Any easy way to fix/replace USB port?

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Zii

Zii

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OK so technically it's not a PC motherboard, but a small circuit board for a pen charger. Check first picture.

What happened is that I accidentally bumped into it while it was plugged into the wall, and the USB tip snapped off.

Normally, I would just suck it up and buy a new one, but this charger LITERALLY DOES NOT EXIST. 10 bucks if you can find the exact replacement online.

Anyways, the tip broke off and now I can't charge the pen. Here is what I'm talking about. (pics after the first one)
As you can see, the 4 little connectors aren't connected anymore in 2 places, on the mobo, and on the USB head.

Can I just buy a replacement USB head? Will this one work? Or something like it?
Do I have to solder it back on? Will soldering even work? I've never tried anything like this before.

Really need to charge the pen, and am totally lost. Ideas?

Also, if there's a better place to post this please let me know. I skimmed through the forums and felt like here was appropriate.
 
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audie-tron25
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audie-tron25

audie-tron25

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Might be a bit tricky. Soldering a replacement connector might work but I'm not sure if the connector ripped off the contact pads on the board. If that's the case, it might not be possible to fix it. If you have access to a soldering iron, it might be worth trying anyway.

Is there any specifications on the pen about the charging voltage/current (apart from the 5V/1A the charger uses)? It looks like it might be possible use another charger (same output but different connector) but solder the pen connector onto it.
 
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Karadjgne

Karadjgne

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Buy a new charger.

Yes you can buy replacement/repair USB tips, yes you can desolder the old tips and replace with the new head. BUT! You'd need a few things like an electronics capable soldering iron, solder wick to remove the old solder, freeing up the pcb for new solder, silver solder in fine wire, good steady hands, decent quality magnifying glass that is large enough to see what you are doing, a very good ability at soldering etc. Grand total for all that is more than the price of a new charger. 1 tiny mistake, all the work is now wasted, parts wasted, money wasted.

Cheaper/easier to replace than repair unless you already have what's needed.
 
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Zii

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Maybe I didn't explain well in the post, but it is absolutely impossible to replace the charger. According to the internet, it does not exist. The monitor display itself is no longer being sold anywhere, so I doubt I'd find the charger.

My one other option is to disassemble the pen itself, and put the sensor inside another pen, like a wacom or huion. But I rather not do this because I could easily screw up, and there's no going back.
 
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Zii

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I'm glad you brought that up. After searching around for about a half hour, I came across this image (first one) where it mentions the pen takes 5v like you said, and the bottom contact is negative.

The 2nd picture is the how the charger holds the pen, and the 3rd shows the pen with the two nibs that come into contact with the metal things on the other side of the circuit board.

You think I could repurpose something that's 5V as long as it touches the top nib, it will charge?

Quick edit: if I manually hold all the broken parts together, the red LED on the board briefly lights up, so I know the mobo isn't damaged, and could still be fixed if only I knew how.
 
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audie-tron25

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You should be able to do that. My concern is the current draw (since it could be anywhere from 0.5-1A) so if you were to do this, make sure it is a charger that supplies that sort of power (avoid 2A chargers).

You will need a soldering iron and solder to fix the charger. Try soldering a few wires onto the board and connect them to the new USB plug (being careful to attach the wires to the correct positions). It would be very tricky since the pads are small and close together but it is an option.

Otherwise, you should be able to use a 5V/1A USB charger. Strip one end of a USB cable and attach the wires to the end of the board (where the nibs are). Keep in mind that the black wire will be negative, the red positive and ignore the other wires (data wires). The will have insulation on each wire and will need to be striped as well.

Either way, it is difficult to fix. Would it be possible to just glue/tape it in a position where it works?

 
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