Instructions on how to make a USB On The Go cable/box for the iriver H320 / H340:


As we know, the US version of the iriver H320 / H340 did not come with USB On The Go (USBOTG) enabled.
The 5 Volt power supply pin is inactive on the media port of the US iriver H320 / H340. This means that we have
to either (A) take apart our H300 and solder in a jumper wire, or (B) provide an external 5 Volt source to power
USBOTG devices connected to the iriver H320 / H340. Outlined here is how to build a box that provides an
external 5 Volt source to power USBOTG devices connected to the iriver H320 / H340, and at the same time,
doubles as a battery charger or external power supply for your iriver H320 / H340. It should be noted that you
aslo need to upgrade your firmware to the latest international (Korean) version for USBOTG to work.


Parts needed:

  • Altoids Mint can: ~ $2
  • 4 "AA" Battery holder with Wire connector. RadioShack Catalog #: 270-391 ~$1.69
  • 2.5Amp silicon diode Radio shack Catalog #: 276-1114 ~$1.69 for 3, but you only need 1.
  • USB extention cable--> Male USB-A to female USB-A
  • DC Power Plug Radio Shack Catalog #: 274-1532 ~$2.59 for 2, but you only need 1.
  • 3/16" Heat Shrink Tubing: $1.50 from your favorite hardware or electronics store.
  • About 4" of dual conductor 16 guage wire. Speaker wire works well.
  • Media Port adapter plug: $5 from IriverAmerica.com


    Tools needed:
  • Soldering Iron + solder
  • Wire cutters
  • Utility Knife
  • Needle Nose Pliers
  • Lighter or matches (for the heat shrink tubing
  • Soft pencil
  • Drill with small bits or a sharp screw


    Lets start off with cutting the USB extention cable:


    Note the male and female USB-A connectors on the USB extention cable:




    Cut the cable. Leave about 2" on the female side of the connector:




    Put the male part of the cable away for now. We'll come back to it later.



    Time to make the DC power plug cable:


    Unscrew the cap on the DC connector. The POSITIVE wire is soldered onto the CENTER pin of the connector.
    The NEGATIVE wire is soldered onto the OUTER pin of the connector.
    Feed the connector over the 4" wire, screw it down and put some heat shrink over it:


    Now we modifiy the Altoids can:


    Place the USB connector inside the Altoids can and use a pencil to trace around the connector:


    Take out the connector and use a sharp utility knife to poke through the tin and cut out hole for the connector:


    If done carefully, and a sharp knife is used, you can get a fairly clean hole cut. I found placing the can on a
    stack of news papers as I punched through it helped out a lot.


    Now put the female USB-A connector through the hole and carefully solder around the connector attaching it to the tin case:


    Cleaning the area with a Q-Tip soaked in Liquid flux is highly recomended before soldering. I highlight LIQUID
    , NOT paste flux be used. Liquid flux really makes soldering this 'mechanical' connection a lot cleaner and STRONGER:


    Testing to make sure a USB thumb drive fits in fine. If you cut the hole in the can too high, you won't be able
    to plug anything in with the lid closed.



    Next, using a sharp screw or drill, make two holes on the side of the Altoids can.
    The male USB cable and DC power plug cable will come out these holes:


    Lets now start the wiring:


    Cut the male USB-A cable to be about 5-6" long.
    Now strip all four cables in both the male and female connectors/wires:


    Now twist the wires together, matching the colors:

    Another angle:

    Heat shrink the WHITE and GREEN wires. From now on, we are finished with these colored wires:

    Now solder the diode to the RED wires. The SILVER band on the diode MUST be facing the RED wires!
    The diode drops the voltage by about 0.5Volts, making it safe to use Alkaline batteries while still remaining within USB spec.


    Here is where it gets a bit tricky so read carefully. The free lead from the diode now connects to BOTH the RED wire from the 4 "AA" battery holder
    AND the POSITIVE wire from the DC power plug. (The positive wire is the center one inside the connector)

    The black wire from the 4 "AA" battery holder connects to BOTH the two twisted black USB wires AND the NEGATIVE wire from the DC power plug.

    Here is a photoshoped picture that should explain everything:




    Once done, heat shrink all connections and pop in the battery holder into the Altoids can. Make sure the "wire" side of the 4 "AA" battery holder faces the HINGED part of the Altoids can.

    CAREFULLY tuck in the wires:



    We're done:












    Version 0.2 Last updated April 1, /2005