Powering an unpowered USB hub?

Squiddy · 09-02-2004, 12:21 PM

I was out in the car last night connecting things up and ran into a slight problem. I've got a 6ft usb extension cord coming from the trunk to up under the center console where I've got a 4 port unpowered USB hub. I plugged in the lilliput, a optical mouse and the gps to the hub and all of a sudden the gps started losing the signal. I'm pretty sure that the gps isn't getting enough power because I found some other posts where people were saying they the bu303 is power hungry.

This is the USB hub I'm using and it fits perfectly where I want it to go.

What I'm wondering, is, do you think that I could take my own regulated 5V line in and power the hub? From this website, it shows that pins 2+3 are data and 1+4 are +5. Could I just disconnect the power from the computer (pins 1+4) and apply my own +5V to these pins going into the hub to give the hub more power?

Thanks in advance

DjBac · 09-02-2004, 12:38 PM

If you try this then you might blow your hub!!!!

See in device manager which USB devices needs more than 100ma and either connect it with an extension to your mobo or get a self-powered hub!!

Weatherboy · 09-02-2004, 01:09 PM

agreed I have a self powered hub in my front passenger kickpanel right now powered by inverter but this weekend goign to run a 5v line from a empty drive power connector. self powered hubs are cheep

Squiddy · 09-02-2004, 02:41 PM

What part will blow? The traces on the PCB? I mean if I apply 5V, it's just like the 5V coming from the computer, except if I apply my own, it will supply the necessary current right?

I haven't found any powered hubs for less than $30CDN around here.. I don't want to have to spend that much on one.

DjBac · 09-02-2004, 04:35 PM

I your hub isn't designed for more than 100ma for every port then it will fail!!!

Also +5VSB is a bit difficult to deal with!!!
it may harm your mobo too!!

Squiddy · 09-02-2004, 04:37 PM

Ok thx yea I know it's probably not a great thing to be doing anyways.

I had a look at the power properties for my usb hub and it says that all of the devices on it require 100mA and the total to the hub is 500mA so there really shouldn't be a problem. There was a bit of cloud cover when I was trying it so maybe that's all it was.

Anyone else out there running a BU-303 gps mouse on an unpowered usb hub with other devices like a mouse and a touchscreen?