n800 usb rewire for power

[fadingdust]

So I was recharging my lovely n800, when the cable got yanked and thus broke the power jack inside (power cable is wobbley when plugged in).
I've pryed the bugger open (by *making my own* torx screwdriver) to reveal, wonder-of-all-wonders, the power adapter is a 2mm x 2mm x 4mm snap-in piece! This means I just need to buy/manufacture a new one.

But my question is (other than where to buy a replacement jack):
Can I jump a wire from the mini-usb line over to the terminals, thus powering my n800 via the mini-usb jack?
I'm not exactly a EE (though many a friend i have are)..
I've got a usb spec here: http://pinouts.ru/SerialPortsCables/usb_cable_pinout.shtml
How would I go about wiring it? I'm off to radio shack tomorrow for a voltage-tester for starters..
Anyone up for the challenge?

[barry99705]

Uhh, you might want to search for "usb charge". There's a whole thread dedicated to it. Never mind, here it is.


http://www.internettablettalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7936&highlight=usb+charge

[armel.deb]

So I was recharging my lovely n800, when the cable got yanked and thus broke the power jack inside (power cable is wobbley when plugged in).
I've pryed the bugger open (by *making my own* torx screwdriver) to reveal, wonder-of-all-wonders, the power adapter is a 2mm x 2mm x 4mm snap-in piece! This means I just need to buy/manufacture a new one.

But my question is (other than where to buy a replacement jack):
Can I jump a wire from the mini-usb line over to the terminals, thus powering my n800 via the mini-usb jack?
I'm not exactly a EE (though many a friend i have are)..
I've got a usb spec here: http://pinouts.ru/SerialPortsCables/usb_cable_pinout.shtml
How would I go about wiring it? I'm off to radio shack tomorrow for a voltage-tester for starters..
Anyone up for the challenge?

There is a good chance that it will work; the usb connector does not provide power even in host mode so there is low risk (WARNING ! IMHO...) of any damage if you "inject" power through and wire it up to the power jack. Good luck !

[fadingdust]

No no, I believe you've misunderstood. I've already seen that thread, that's not it at all. I'm referring to recharging the n800 through the mini-usb port on the n800 instead of thru the power jack on the n800. All clear now?

[barry99705]

No no, I believe you've misunderstood. I've already seen that thread, that's not it at all. I'm referring to recharging the n800 through the mini-usb port on the n800 instead of thru the power jack on the n800. All clear now?


Sorry, wrong link... :rolleyes: This one is for the 770, but the idea is the same.

http://www.internettablettalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7061&highlight=usb+charge

[murphy]

I made the modification for my n800 and it's working 'quite' great :

- when I plug the normal power cable, it detects usb connection and unmount all my cards !
- also when I plug the usb adapter, the cards are unmounted... but I need them ! (ex : with Maemo Mapper)
Is there a way to prevent unmounting cards when you plug usb cable ? (by software configuration)

- I leave it plugged all the night(6-7hours) but it was not fully charged ?! strange...

http://keepi.free.fr/11863938928.jpeg

http://keepi.free.fr/11863939383.jpeg

- there is also an icon bug (the left one ; maybe normal, I never tried usb cable before) :

http://keepi.free.fr/11863946154.jpeg

[Grue237]

Is there a way to prevent unmounting cards when you plug usb cable ? (by software configuration)


I wanted to make that mod for a while, but I was slightly apprehensive because I didnt want to kill the n800, and I also never got around to trying it. I know you asked for software, but the easiest solution is a mini switch.

[Texrat]

Murphy, any idea what charge rate you're seeing with this mod? Could you do some comparisons between normal charging and your modded charging?

[fanoush]

- when I plug the normal power cable, it detects usb connection and unmount all my cards !

A diode (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diode) could fix that. The current should go from usb to power jack but not in the other direction.

- also when I plug the usb adapter, the cards are unmounted... but I need them ! (ex : with Maemo Mapper)
Is there a way to prevent unmounting cards when you plug usb cable ? (by software configuration)

Yes, this is definitely solvable. Quick and dirty way is to edit
/usr/sbin/osso-mmc-umount.sh to return error. Just put 'false' command somewhere in the beginning. That would of course kill the usb storage feature altogether. It also shows error dialog. As another solution you could open some file from memory card (video? song?) before plugging in power. Same dialog should appear and card should be still usable after that.

[Texrat]

Oh yeah, completely forgot about the diode fix-- good call fanoush!

[ericdkirk]

This is a little off topic but I would also like to charge my 770 and n800 off of a USB but I am looking for a different solution. I would like an adapter that plugs into my mini-USB that converts the plug into the power plug, I have seen things like this for pocket pc's, I have looked but can't make heads or tails of what exactly to search for. Like this (http://shop.treonauts.com/content/accessories/5-84--1772.htm)
I found this (http://www.amazon.com/Nokia-CA-100-Cellular-phone-charging/dp/B000QGF8OQ/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-5810435-4551226?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1184987633&sr=8-1)but I am looking for something that is not so much and fits over the standard data cable for my tablet

[murphy]

I don't know if it is related but I recently have a big problem : I couldn't flash my device anymore ... In fact I think my laptop's usb ports are nearly dead ! Probably because it's normally limited with 500mA and the Nokia wants more.
- when I plug my n800, the OS doesn't detect my sdcards anymore :(
- usb charging continues to work :)
- Nokia flash updater doesn't detect my device (windows & linux) while n800 seems to be in usb mode (icon on the upper right) :(
- my usb keys aren't detected anymore on my laptop ! :(
- my usb mouse works fine on my laptop :)
- I tried with another usb cable and I've the same problems

...so pay attention if you want to charge via usb !

[tz1]

I found something similar, and cheaper. It was either at a truck-stop/travel-center or at a compusa, but they are about $10 - search for "retractable nokia usb", and then make sure you are getting the ultrasmall plug version.

[ravula79]

ericdkirk,

$5.50 shipped from https://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.4860

[igor]

Anyway the tablets can drain much more than 500 mA so it is still possible to drain the battery even while connected to such charger.
But this is still a good alternative to carrying a charger, especially when a power socket is not available and one has to carry a laptop (airplane for example).

[geneven]

Don't some airplanes have electrical outlets now? The trains I take do, and I think that there were outlets on my last flight from New York - London.

[gemniii42]

Don't some airplanes have electrical outlets now? The trains I take do, and I think that there were outlets on my last flight from New York - London.

You fly in a better class :)