Why won't my ghetto hacked cable work?

[Northbanu]

Goal: Longer charging cable.
Problem: Got better things on which to spend 12 bucks.
Solution: On hand, I have at least a dozen USB printer cables, and a box of various adapter.

So I took 2 printer cables, cut the "square" end off, stripped the wires, spliced 'em together, and slapped a male-to-female adapter on one end.

No go. Charges a "feature phone" from my junk box though.

Any thoughts?

 

[pointzero1]

Spend the 12$.
:]

 

[Northbanu]

Meh! Twelve bucks is a six pack of Bells Two-Hearted Ale, a frozen pizza, and a gas station vending machine condom! C'mon now, a USB extension cord, or romantic evening with the lady?

At this point I'm curious about why it's not working. My mouse works plugged into it. It's 10' long, voltage drop perhaps? I dunno. I'm missing something I'm sure. Maybe instructables.com ....

 

[Snow02]

I love this thread title...I think it answers the question it proposes.

 

[Northbanu]

It really does.

But still...

 

[Mustang02]

You can buy a $200+ device and $30 a month data charges but you can't afford $12 for a cable?

 

[jaycemiskel]

If it doesn't work you don't really have much of a choice other than buying a new cord.

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[Northbanu]

You can buy a $200+ device and $30 a month data charges but you can't afford $12 for a cable?

Said I had better things to spend the 12 bucks on, not that I couldn't afford it.

It's the little details I know....

Plus I'm a "hack it" sorta guy.

 

[Snow02]

But the answer to your question is the connector you spliced on. Higher power devices utilize different wiring in the cable connectors. If you splice on a connector from another cable you know charges your phone, then it will work.

 

[samiusmc]

Goal: Longer charging cable.
Problem: Got better things on which to spend 12 bucks.
Solution: On hand, I have at least a dozen USB printer cables, and a box of various adapter.

So I took 2 printer cables, cut the "square" end off, stripped the wires, spliced 'em together, and slapped a male-to-female adapter on one end.

No go. Charges a "feature phone" from my junk box though.

Any thoughts?

Check out this site for the cheapest cables around. I bought a cable from them for $3.00 and it was $30.00 on Amazon.

http://www.monoprice.com/home/index.asp

 

[Northbanu]

@ samiusmc

Nice link. Other gadget stuff to.
Think Ill buy 2 USB cables, cut the wrong ends off, strip the wires, splice 'em together, and slap a male-to-female adapter on one end.

Wonder if it will work...

 

[Snow02]

As long as you use cables that charge the phone, it will work fine.

 

[Northbanu]

As long as you use cables that charge the phone, it will work fine.

Obviously. But what is so different? A USB cable is 4 four wires and a shield. I'm using a standard Verizon issue charging cable (which should be a standard 5 pin mico USB), plugged into the female adapter of my ghetto cable.
If I cut off the end of my charging cable, there will be 4 wires, red, black, white, and green. There is not alot of "wiring" going on BETWEEN the ends of a USB cable.

I think it's a voltage loss due to insufficient wire gage. But if you have an answer, please share. I wont this to work, damn it!

 

[Snow02]

I forget what the difference is. There's a short between two of the wires or something. Google should be able to elucidate it.

 

[lockman]

The voltage drop is at the spices. If you really want a proper looking ghetto cable, get a 10' section of 18/4 and some beanies.

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