USB keyboard wire replacement

Velokki · 30 Mar 2015 at 19:29

Hello, knowledgeable overclockers!

I have a very basic, but comfortable USB keyboard. The wire on it started losing contact, and when I twist it, it's apparent there's a contact problem.

Now, I want to either repair the wire by cutting away and repairing the cable, or replace the cable completely.

This kind of connector is on the broken end of the keyboard (the connector itself is not broken, it's the twisted wire):
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v677/velocityx/20150330_201923.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v677/velocityx/20150330_202018.jpg

Now my questions are:
1. How to detach that white connector off the usb cable?
2. If it's not possible, what would be the correct replacement for this kind of usb cable with this connector? I'm sure it's a very basic component, but couldn't find one.

Thanks a lot in advance!

Velokki · 31 Mar 2015 at 06:04

Hey guys, I'd really appreciate if you helped me with this!

RJC · 31 Mar 2015 at 07:15

If you have a small terminal screwdriver you should be able to insert from the side and release the pin and hopefully the cable should pull out, but be careful.

You can get pin extracters from RS and Farnell.

Tealc · 31 Mar 2015 at 08:31

The connector looks like a JST XHP-5.

If you can pinpoint the break in the cable it would be simple enough to cut the cable, remove a bit of the wire and rejoin all four leads using a soldering iron and some heatshrink. Providing you don't untwist too much of the cable it should not have any issues once rejoined.

Finding a replacement cable might be quite tricky as I'd expect the stock cable to be a bespoke part designed by the keyboard manufacturer.

Another alternative is to buy a standard USB cable and chop the B end off and join up to the JST connector. The colours are red/black for the 5v/ground, green and white for the data pair. The extra black may be coming from the screen.

It's simple enough to extract SXH terminals with a craft knife or other pointy tool. Simply press down on the little latch while pushing the terminal in, once depressed you should be able to extract the terminal. No special tool needed for these.

I worked with these and other types of JST, Molex and AMP connectors for near twenty years.

Velokki · 2 Apr 2015 at 22:25

Thanks a lot guys. I'm not able to open the white plastic part, it's very much solid and there seems to be no opening mechanism. I'm thinking of doing the ghetto way like TealC proposed, "remove a bit of the wire and rejoin all four leads using a soldering iron and some heatshrink". That should be the simplest.

I'll post results when ready!

Once again, thanks a lot, especially Tealc for the really professional and interesting answer!