Hello all, I'm quite new to this and was wondering if someone could help me out. I have a board where I ripped off the micro usb connector and trace. I was looking to just attach a usb cable (+ and -) directly to the board, but cant figure out which points to solder to. I probably should buy a multimeter but for now I dont have one. I have attached pictures of the board, anyone have any ideas as to which points I need to solder?

 

Without a schematic or datasheet it is literately impossible to know. How do you know a USB connector can be attached?

 

The power contacts will be the two outer conductors of the USB, so you just need to figure out which is which. If you have a multimeter, check for continuity to the black lead that goes to the battery. That'll be the negative side of the USB. I suggest you look up the pinout of a standard USB jack to verify your measurement. You should use two methods to make the determination, and obviously get them to agree, before you hook anything up.

 

I figured as much. I know it had a micro usb port, so naturally just splicing a usb cable and soldering it to the positive and negative points would do the trick...I assume

 

If the connector was soldered to traces there should be plenty of evidence as to where those traces lead. At least if it has not been cleaned up after the connector was pulled off. You will need decent light and a good magnifier and a lot of patience, but it should be possible to see where the traces were. And, even better, if the full sized USB connector was provided as a substitute for the micro USB connector then just use those connections to solder to. That is even simpler.

 

OH! You accidentally tore the old connector off of the board? I agree with misterbill. Should not be hard to figure out where it goes. Now soldering it in place will be a different story.

Sorry I took it as wanting to add a USAB connector to a board that had none to begin with.

 

OH! You accidentally tore the old connector off of the board? I agree with misterbill. Should not be hard to figure out where it goes. Now soldering it in place will be a different story.

Sorry I took it as wanting to add a USAB connector to a board that had none to begin with.

Indeed. Adding a connection would also require additional code to be added, and that could be a real challenge. Discovering connections is just a matter of very careful and well magnified inspection, unless the board has been soldered at in an un-expert manner.

It may even be possible to add such a connector on top of the existing connector, using a suitable insulating adhesive.
Is the purpose of the intended connection to charge a battery? That may add some extra considerations.