Button blank USB C and HDMI

[CJW]

Evening. Sorry if this is old news but I just found these on the PiHut UK store - seem to be small enough to fit into the T6 button blanks. Have ordered the USB C one and will report back when fitted / failed miserably.

Specs are pretty good - USB3.0 A to 3.1 C

 

[The_Lad]

I was looking for something like the USB-C one but with some sort of USB-C PD functionality built in

 

[CJW]

Doesn’t 3.1 include the PD standard? Will it matter if the other end is USB A? I think there is a ‘power contract’ between the connectors and that might require 3.1 at both ends.

I’m happy to test it for you. What would be a fair test?

 

[CJW]

Doesn’t 3.1 include the PD standard? Will it matter if the other end is USB A? I think there is a ‘power contract’ between the connectors and that might require 3.1 at both ends.

I’m happy to test it for you. What would be a fair test?

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Read a bit more into this and would have to be USBC 3.1 at each end. I’ll keep my eyes open for one for you @The_Lad

 

[CJW]

Reporting back:

• The USB-C one fits. Just.
• The HDMI one won't work because it's 4mm wider and you can see below how close a fit the USB-C one is.

This amazing human over on Thingiverse, Vincent Whalley (Is he a forum member? Didn't come up in a search) has made a 3D model of the middle button blank from the T6. It needed some fairly hefty mod to make it work but it was an excellent starting point. The model is under creative commons license so I need to name him (done that) and include the original link here:

VW T6 Switch Blank (center) by vincentwhalley

Designed the center switch for the VW T6 as there is not one. Still a WIP so dont expect the best.best to print in at 0.1mm as there is some size critical

www.thingiverse.com

Here's a screen grab of the modifications I made, knocking the hole out, changing some of the geometry to make it sit right and stay in:



Then into PruscaSlicer for print prep:



Which gave me this sleeve that fits around the usb port, and connects into the top or bottom blank row in the van. This was a low-quality test prototype but it's helpful to see what is the USB connector (black) and what is the 3D print (grey):



Once it was proven to work and fit, I made and painted it. I regretted not having any black ABS filament, and will replace in the future.



And it fits well, doesn't move about and the cable can be yanked and seated with force and it doesn't move.



I did experiment with recessing it, but there was just so little material left, it would have broken if I'd tried to lever it out with the trim tool. Maybe it's worth another go one time. This is just a quick and rough test, hence the scraggy print.



The USB-C to USB-A cable is available below for £6. The print cost pennies. I now have a 200mm USB-C to Lightning cable on order from Amazon (£6 for 2) for a direct connect into my phone which is just above the button bank in a MagSafe holder / charger connected to a Brodit mount. The flying lead behind it is just the right length to connect into my smartphone USB-in on the head unit, and the second USB in goes to the normal T6 USB port.

https://www.digikey.co.uk/en/products/detail/adafruit-industries-llc/4052/9997692?utm_adgroup=USB%20Cables&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping_Product_Cable%20Assemblies&utm_term=&productid=9997692&gclid=Cj0KCQiA_P6dBhD1ARIsAAGI7HD1TwZ17BhDamJtR8Ro2ysFKm7rDkjlKysSPjArUcxd6OYK-8pTIM8aAtcpEALw_wcB

 

[CJW]

I was looking for something like the USB-C one but with some sort of USB-C PD functionality built in

Apologies if you’ve already seen / discounted the below unit, but just in case:

 

[The_Lad]

I’ve got something like that I just need to strip it down and 3D print something to fit the dash blank I think that would look cool

 

[CJW]

Might be a bit big for the button blanks, perhaps. If you do fit this elsewhere on the dash there is a panel mount version - much easier to fit and wire.