Glowlight 3 USB port repair

apastuszak · 04-02-2022, 02:04 PM

My wife's Glowlight 3 has a failing MicroUSB port. Everything works fine on the unit, but to charge or sync, I really need to wiggle the cable in a certain direction.

I'd like to try to fix the thing, because it cold something as simple as a cracked solder joint.

Can anyone recommend a place that can repair the port. While they have it open, it might be a good idea to swap out the battery also.

Renate · 04-09-2022, 05:23 PM

Mmm, it can be tricky to find a connector with the same footprint.
Yeah, the geometry is not that tight and you can make any connector fit somehow.
I don't have any photos from the bottom side offhand.
Here is a photo from the top.

apastuszak · 04-12-2022, 06:17 AM

I wonder whether I could just open it up and re-solder the existing micro-usb connector to get it to charge. It will charge, but it's rather flaky with how it charges.

My wife is using my Kindle, but she LOVES the Oberon Design leather case I bought for her nook. I think she loves the case more than ereader itself. She also likes the page turn buttons.

Watched a video on how to change the battery. Looks pretty straightforward to open. Doesn't use any glue or tape like the Kindle does.

Renate · 04-12-2022, 08:41 AM

It might just need a reflow of the solder, but I'm thinking more that the connector is worn out. Beefy cables are nice, but they tend to put a load on connectors. The Glow '21 has a much less secure physical fit than the Onyx Poke3.

Yeah, Glow3 is easy, just work your way around it.
Glow2, you'd better have replacement tape and you have to open/shut it carefully to not disconnect the touch sensor. Swing the right side out only about 30 degrees before disconnecting. The flex circuit was designed too short.

04-02-2022, 02:04 PM	#1
apastuszak Evangelist Posts: 436 Karma: 125599 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Bensalem, PA Device: Kindle Paperwhite, nook Glowlight Plus, Apple iPad Air 2	Glowlight 3 USB port repair My wife's Glowlight 3 has a failing MicroUSB port. Everything works fine on the unit, but to charge or sync, I really need to wiggle the cable in a certain direction. I'd like to try to fix the thing, because it cold something as simple as a cracked solder joint. Can anyone recommend a place that can repair the port. While they have it open, it might be a good idea to swap out the battery also.

04-09-2022, 05:23 PM	#2
Renate Wizard Posts: 2,303 Karma: 9599999 Join Date: Feb 2012 Device: Nook NST, Glow2, 3, 4, '21, Kobo Aura2, Poke3, Poke5	Mmm, it can be tricky to find a connector with the same footprint. Yeah, the geometry is not that tight and you can make any connector fit somehow. I don't have any photos from the bottom side offhand. Here is a photo from the top. Attached Thumbnails

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04-12-2022, 06:17 AM	#3
apastuszak Evangelist Posts: 436 Karma: 125599 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Bensalem, PA Device: Kindle Paperwhite, nook Glowlight Plus, Apple iPad Air 2	I wonder whether I could just open it up and re-solder the existing micro-usb connector to get it to charge. It will charge, but it's rather flaky with how it charges. My wife is using my Kindle, but she LOVES the Oberon Design leather case I bought for her nook. I think she loves the case more than ereader itself. She also likes the page turn buttons. Watched a video on how to change the battery. Looks pretty straightforward to open. Doesn't use any glue or tape like the Kindle does.

04-12-2022, 08:41 AM	#4
Renate Wizard Posts: 2,303 Karma: 9599999 Join Date: Feb 2012 Device: Nook NST, Glow2, 3, 4, '21, Kobo Aura2, Poke3, Poke5	It might just need a reflow of the solder, but I'm thinking more that the connector is worn out. Beefy cables are nice, but they tend to put a load on connectors. The Glow '21 has a much less secure physical fit than the Onyx Poke3. Yeah, Glow3 is easy, just work your way around it. Glow2, you'd better have replacement tape and you have to open/shut it carefully to not disconnect the touch sensor. Swing the right side out only about 30 degrees before disconnecting. The flex circuit was designed too short.

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