USB-C Bulk Head for BR housing (Data download and Charge)

General Discussion
1

Hi,
I’ve read all the threads on the forum but haven’t found any recent solution.
I’m looking to have a USB-C connector outside of the BR housing.
Based on past comments I would not like to splice my cable, but rather have a larger penetrator.
The goal is to be able to charge and download footage from a camera (Gopro) and charge the BR batteries for the lights once back on land, without the need to ever open the housing, reducing the risk of water intrusion in the field (especially in remote areas).

A female USB-C seems to have a size of 8.9mm so could pass into the M14 - 9.5 mm - Wetlink penetrator and be potted in place (just ordered one to test).

Next challenge will be to plug the wetlink penetrator when deployed. Something like Cobalt Dummy Cap https://www.bluetrailengineering.com/product-page/cobalt-series-dummy-cap (but there is no size specs online).
BR doesn’t seem to do not have a plug (only for the release valve), so the option will be to use a short cable (1-2 cm) to seal the wetlink Plug.

Online I could only find the new Nauticam USB-C bulkhead, but their product seems only to be rated to around 60m (we are aiming at 400-600m), and the Dive and See version, which uses M14 or M16 holes (and are not super cheap).
USB Charging & Data Transfer Bulkhead for Select Underwater Housings (175$)
Nauticam M16 USB-C Bulkhead with USB-C Connector
DNC-2168 Connector USB 3. Type C M14 for Nauticam Canon 1DX II Underwater Housing NA-1DXII
DNC 2173 USB-C 1/2-20 bulkhead connector for Ikelite 200DL Underwater Housing Sony Alpha A7 III, A7R III

We would like to build some thing similar and relatively low cost (BR penetrator M14 = 16$) + a USB-C Male to Female Cable (10$) plus some putty should do the job.

Has anyone already done it?
Any advice?
Are we missing something obvious?

Thanks a million.
Ale

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Hi @a.ponzo -
Welcome to the forums!
I don’t expect you’re going to be able to fit a USB -C connector into an M14 WetLink Penetrator - you can download the CAD to check, but it doesn’t seem like it would fit to me, especially behind the plug itself, if you intend to use that with a bit of cable.
A bit of cable is just going to leak right through the end of the conductors, unless the other end goes into the housing via another WetLink? The penetrator is essentially a very robust mechanical gland. The rubber seals also need to be replaced after a use or more, depending on the depth they’re exposed to.

Potting things for a seal is something I generally avoid - it is rarely a reliable and robust solution. O-rings work!

Blue Robotics is developing an affordable connector solution, but it would still require a custom whip - but USB and power transfer should be possible via this connection!

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One quick note I would say, if/when looking at the off the shelf options, double check the thread pitch - I know that Nauticam use M14x1 instead of the more standard M14x2 that the wetlink penetrators use.