bud on July 22, 2019, 03:52:43 amThe PX0843 series: around 10 bucks each. I don't think this is worth fretting over considering the application and the one-off project.

author: gaminn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2019, 03:51:43 pm
content: Quote from: Ian.M on July 22, 2019, 03:05:16 pmThere was already a cable supplied with the camera with 5 cm untwisted end with custom connector. And it worked... We will see...

author: ogden
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2019, 04:35:58 pm
content: Quote from: gaminn on July 22, 2019, 03:51:43 pm"It worked" is relative and depends on many variables. Spread/untwisted data pair leading to improper impedance, thus signal reflections is just one of them. It all adds up: line impedance mismatch, signal loss in long cable and connectors, outside interference sources. When your signal is impaired/weakened *and* there is RF noise nearby - then you may get errors.