# DIY USB Cable Aviation Connector Retro-Fit
## Overview
Add some locking, quick-connection points to a USB cable for fun and style! These can be useful in cases where access to USB ports is difficult or connections are delicate, but who are we kidding -- these are especially great for making your keeb or cyberdeck rig look rad!
You can also create multiple "device side" cable halves with different connectors, such as USB micro-B, USB C, and USB mini, so that you can plug in a variety of devices without needing to unplug fragile USB plugs - just use your highly beefy YC-8 connectors!
Warning: Note: introducing a bunch of stuff in the middle of a USB cable isn't great for keeping things to USB spec, and it makes the USB cable not hot-swappable. Don't use them on USB 3 cables, high speed external drives, or mission critical medical device etc.
Best for mechanical keyboards and the like!
## Parts
Featured
### Fully Reversible Pink/Purple USB A to micro B Cable - 1m long
[Fully Reversible Pink/Purple USB A to micro B Cable - 1m long](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4111)
This cable is not only super-fashionable, with a woven pink and purple Blinka-like pattern, it's also fully reversible! That's right, you will save _seconds_ a day by not having to flip the cable around.
First let's talk about the cover and over-molding. We got these...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4111)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4111/guides)
Featured
### Pink and Purple Woven USB A to USB C Cable - 1 meter long
[Pink and Purple Woven USB A to USB C Cable - 1 meter long](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5153)
This cable is not only super-fashionable, with a woven pink and purple Blinka-like pattern, it's also made for USB C for our modernized breakout boards, Feathers, and more. [If you want something just like it but for Micro B, we...](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4111)
Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5153)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5153/guides)
Featured
### Pre-Cut Multi-Colored Heat Shrink Pack Kit - 280 pcs
[Pre-Cut Multi-Colored Heat Shrink Pack Kit - 280 pcs](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4559)
Heat shrink is the duct tape of electronics which we guess makes this heat shrink the colorful and exciting duct tape they sell at craft stores. This pack contains heat shrink tubes in five different colors - red, blue, aqua, yellow, and the classic Adafruit black.
Each...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4559)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4559/guides)
Featured
### High Temperature Polyimide Tape - 1cm wide x 33 meter roll
[High Temperature Polyimide Tape - 1cm wide x 33 meter roll](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3057)
**Polyimide Tape** (sometimes referred to by the brand name **Kapton Tape** ) is an interesting addition to your toolbox! Polyimide Tape remains stable across a wide range of temperatures from about −269°C to +400°C. Along with aircraft,...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3057)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3057/guides)
## Tools
Featured
### Multi-size wire stripper & cutter
[Multi-size wire stripper & cutter](https://www.adafruit.com/product/147)
We've upgraded our basic 'adjustable' wire strippers to these multi-sized wire strippers. They include: 20-30 AWG strippers, wire cutters, 'plier' tips, and a wire loop. Ground blades for precision cutting. Spring return, comfy molded handles and a closing-lock.
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/147)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/147/guides)
You'll also need:
- Soldering iron and solder
- Scissors
- Heat source for heat shrink tubing
# DIY USB Cable Aviation Connector Retro-Fit
## Wiring
## Wiring Chart
There are four conductors in a USB 1.1/2.0 cable to wire up in the cable connectors:
- **Red** (positive voltage) **VCC**
- **White** (negative data) **D-**
- **Green** (positive data) **D+**
- **Black** (ground) **GND**
## Connector Numbering
The aviation connectors have solder lugs with the pin numbers labeled in the plastic molding. They are pretty tiny and have the numbers spaced confusingly (why are the numbers evenly/ambiguously spaced between the pins?!), so we've created these diagrams and photos to help.
The connectors are keyed with a notch at the top to aid in orientation, as well. This is important because the connectors can only be coupled one way.
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# DIY USB Cable Aviation Connector Retro-Fit
## Assembly
## Cable Thickness
Getting the proper cable thickness is the key to a strong connection. The YC-8 connectors grip the cable when they are screwed down tightly.
You'll use heat shrink tubing to bulk up the woven fabric USB cable shown here and give it a better grip.
The connector housing's grip flanges can accommodate a cable thickness of 4.5mm to 5mm.
Note here how the inside diameter of the housing crimps from ~5mm down to 4.25mm when it is properly tightened.
We can see the cable's outside diameter is about 3.5mm.
One layer of the heat shrink tubing brings it to about 4.2mm.
Two layers gets us to a nearly idea 4.54mm!
## Cut the Cable
First, cut your USB cable with some sharp diagonal cutters about 1/3rd of the way from the device end of the cable (the non USB A side).
Wrap some Kapton tape around the fabric to prevent it from bunching up when adding heat shrink later.
Strip away the outer sheath to expose the conductors.
## Slide on the Connector
Disassemble one connector and slide the parts over the cable as shown.
Repeat for both sides.
## Add Heat Shrink Tubing
Cut two lengths of 4.5/2.25 heat shrink tubing, about 40mm in length.
Slide one piece over the cable and heat it, then repeat with the second piece.
This will give us the diameter needed for the cable assembly to tighten down properly.
## Strip Conductor Wires
Strip about 1mm of insulation from each of the four conductor wires.
## Solder the Wires
Follow the pin diagram from the Wiring page of this guide and carefully solder each conductor to the associated solder lug.
Be mindful of which connector corresponds to which housing, they are not identical.
## Insulate
Use Kapton tape to insulate the soldered lugs before screwing on the housing.
## Screw Together the Connector Housing
Holding the soldered connector in place so it does not twist and place strain on the soldered wiring, thread the housing on.
You may want to use small wrenches or pliers to get this on tight, which is what causes the connector to grip the heat shrink tubing and wire sheathing.
## Repeat
Repeat the entire soldering process for the other cable half, and then insulate the wiring.
Holding the soldered connector in place so it does not twist and place strain on the soldered wiring, thread the housing on.
You may want to use small wrenches or pliers to get this on tight, which is what causes the connector to grip the heat shrink tubing and wire sheathing.
## Connection!
You can now plug the cable halves together and use your USB cable. To separate the YC-8 connectors, retract the spring loaded collar and then pull the halves apart.
## Guide Products
### YC-8 Quick Release 4 Pin Connector Matching Pair
[YC-8 Quick Release 4 Pin Connector Matching Pair](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5144)
If you want the look and feel of aeronautical style quick-release connectors, this **YC-8 4-pin Connector Matching Pair** is an elegant and inexpensive alternative. Sure, they're not mil-spec but they do work and look great for DIY projects, keyboard builds, robotics,...
No Longer Stocked
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5144)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5144/guides)
### Fully Reversible Pink/Purple USB A to micro B Cable - 1m long
[Fully Reversible Pink/Purple USB A to micro B Cable - 1m long](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4111)
This cable is not only super-fashionable, with a woven pink and purple Blinka-like pattern, it's also fully reversible! That's right, you will save _seconds_ a day by not having to flip the cable around.
First let's talk about the cover and over-molding. We got these...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4111)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4111/guides)
### Pink and Purple Woven USB A to USB C Cable - 1 meter long
[Pink and Purple Woven USB A to USB C Cable - 1 meter long](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5153)
This cable is not only super-fashionable, with a woven pink and purple Blinka-like pattern, it's also made for USB C for our modernized breakout boards, Feathers, and more. [If you want something just like it but for Micro B, we...](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4111)
Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5153)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5153/guides)
### Pre-Cut Multi-Colored Heat Shrink Pack Kit - 280 pcs
[Pre-Cut Multi-Colored Heat Shrink Pack Kit - 280 pcs](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4559)
Heat shrink is the duct tape of electronics which we guess makes this heat shrink the colorful and exciting duct tape they sell at craft stores. This pack contains heat shrink tubes in five different colors - red, blue, aqua, yellow, and the classic Adafruit black.
Each...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4559)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4559/guides)
### High Temperature Polyimide Tape - 1cm wide x 33 meter roll
[High Temperature Polyimide Tape - 1cm wide x 33 meter roll](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3057)
**Polyimide Tape** (sometimes referred to by the brand name **Kapton Tape** ) is an interesting addition to your toolbox! Polyimide Tape remains stable across a wide range of temperatures from about −269°C to +400°C. Along with aircraft,...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3057)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3057/guides)
### Multi-size wire stripper & cutter
[Multi-size wire stripper & cutter](https://www.adafruit.com/product/147)
We've upgraded our basic 'adjustable' wire strippers to these multi-sized wire strippers. They include: 20-30 AWG strippers, wire cutters, 'plier' tips, and a wire loop. Ground blades for precision cutting. Spring return, comfy molded handles and a closing-lock.
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/147)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/147/guides)
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