I broke my St-i

[trent_julie]

Hi All,
If someone provides me some measurements I will design up a little "USB Holding cap" and put it up on thingiverse for anyone to download ab=nd 3d print. I don't have an STI but I am happy to try and help.

Trent

[PRejto (Peter)]

Trent,

Thanks! I'll post the measurements once I have my camera back.

Peter

[lazjen (Chris)]

What measurements do you need?

[PRejto (Peter)]

I received word today that my "express" shipment to Santa Barbara arrived. Now SBIG has told me that the ST-I board is out of stock until mid August. Another month lost. Jeez.

So, how good are the Zwo cameras? Maybe I need some sort of backup camera in any case!

Peter

[Terry B]

As a simple prevention I have both cables that come out of the STi looped back and held to the body with an elastic band. A very simple prevention. I did it really to prevent accidentally ripping the cable out when guiding but it would also prevent damage.
Terry

[PRejto (Peter)]

Originally Posted by Terry B

As a simple prevention I have both cables that come out of the STi looped back and held to the body with an elastic band. A very simple prevention. I did it really to prevent accidentally ripping the cable out when guiding but it would also prevent damage.
Terry

Unfortunately that would not have prevented the damage I did. My head literally hit the connector, not the wires. And I only have the USB cable attached as I "direct guide" through TheSkyX. A right angled USB connector might have saved me, but I'm going to install a shield as well once the camera returns.

Peter

[Terry B]

Originally Posted by PRejto

Unfortunately that would not have prevented the damage I did. My head literally hit the connector, not the wires. And I only have the USB cable attached as I "direct guide" through TheSkyX. A right angled USB connector might have saved me, but I'm going to install a shield as well once the camera returns.

Peter

Or a smaller head.

[PRejto (Peter)]

ha ha. My head is already tooooooo small.

P

[trent_julie]

Hi,
I will need the outside diameter of the STI and measurements from top of usb to edges, everything else can be experimentation. If someone owns a camera in the Sutherland Shire I could work with them to complete it.

Cheers,

Trent

[Garbz (Chris)]

WHAT THE HELL!.

I just saw this thread and the pictures posted. Who the heck mounts a USB socket with pads specifically designed to hold the plug in place on anything other than a ground plane. It's not supposed to be just an electrical connection its supposed to be connected to a giant pad fixed to the bottom of the board.

[alpal]

Originally Posted by Garbz

WHAT THE HELL!.

I just saw this thread and the pictures posted. Who the heck mounts a USB socket with pads specifically designed to hold the plug in place on anything other than a ground plane. It's not supposed to be just an electrical connection its supposed to be connected to a giant pad fixed to the bottom of the board.

It actually broke off without too much damage to the board.
It looks like only one track was lifted.
That's good & makes it easy to repair.


I had to make my Lodestar very secure as per this photo
as it would have had the same problem.
It uses a plastic holder:
http://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/...onnectors.html
& needed a further tying down.
The tape is just used as a pad & is not around the wires.

[Garbz (Chris)]

Point is that it shouldn't have been connected to just a track to begin with. Those connections are structural not electrical. Pin 5 is electrical ground. A lot of people focus so much on the electrical design they forget why connectors have the pins they do to begin with.

[PRejto (Peter)]

Well, I really don't know about "repairable." SBIG says the board needs to be replaced and I'm in holding mode until they get some boards in stock.

That USB hoder from Telescok Express looks interesting but I rather doubt it wold have saved my camera from my head. I still think a right angled USB plug + a shield would pretty much prevent impact damage to the socket.

Peter