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Unstable USB connector


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9 replies to this topic

#1 Illishar

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Posted 13 December 2010 - 06:36 PM

Hello there, I've just recieved my Netduino Plus and I had it up and running (switch, led, etc.) within 10 minutes. No documentation read or anything. LOL Anyway I've just noticed that the usb connector is very unstable. If I lift the wire from the table (or touch it in an upward direction really) the board will disconnect. (Power failure) I assume that it's just my board that's "Dead on arrival" or what?

#2 Chris Walker

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Posted 13 December 2010 - 08:02 PM

Hi Illishar, Could you try another MicroUSB cable really quick? If that doesn't help, the board may have been damaged. If so, we'll be happy to coordinate with your authorized reseller to get it replaced for you. Chris

#3 Illishar

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Posted 14 December 2010 - 12:24 PM

I could be the cable, yes. We tried pluggin it (the cable) into a HTC phone, which showed the same symptoms. (Either that or we have bad HTC as well.) I've ordered a new wire.

#4 Tecchie

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Posted 14 December 2010 - 12:36 PM

Anyway I've just noticed that the usb connector is very unstable. If I lift the wire from the table (or touch it in an upward direction really) the board will disconnect. (Power failure)


Got my Plus yesterday and had the same problem. Solved it by squeezing the metal shield of the usb connector on the netduino a bit, so that the plug fits tightly.
Of course you have to be cautious when doing that.

Tecchie

#5 Chris Walker

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Posted 14 December 2010 - 06:43 PM

I could be the cable, yes. We tried pluggin it (the cable) into a HTC phone, which showed the same symptoms. (Either that or we have bad HTC as well.) I've ordered a new wire.


The MicroUSB cables which we're giving away with the Netduinos as a free promotion are tested by the factory; they're the only part not tested by us...

We expect to see few failures of the free cables in the field. So far reports are <0.1%, but even one bad cable makes us sad :(

Chris

#6 Illishar

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Posted 15 December 2010 - 09:19 AM

I've now recieved my new cable and it seems to work much better. Also when I compare the cables, I see that the new one has slightly bigger teeth than the old one. (MicroUSB has small teeth on the plug it seems.)

#7 kenn

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Posted 23 April 2011 - 03:58 PM

I just got the netduino board, set it up, compiled and ran blink, moved the board by the usb cable (like I do with my arduino boards all the time), broke loose the mini usb connector and threw the whole works in the bin; in about that order. I have been using arduinos in all kinds of rough and tough environments and their type b connectors 'never' fail. Mini a and b are not strong enough. Please consider a redesign. I know type b connectors are clunky looking cans with a big footprint, but they will stand the strain.

#8 Chris Walker

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Posted 23 April 2011 - 07:57 PM

Hi kenn,

I just got the netduino board, set it up, compiled and ran blink, moved the board by the usb cable (like I do with my arduino boards all the time), broke loose the mini usb connector and threw the whole works in the bin; in about that order.

I have been using arduinos in all kinds of rough and tough environments and their type b connectors 'never' fail. Mini a and b are not strong enough. Please consider a redesign. I know type b connectors are clunky looking cans with a big footprint, but they will stand the strain.

The USB connector on Netduino is Micro USB (the replacement for Mini USB). It is designed to remedy many of the issues of the old Mini USB standard. It supports 10,000 insertion cycles and has a locking mechanism.

We used a special Micro USB B part which is reinforced and soldered into the PCB--so that it's really hard to break off the connector. Unlike many of the 2-4 point surface-mount-soldered Mini/Micro USB connectors.

While our test process verifies that the USB connector is attached, it is possible for a weak bond to slip through from time to time. It sounds like this may have been the case with your Netduino.

Your Netduino is covered by a 30-day warranty. If the Micro-USB receptacle simply popped off the unit, that is certainly covered by the warranty. Please PM me and I'll get you instructions for replacement.

Sorry for the troubles, kenn!

Welcome to the Netduino community,

Chris

#9 Michel Trahan

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Posted 24 April 2011 - 01:26 PM

By the way, I have a netduino (normal one) and I am not gentle with my material (I throw the breadboard with the netduino connected to everything on the table with all my stuff (books, paper and all) all the time ... and never got it broken off nor disconnected. Mine is Mike proof :) So consider yourself not lucky because it works great for me :)
Started with C in 1985, moved to Vb3 ... to vb6 and stopped. Now started with .Net and learning C# and VB.net and wishing VB.net was on MF !

#10 Stefan

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Posted 24 April 2011 - 02:13 PM

To comment on the HTC charger cables. I got a HD2, and the charger cable works perfectly. But I noticed that the locking mechanism of the HTC cables isn't of very good quality. It works fine for my mobile, and even on my netduino, but it just doesn't lock that well. Can also be because I own my HD2 for a couple of years now (got it when it was released), so my cable could also be 'tired'.
"Fact that I'm a moderator doesn't make me an expert in things." Stefan, the eternal newb!
My .NETMF projects: .NETMF Toolbox / Gadgeteer Light / Some PCB designs




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