Externally Powered USB Hubs and Car Power

**chewiee** · 03-15-2005, 08:47 AM

OK,

Carnetix is cool, I get enough juice to run the following:
CarPC
Wireless Lan
External HD where all my songs live (USB and hibernation issues never resolved)
BU303 GPS Dongle
Wireless Keyboard

But if I want to add my bluetooth adapter etc I can't seem to get enough power to my USB HD.

I found a car 12v multi adaptor for the car called a "Sunpower 14.4 Watt Car Power Adaptor"

It provides the following voltages: 1.5, 3, 4.5, 6, 7.5, 9 and 12 and has an output current of 1200ma at full load.

Can I use this to power my external hub. I am a little curious as USB is 5v and I have a hub upstairs that outputs 7.5 in the house. Could I run it in the car, without causing any issues? I would of thought I would need exactly 5v.

Chewiee

**Confused** · 03-15-2005, 09:01 AM

You could run that hub from the 7.5V output of that - providing it doesn't require more than 1.2 Amps

My USB hub requires 6V, and that's been running OK on 5V, but i wouldn't chance the 7.5V hub on 5v!

Garry

**kiltjim** · 03-15-2005, 09:33 AM

I was looking for a simple solution for my hub as well. But my hub requires 2.2 amps at 5 volts. I'm sure I may be able to get away with 6 volts, but if I get close to the maximum current draw, I'm afraid of blowing out the converter.

**chewiee** · 03-20-2005, 10:55 AM

Ahh well tried this at the weekend and it didn't work

I connected it to the ground and live on the block on my amp, and it lit up showing power (no volt meter to hand), and connected it to my USB hub, it didn't give any extra juice to my devices

I disconnected it from the amp power, and noticed that it was still receiving power from the USB hub (must be from the PC somehow).

I am going to try a different hub, and see if I get any more luck before it gets put in the big box with bits that I 'plan to use in the future'!

Will let you know how I get on.

Chewiee