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USB Weatherproof Connector - Panel Mount (USB-B)

There are times when you need to subject your electronics to some pretty intense environments. The most challenging part of designing for rough conditions is the problem of how to protect your electrical connections to the outside world. A normal panel mount connector will collect dust and leak water, but luckily, we just picked up these IP68 rated weatherproof USB connectors.

These USB-B type connectors are housed in a molded plastic assembly with O-rings and panel gaskets to keep your panel mount USB connection not only dust proof, but waterproof as well. The front of the assembly is threaded to accept a mating waterproof cable *or *sealing cap (which can be found in the related products below) that maintains the waterproof seal when there's nothing connected.

Note: The mating cap is sold separately.

  • Standard USB-B Type at Front
  • PCB Contacts at Rear (0.1" spaced)
  • IP68 Rated: Completely Dust-Tight and Water-Tight
  • Mates with Sealing Cap (sold separately)
  • Panel Mount in 36mm Diameter Hole

USB Weatherproof Connector - Panel Mount (USB-B) Product Help and Resources

Core Skill: Soldering

This skill defines how difficult the soldering is on a particular product. It might be a couple simple solder joints, or require special reflow tools.

1 Soldering

Skill Level: Noob - Some basic soldering is required, but it is limited to a just a few pins, basic through-hole soldering, and couple (if any) polarized components. A basic soldering iron is all you should need.
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Core Skill: DIY

Whether it's for assembling a kit, hacking an enclosure, or creating your own parts; the DIY skill is all about knowing how to use tools and the techniques associated with them.

3 DIY

Skill Level: Competent - You might need to break out the power tools. Nothing beyond a power drill or rotary tool should be required, but you might have a hard time with just a screwdriver and hammer. Cutting holes into plastic or metal might be required.
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Comments

Looking for answers to technical questions?

We welcome your comments and suggestions below. However, if you are looking for solutions to technical questions please see our Technical Assistance page.

  • dorkmo / about 6 years ago / 1

    Will Female Jumper Wires plug into this?

  • Member #363913 / about 7 years ago / 1

    Is everybody receiving this without the cap pictured? Not sure what good it is without it...

  • Submariner pro / about 7 years ago * / 1

    This is pretty useful but the price is too high.

  • Member #499634 / about 8 years ago / 1

    This isn't much good without the cap; any plans to offer an alternative?

  • Member #432370 / about 12 years ago / 2

    Wish there was a blank version of these for making custom waterproof connection ports.

  • TimZaman / about 12 years ago / 2

    Connections are as follows (not mentioned in the datasheet) (1: Vcc) (2: D-) (3: D+) (4: NC) (5: GND)

  • jdoscher / about 11 years ago / 1

    If you're looking at the pin-side of the unit (NOT the USB-B connector side) with the pins closest to the bottom of the unit, the pin mapping is: (leftmost: braided wiring connector) (2nd from left: black/GND) (3rd from left: green/D-) (4th from left: white/D+) (rightmost pin: red/+%V)

    Another way to make sure the unit is oriented the right way for the pinout is to look at the USB connector side, the white triangle on the connector should be on the top. I'm sure this is the pinout because I took a USB cable, cut it in half then used the wires and a multimeter to map the wires to the pins- the PDF in the document linked to above doesn't orient to map pin 1, and the pinout described elsewhere in the comments is just wrong.

  • Member #489276 / about 11 years ago / 1

    How would you connect this to arduino?

    • Member #401698 / about 11 years ago / 1

      Try soldering a USB A Breakout to the pins on the back and then using a USB cable to connect that to the arduino

  • cdv123cdv / about 12 years ago / 1

    Any tips on creating the 36mm panel mount hole?

    • MikeGrusin / about 12 years ago * / 2

      If you don't have access to the right size drill or hole saw, you might try an adjustable circle-cutting tool like these. I'll warn you that these are best used in a drill press; they're not balanced and can bind and snap when used in a hand drill (don't ask how I know).

  • Member #358967 / about 12 years ago / 1

    How do you wire this?

    There are five pins, ground and power rail and those can be checked using a multimeter. But for data?

    I need to wire this up for an Arduino weather logger proyect that will be held inside of enclosure, and by stripping a usb A to B cable and then connect it to the Arduino.

    Anyone here knows how to wire it?

    And also if someone knows the correct pin order it will be very helpful too.

    Thanks.

  • Member #334577 / about 12 years ago / 1

    The bulgin buccaneer series is good for weather and water resistent sealing, but for true waterproof sealing, you need to be very familiar with how these plugs work and how to properly connect them.

    I used two of these for a ROV I built half a year back. One was a two contact power and the other was an ethernet port. The Ethernet port sealed very nicely, but the power did not. It was probably due to the tight tolerances wire size and shape, but overall, they were difficult to use properly. The ethernet port was tested to be waterproofed up to 20 ft. I think Bulgin claims them to be waterproof tested at 10M for 1 or 2 weeks. The caps for the connectors also give the same sealing quality (even better sometimes), so they are good for just about any rugged environment.

    I hope this helps with whoever that wishes to use these for waterproof purposes.

  • Member #120239 / about 12 years ago / 1

    Can you look into getting the keyed pinned connectors or are they just way too expensive from your suppliers?

  • Maxwellfire / about 12 years ago / 1
  • AZN Gear / about 12 years ago / 1

    An added comment. These are great connectors, but one caveat. We used this product family for a ship board application that needed a IP68 rated usb key port. The connectors are only water/dust rated when they have the cover or proper cable attached. You have to use the cables or the cover that have the dust/water tight end on them that screws onto this connector. We had users leaving the cover off, and water would get into our instruments. If you follow the rules, it is a great connector.

    • dbc / about 12 years ago / 1

      Where can you get cables or keyboards and whatnot that mate with the threads?

      • we can look into getting the mating USB cable connector.

      • Kshatrya / about 12 years ago / 1

        THis looks like its a Bulgin Buccaneer device. Check their website for mating connectors and RJ-45 type components. http://bulgin.co.uk/Products/Buccaneer/Buccaneer_USB.html

      • AZN Gear / about 12 years ago / 1

        If you need them before SF gets them, it think you can get them from the big electronics places online.

        • dbc / about 12 years ago / 1

          The issue is getting ones that mate with these threads. The spec sheet doesn't seem to show the thread pitch. It looks like there are multiple standards for weather resistant USB connectdors.

  • WaHooCrazy7 / about 12 years ago / 1

    We used this same connector on a autonomous robot I worked on in college for the Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition. Great connectors, ours have been on the platform for 4 years and have held up awesome!

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