|
Active USB cable
As I mentioned in an ONAG thread here recently, I am running my backyard pier via an active USB cable, an ATEN model UE 250, 5m long. It is working very reliably over a total 6m distance from a spare Quad-core AMD desktop PC bought from Aldi about four years ago.
There are two 5v powered hubs at the pier, connected in tandem. The first, a generic model I have had for years, feeds the power-hungry DSI II mono guider camera, plus a USB cable to the second powered hub, a small 4port Logitech, also some years old. This hub feeds the azeq6 mount, the FCUSB + focusser motor and a QHY 8 or 9 imaging camera, which also uses a separate 12vdc power connection.
I run 12vdc to the pier and use a couple of car-style 12v to 5v converters there.
As I said, runs like a dream. I do all my work from inside the warm house, using a Dell laptop plus large monitor, connected via WiFi to the PC, using Microsoft Remote Desktop. All the guiding and imaging work is done at the PC.
I'm surprised how reliable it is. (touch wood).
|