Glo HD Kobo Glo HD USB Replacement

[CommanderN77]

Hi all!

I'm trying to repair an old Kobo HD. The Micro-USB port is damaged and needs replacement.

I’m looking for the schematic/PCB layout to assist with the soldering.

Also, has anyone successfully performed a USB-C mod on this device?
I'd prefer to upgrade the port if possible.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by CommanderN77

Hi all!

I'm trying to repair an old Kobo HD. The Micro-USB port is damaged and needs replacement.

I’m looking for the schematic/PCB layout to assist with the soldering.

Also, has anyone successfully performed a USB-C mod on this device?
I'd prefer to upgrade the port if possible.

[mrmikey]

Kudos to buddy for getting it repaired. A bit of flux and a smaller, cleaner soldering iron would have helped a bit. But, he got it fixed so I shouldn't complain.

[CommanderN77]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Thank you for the video, but unfortunately, the provided footage demonstrates standard SMD soldering to existing contact pads.

In my specific case, the PCB land patterns have suffered approximately 50% delamination or destruction. Consequently, a direct pad-to-component bond is not viable.
I will likely need to perform a trace bypass or point-to-point jumper wire repair, rerouting the electrical path from its original via or component source directly to the external port interface.

Here is the example how previous owner did the same with battery.

[CommanderN77]

Bump the post

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by CommanderN77

Bump the post

You could try to find a Kobo Glo HD on eBay with a broken screen and swap motherboards and while you are at it, backup your memory card.

[CommanderN77]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

You could try to find a Kobo Glo HD on eBay with a broken screen and swap motherboards and while you are at it, backup your memory card.

ok, but at this point it is chieper to just buy a new reader.
the whole idea was to replace USB port for a couple of bucks (and maybe the battery).

I will try my best to find someone that can do the job, but maybe it is just easier to dump it and get a new one (second hand they cost aroung 25 $).

[Apollyon202]

Personally I wouldn't go under Clara HD (and also skip the Nia).
Clara iterations have amber light which is a significant improvement.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Apollyon202

Personally I wouldn't go under Clara HD (and also skip the Nia).
Clara iterations have amber light which is a significant improvement.

I disagree about the amber light being a significant upgrade. I have the amber light on my Libra 2 and I don't use it.

[Apollyon202]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I disagree about the amber light being a significant upgrade. I have the amber light on my Libra 2 and I don't use it.

If you belong to the human species, cutting down blue light towards the end of the day has a direct effect on sleep quality, which directly affects your quality of life.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by Apollyon202

If you belong to the human species, cutting down blue light towards the end of the day has a direct effect on sleep quality, which directly affects your quality of life.

More correctly, some members of the human species seem to be affected by blue light. From the summary quoted below, there seems to be no agreement in the studies that investigated potential ill effects from blue light exposure within 1-3 hours of attempting to go to sleep. The summary gives a rather strange mix of conclusions and does not make it clear whether some of the studies found their conclusions based on a reduction in exposure to blue light. Does the decrease in sleep quality, duration efficacy and sleep latency indicate a reduction in blue light caused those issues or exposure to blue light close to trying to sleep. Looking at some of the studies that did not require an academic login was an exercise in curing insomnia.

Summarizing the influence of blue light exposure, the following results were found (expressed as proportion to the number of studies investigating the particular parameter): Fifty percent of studies found tiredness to be decreased. One fifth of studies found sleep quality to be decreased and one third found sleep duration to be decreased. Half of the studies found sleep efficacy to be decreased and slightly less than half found sleep latency to be increased. More than one half of the studies found cognitive performance to be increased. Slightly more than two thirds found alertness to be increased and reaction time to be decreased. Slightly less than half of the studies found wellbeing to be increased.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Apollyon202

If you belong to the human species, cutting down blue light towards the end of the day has a direct effect on sleep quality, which directly affects your quality of life.

The "blue light" in the regular light does not bother me. I read in bed sometimes before going to sleep and the light causes have no trouble getting to sleep.

[Apollyon202]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The "blue light" in the regular light does not bother me. I read in bed sometimes before going to sleep and the light causes have no trouble getting to sleep.

Sleep quality doesn’t equal falling asleep easily. Even if you drink a cup of strong coffee, you can still fall asleep right after.
Good sleep quality means spending enough time in deep sleep, which is the most crucial and restorative phase of the sleep cycle. Caffeine, alcohol, and even blue light exposure late in the evening can interfere with, or prevent these deep sleep stages. Which will affect body health at least on the long term.

Of course, everyone can decide what they do with their lives.

Anyway, because of that, amber light is a really helpful feature for nighttime readers.