New Product: p5USB Hub

optikalefx · 07-13-2009, 10:31 AM

Goce from mp3Car shows the advantages to the p5USB hub
http://store.mp3car.com/DC_Powered_4..._p/adt-015.htm

Features include:
Take voltage from 7-32 volts
guaranteed 500 mA to each port.
Each port has it's own self resetting fuse
Reverse polarity protection
startup and shutdow controller
Delayed startup and shutdown (5 min and 25 min)

http://store.mp3car.com/DC_Powered_4..._p/adt-015.htm

justchat_1 · 07-14-2009, 12:40 PM

$85 for something you can put together for ~$20? (minus the startup/shutdown timer)

Sonicxtacy02 · 07-14-2009, 01:36 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by justchat_1

$85 for something you can put together for ~$20? (minus the startup/shutdown timer)

if it were THAT simple.. there'd be someone on this board with it done already... and they'd probably be selling it as well. Having used this board for 2 weeks now i can say its easily the most hassle-free hub i've used in the car since starting this hobby. You set it and it handles usb devices the same way every time. Not many usb hubs available give you that kind of reliability in the automotive environment

colin · 07-14-2009, 01:48 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Sonicxtacy02

if it were THAT simple.. there'd be someone on this board with it done already... and they'd probably be selling it as well. Having used this board for 2 weeks now i can say its easily the most hassle-free hub i've used in the car since starting this hobby. You set it and it handles usb devices the same way every time. Not many usb hubs available give you that kind of reliability in the automotive environment

I'm doing it. And a few other people already have, although with linear regulators. All we need is a simple USB hub (have it, $1.99), and a simple power converter (working on it). I am figuring out the value of the inductors and working on it. It won't look as pretty and it won't be done for a long time, but it will work very damn well.

All you need is a converter chip from somewhere like Maxim and a simple circuit. Use their calculators to determine power and it should cost you say $20 alltogether without a fancy circuit board or a case. I refuse to pay $65 extra so that some companies can profit off of a case and circuit board that nobody will ever see.

Bugbyte · 07-14-2009, 03:19 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by colin

I'm doing it. And a few other people already have, although with linear regulators. All we need is a simple USB hub (have it, $1.99), and a simple power converter (working on it). I am figuring out the value of the inductors and working on it. It won't look as pretty and it won't be done for a long time, but it will work very damn well.

All you need is a converter chip from somewhere like Maxim and a simple circuit. Use their calculators to determine power and it should cost you say $20 alltogether without a fancy circuit board or a case. I refuse to pay $65 extra so that some companies can profit off of a case and circuit board that nobody will ever see.

Sounds great! Lots of people don't know how to do this, so make sure you post up instructions and diagrams for how to do this. Will your timer be able to be set for varying values? How are you handling reverse polarity rotectipn?

justchat_1 · 07-14-2009, 03:43 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Sonicxtacy02

if it were THAT simple.. there'd be someone on this board with it done already... and they'd probably be selling it as well. Having used this board for 2 weeks now i can say its easily the most hassle-free hub i've used in the car since starting this hobby. You set it and it handles usb devices the same way every time. Not many usb hubs available give you that kind of reliability in the automotive environment

Just because no one sells it doesn't mean its not very easy to do.

I picked up one of these:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Step-Down-DC-Con...#ht_3470wt_939

and use it with a 7 port usb hub - works perfectly...grand total ~$8.

rockyct · 07-15-2009, 01:55 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by justchat_1

Just because no one sells it doesn't mean its not very easy to do.

I picked up one of these:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Step-Down-DC-Con...#ht_3470wt_939

and use it with a 7 port usb hub - works perfectly...grand total ~$8.

That link shows it for almost $15 after shipping. Am I missing something?

colin · 07-15-2009, 11:59 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by justchat_1

Just because no one sells it doesn't mean its not very easy to do.

I picked up one of these:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Step-Down-DC-Con...#ht_3470wt_939

and use it with a 7 port usb hub - works perfectly...grand total ~$8.

Oh wow, that seems a lot simpler than doing calculations and figuring out how to power the hub! Thanks!

Sonicxtacy02 · 07-15-2009, 12:52 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by justchat_1

Just because no one sells it doesn't mean its not very easy to do.

I picked up one of these:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Step-Down-DC-Con...#ht_3470wt_939

and use it with a 7 port usb hub - works perfectly...grand total ~$8.

does that guarantee you 500ma per port? Does that have startup/shutdown options? Is it guaranteed to survive crank? Is it designed to handle each usb devices event after hibernation. Hell for that matter is it all-n-one? Some of those things dont matter to people but they all are included with the carnetix device. If it WERE easy to duplicate the product wouldnt exist at its current price point. Demand will always drive a price down and the demand should be high for a device thats the first of its kind. I mean cmon anyone remember the price on the first series of lilliputs(400) and xenarcs(450+). Or how about the first DC power supplies.

colin · 07-15-2009, 02:02 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Sonicxtacy02

does that guarantee you 500ma per port? Does that have startup/shutdown options? Is it guaranteed to survive crank? Is it designed to handle each usb devices event after hibernation. Hell for that matter is it all-n-one? Some of those things dont matter to people but they all are included with the carnetix device. If it WERE easy to duplicate the product wouldnt exist at its current price point. Demand will always drive a price down and the demand should be high for a device thats the first of its kind. I mean cmon anyone remember the price on the first series of lilliputs(400) and xenarcs(450+). Or how about the first DC power supplies.

Seriously, for the price difference of $65, are those features worth it? Sure, you can buy a $2000 60" LCD that has a brilliant picture, or you can spend an extra $1000 and get one with picture-in-picture and an alarm in the morning. Far off comparison, sure, but that one was only a 50% price increase, this is from $20 (and the satisfaction of doing it yourself) and $85.

Guaranteed 500mA per port? Are you really going to use that? If so, YES. They are good up the 3A at 93% efficiency.

Startup/shutdown? Add a relay onto your PSU and yes, thats an extra dollar.

Survive crank? If crank goes less than 7v, then no. But wait, your computer power supply wont survive crank below 7v anyway! (I know it says 6v input, but thats at REALLY low power levels -- anything above 2A requires at least 7v -- same for the DC-DC converter in question).

Hibernation? Sure, use the right USB hub. I mean, the power supply is only $10, you have $10 to get a decent 4-port USB hub. I'm POSITIVE there are some out there that survive hibernation (my cheap $0.99 eBay 7-port one does).

I understand your point, but from a very electronics-oriented background, this is easily doable.

Sonicxtacy02 · 07-15-2009, 02:08 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by colin

Seriously, for the price difference of $65, are those features worth it? Sure, you can buy a $2000 60" LCD that has a brilliant picture, or you can spend an extra $1000 and get one with picture-in-picture and an alarm in the morning. Far off comparison, sure, but that one was only a 50% price increase, this is from $20 (and the satisfaction of doing it yourself) and $85.

Guaranteed 500mA per port? Are you really going to use that? If so, YES. They are good up the 3A at 93% efficiency.

Startup/shutdown? Add a relay onto your PSU and yes, thats an extra dollar.

Survive crank? If crank goes less than 7v, then no. But wait, your computer power supply wont survive crank below 7v anyway! (I know it says 6v input, but thats at REALLY low power levels -- anything above 2A requires at least 7v -- same for the DC-DC converter in question).

Hibernation? Sure, use the right USB hub. I mean, the power supply is only $10, you have $10 to get a decent 4-port USB hub. I'm POSITIVE there are some out there that survive hibernation (my cheap $0.99 eBay 7-port one does).

I understand your point, but from a very electronics-oriented background, this is easily doable.

it should be clear they arent marketing this to you if the features arent something you use. I understand that it can be done for far CHEAPER.. but its no different from people that can build there own PC for cheap versus people that buy computers.

Fiberoptic · 07-15-2009, 02:42 PM

There are some other people talking about USB hacking and cheaper hacked solutions over in this thread. I made a response in this post which might be relevant to some of your comments.

justchat_1 · 07-15-2009, 03:42 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Sonicxtacy02

it should be clear they arent marketing this to you if the features arent something you use. I understand that it can be done for far CHEAPER.. but its no different from people that can build there own PC for cheap versus people that buy computers.

If people who bought computers spent 3x as much as people who built them themselves it would be a fair argument-but thats clearly not the case.

I may be a computer engineer - but its incredibly simple for the average person to replicate every feature but the startup and shutdown controller. I can further estimate from that circuit board pic I saw in another thread that mass produced these boards cost about $30-40 each...and they charge $85!! Please try telling me how thats anything short of taking advantage of people.

Fiberoptic · 07-15-2009, 03:53 PM

We thought there might be some value in putting this all together in one package. If you are on a budget, looking for a hobby, or trying to find a use for spare parts we certainly won't be angry if you want to build your own hack or even post a diagram and parts list about how to build your own for less money. Some people might like to focus on other parts of their install and have this part done quickly and reliably. The preassembled option is there, should it fit your needs, budget, and schedule.

colin · 07-15-2009, 03:55 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by justchat_1

If people who bought computers spent 3x as much as people who built them themselves it would be a fair argument-but thats clearly not the case.

I may be a computer engineer - but its incredibly simple for the average person to replicate every feature but the startup and shutdown controller. I can further estimate from that circuit board pic I saw in another thread that mass produced these boards cost about $30-40 each...and they charge $85!! Please try telling me how thats anything short of taking advantage of people.

As much as I disagree with the price, its not taking advantage of people. It's offering convenience at a price. Some people are willing to pay that price, and that's how the company makes money. Some people (like us) are not willing to pay that price, and we are encouraged to "hack" together our own solutions. I mean, there are a lot of overhead costs: design, packaging, enclosure, testing, sales, evaluations, etc.

User Name		Remember Me?
Password