Diy USB cable - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: J.Xerneas
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2016, 02:36:21 am
content: I got tired of my cheep USB cables failing on me so I put together a beefy one with some spare parts I had lying around. I used 4 gauge stranded for5v+and ground, then I use 14 gauge for data. It worked excellent, I used it for a couple of months and then It was stolen. I didn't get a picture of it when I had it to post since I wasn't a part of this forum then. But you can imagine the sheer aw inspiring size of a 4ft USB cable made from 4 and 14 gauge cable. I actually am working on another one soon so I will post pics when I get them if I remember. I just thought I would share something a little different to get some people thinking.It may have been overkill but it probably would have lasted a lifetime if it wouldn't have gotten stolen.

author: JacquesBBB
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2016, 03:50:53 am
content: AWG 4 is 21 mm^2 . Good for 60A+. Are you sure?

author: relic38
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2016, 04:58:18 am
content: 60A on USB? Cell phones in five years will need that to charge the 35Ah battery inside them

author: KL27x
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2016, 05:52:41 am
content: I take it that was a micro USB. For mini, I would have used at least 2 gauge.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2016, 10:12:21 am
content: Quote from: J.Xerneas on March 01, 2016, 02:36:21 amBut usually what causes cables to fail is not the cable itself failing due to its gauge, but rather insufficient strain relief where it attaches to the plugs. Heavy cable only makes that worse, not to mention putting tons of strain on the connectors in the devices you're charging, due to inflexibility and/or weight of the cable.

author: station240
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 09, 2016, 10:52:40 am
content: hahaha sounds like my outdoor extension code made from 2+E cable (aka romex). Thing is it's got 10A plugs but 50A rated cable, I had to hammer the cables into the strain relief.At the time we needed an extension cord for the cement mixer that would cope with being run over by wheelbarrows full of concrete.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 09, 2016, 11:01:40 am
content: In regard to signal integrity, this sounds to be not better than crappiest non shielded Chinese USB cable. You need a controlled impedance and a shield, your cable does not seem to have any of these.

author: Dave
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2016, 11:10:04 am
content: Quote from: wraper on March 09, 2016, 11:01:40 amThe cable did have shielding, he forgot to mention it. He wrapped a wire fence around it.

author: ericloewe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 09, 2016, 07:57:00 pm
content: The USB consortium got it all wrong! Instead of doing high-power charging using higher voltages, they should've gone with "MOAR CABLE!" and allowed for 60A charging.

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2016, 08:11:55 pm
content: Quote from: ericloewe on March 09, 2016, 07:57:00 pmI think that is meant for car cranking. Plug your smartphone in with some jump cords and poof, flat car battery is no problem!

author: ConKbot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2016, 07:20:14 am
content: Quote from: wraper on March 09, 2016, 11:01:40 am14awg stranded wire, with a 19 mil insulation and jacket(i.e. THHN with pvc insulation) twisted, but not perfectly tight together will come out to about 75-80 ohms. Being differential, and only a 4 foot run, it would probably work.Not saying it's a good idea, but it's just a differential signal, not the boogey man.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2016, 08:37:53 am
content: The boogey man is never far from this forum.

author: ericloewe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 10, 2016, 10:59:08 pm
content: Quote from: ConKbot on March 10, 2016, 07:20:14 amSomehow, that doesn't detract from the absurdity of the data pair supposedly being about as thick as the wiring to the 12V outlets in my car.

author: sangvikh
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2016, 11:06:13 pm
content: Pics or it didn't happen!Jumpstart wires for a usb cable?

author: dadler
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 11, 2016, 02:35:52 am
content: I bet the thief stole it to recycle the copper.... Such is the risk in such a high conductivity USB cable. You've got to pay to play.

author: ericloewe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 11, 2016, 12:13:57 pm
content: Quote from: dadler on March 11, 2016, 02:35:52 amMaybe he thought it was the charging cable for his car.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2016, 02:32:52 am
content: I can't tell if this is a windup or serious.

author: Raj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 13, 2016, 07:47:11 am
content: need to make a non damageable cable?ebay search for "Spring Coiled usb"use the cable from result obtained in a midway joint...that's how I do it,My usb cable broke ,i turned it into extension chord and attached an above suggested cable to it as it isBeware, the coiled cable usually comes with crappy plugs, you'll need to replace those

author: Dave
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2016, 03:09:27 am
content: Pictures, pretty please.