USB Hub

[E_ri_k (Erik)]

Hey guys. I have been using a small PC under my mount to take the USB from my imaging camera, guider, focuser, and mount. I'd like to get a Hub and then just have the Hub strapped to the mount, with one USB cable running to a PC a little further away.

Is it wise to mix up these USB cables to a Hub, or may it cause problems?

Erik

[Shiraz (Ray)]

FWIW, I have a Belkin 4 port hub that runs my QHY8, QHY5guider, ASCOM focuser and (tested with) ASCOM filter wheel - it all just works, which was a pleasant experience.

[E_ri_k (Erik)]

Nice, thanks. I'll give it a go then

Erik

[wasyoungonce (Brendan)]

I built my 4 port power/USB hub by savaging the innards of a 4 port hub and building in a +5V power supply of 2.5A for the USB hub power.

A bit of overkill but it runs: USB DSLR; Autoguider USB; USB focus controller; and USB webcam all at once with them all active. Also recognised and runs USB/RS232 converter just fine. Connected back to lappy on 5m lead.

So USB hubs...try to use a powered one not a self powered as these may not have enough current capacity.

[Merlin66 (Ken)]

I use a 6 port powered USB hub under the tripod for everything! 3 cameras, guider, focus control, spectroscope etc.
I got one of those voltage convertors 12V to 6V to power it.
Now four years old and still going strong....

[Karls48 (Karl)]

Originally Posted by wasyoungonce

I built my 4 port power/USB hub by savaging the innards of a 4 port hub and building in a +5V power supply of 2.5A for the USB hub power.

A bit of overkill but it runs: USB DSLR; Autoguider USB; USB focus controller; and USB webcam all at once with them all active. Also recognised and runs USB/RS232 converter just fine. Connected back to lappy on 5m lead.

So USB hubs...try to use a powered one not a self powered as these may not have enough current capacity.

This is much better solution then using cheap switch mode PS that are supplied with some powered USB hubs. Couple years back one of those PS self destructed and killed my IBM R52 laptop. Lucky -no damage to astro gear,

[E_ri_k (Erik)]

Thanks for the info. I was thinking maybe there would be some kind of interference or lag with many devices plugged into the same thing. I'll get a powered one tomorrow and try it out!

Erik

[wasyoungonce (Brendan)]

A good USB 2 hub should be able to run 480Mbps so that's a lot of data.....way more than Lan 10/100Mbps. Of course this probably depends on the quality of the hub firmware and chip-sets and cable lengths. I don't get any lag or drop out...so far!

I've run out of ports with my 4 port hub!

I did think ahead and have provision for another USB hub to run on my system as I have interface connections already in place. So either another hub or a 7 port hub for me....

[E_ri_k (Erik)]

Works brilliantly! No problems at all !