Re-using the keyboard's USB cable

[ecraven]

Very cool project, I'm looking forward to building at least 2-3 of these, I've been thinking about doing this for some time, but couldn't have managed as well as you did!

Do you have a good solution on how to use the original USB cable that comes with the keyboard, and connect it to the teensy internally? I have a couple of old Kinesis Advantage (1), it seems that the USB cable goes to a brown connector internally, could I somehow "forward" those wires into a micro-USB plug and plug that into the teensy?

Thanks for any help with this, I hope I didn't overlook an existing answer to this :-/

[stapelberg]

Hey, I’m glad my project is useful to you :)

Yep, re-using the USB cable is definitely a possibility!

Myself, I use this self-designed USB 2 hub:

• https://michael.stapelberg.ch/posts/2018-04-17-kinx-usb-hub/
• https://github.com/kinx-project/hub-hw

But before I had the hub (where the USB cable plugs into without any destruction), I just cut off the Kinesis USB cable and a micro USB cable, and soldered them together with the appropriate pinout (measure using the continuity probe of a multi meter).

I hope this helps you decide what sort of solution you want to target. If you’re interested in the hub, that might be cleanest, but also the most effort.

[ecraven]

It would be ideal to have a non-destructive solution, but no idea whether that would be possible. I'm guessing the built-in USB hub doesn't actually "forward" the USB pins to the existing atmel microcontroller? So I'll have to bypass that anyway?
Edit: there's a connector that connects the usb input and the rj25 (I think) to the usb pcb, I could probably look for a connector for that, but on the other hand, I'll have to rip out the glued-in board (destructively) anyway :)

[stapelberg]

For the minimal non-destructive solutions, I would recommend wiring up the connector (https://www.digikey.ch/product-detail/en/440054-7/A100039-ND/2077943/?itemSeq=336326000) to a USB plug (just cut a cable).

Depending on where you live and how much money you want to spend, you might also be able to just order one (or a few) replacement USB cables from Kinesis, and then do with them what you want :)

[Sanic]

Thanks for the pointer to the 440054-7 header @stapelberg !
I've used that connector and followed your suggestion of using a USB cable.
It worked perfectly on my KB500 👍

If somebody wants to replicate this, here are the relevant pins that you need to connect from the original USB cable connector:

Black: GND (-)
Green: USB D+
White: USB D-
RED: +

Not sure if every cable respects these color wires. But in my case they did 😃

[nputnam]

Be sure to check your connector before ordering! I had a 9 pin version, 440054-9 worked for me.

[stapelberg]

Be sure to check your connector before ordering! I had a 9 pin version, 440054-9 worked for me.

Could you share a photo? I haven’t seen the 9-pin version before. Thanks!

[nputnam]

Here is a file of my hacked together connector and the original board. The connector just aligned the colors, my camera makes the usb wire look blue when it's really green.

[theaquamarine]

I had a 9-pin connector too, in a KB600 with the same manufacture date on the PCB. I think the original part is a JST PH https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/jst-sales-america-inc/B9B-PH-K-S-LF-SN/926618 https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/jst-sales-america-inc/PHR-9/608601?s=N4IgTCBcDaIFYGcAuACADgCxQThAXQF8g

[danieldk]

A bought a JST connector and went for that approach first. But the pins are awfully close together, so I was a bit worried that after enough time/friction they may short even with plenty of glue. I now found a USB Micro-B mount that is a pretty good fit. It seems fairly generic, so you can probably find other brands with the same product.

This is the one that I got: https://www.amazon.nl/dp/B08RSGYV1S/ref=pe_28126711_487805961_TE_item

[lread]

I now found a USB Micro-B mount that is a pretty good fit. It seems fairly generic, so you can probably find other brands with the same product.

@danieldk thanks so much for this clever tip! I bought and installed this equivalent:
https://www.amazon.ca/QIANRENON-Waterproof-Extension-Connector-Motorcycle/dp/B0BBQKGBQZ
Also: I found that using the included rubber washer on the outside made it grip more tightly.