Buying USB C parts to use with Arduino Nano Clone
Hey all!
I am purchasing components to use with a Nano clone I buy frequently (LGT8F328P), as it only has a built in micro USB. I am looking to add USB C power and data communication. The cable should be able to plug in either way.
From where my research lead me, I should use a 16 pin female USB C connector with 5.1K resistors and wire that in to the Nano to do this. To my understanding these connectors are usually 12v, so I would need a 12v -> 5v buck converter in the mix to get the proper voltage for the Nano (I think?).
Here is a model that is very small and claims to have dual 5.1K resistors. I'm worried about the form factor though as I will be 3D printing housings, so I'm not sure the best way to affix this to the print:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007348932368.html
This is a more ideal form factor for me, and the blue one looks like it has pre-soldered resistors. I'm not sure if it's what I need or not:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009015653966.html
For the 12v -> 5v buck converter, here's what I found (NOTE: I am looking at the option "5V 5pcs"):
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008678729834.html
Bonus questions not really related to the main goal of this post:
Also wondering if there is a good way to secure both the first USB C option (without the screws) and the buck converter. They don't have screw-downs and modeling something to hold them that I can screw down seems a bit extra.
I have no idea if this is actually the right stuff, or if I'm vastly overlooking an aspect of this. Any help or direction would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you.
16 Replies
it looks like you'd be able to plug a standard USB-C cable into the second link, not sure what 12v has to do with this.
oh ok, i wasn't sure if i needed something to limit the current, or if that is enough as is. maybe i was thinking of a usb 2.0 port i was going to add for a webcam on pi clone 😬
ill order a couple of those C connectors, thank you!
with 5.1K USB-C will deliver 5v
and USB-A or USB-B only does 5v
ahh ok! i dont know how i got that buck converter up in the mix. thank you for the help! 🙂
do you know if it should just function like normal when wired for power/data as far as using with arduino code program? or might there be special setup required for usb c connector?
you are just using it to get 5v and data, same as the Nano would from the usb micro
perfect
i would've assumed so, but didnt want to assume 😉
the key is those resistors, USB micro doesn't need them, usb c does
right on. yeah i really wanted to make sure they were pre-installed just to keep my life a little easier!
Hey, just realized that the board doesn't have D+/- pins so i need to do it a different way. I don't know all the terminology really, but it looks like I can use a CH9340C to allow me to connect USB to the LGT8 board. I was looking at the CH340C, however the CH9340C is USB CDC so I guess that means I definitely don't need to worry about drivers on modern systems. (Looking to deploy the final solution to GFs computer, so not having to install extra drivers would be ideal)
The specific one I'm looking at is the CH9340C Type-C:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008730255118.html
From what I can tell, it has resistors, and it's straightforward wiring to the LGT8.
Is there anything I may be missing?
ah, a Pro Mini, not a Nano clone, so yes you need a USB to serial (TTL) bridge chip
yes sorry i get stuff confused a bit haha. ill order it now! looking forward to checking it out
thank you for the help figuring this out 🙂
I'm assuming you'll get CH340, so you will need to load a driver
i was planning to get CH9340C as apparently it being "USB CDC", windows already has that driver
🤷♂️ that link looks like "you'll get what we ship you"
lol well we'll find out in a few weeks
loading CH340 drivers isn't the worst thing in the world to do
https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/how-to-install-ch340-drivers/all
thank you! if it's not the USB CDC one, ill use this to get it set up 🙂 hoping since the seller has good history, the product will be correct.