Quote from: mikejones on January 26, 2014, 09:11:39 AM

What are some pointers on the USB powered hub?

Don't buy a cheap one. My first was a Inland for $17.95 from Microcenter. Came with a 2000ma power supply.

A few things I didn't realize:

1) If plugged into external power, the USB port power is disabled - makes sense or you could fry your motherboard port if the external power supply went zonkers.

2) Basic math: 2W/5V = 0.4 amps, 400ma, so running 5 in the above hub would max it out - and that happens when running at stock speed

3) Nobody wants to run at stock speed. Not sure of the power draw running at 2Gh vs. 1.6Gh, but it is at least linear, so 400ma would become 500ma, and its probably not linear. Thus (5) running on a 2000ma power supply would overload it. Also 500ma is the spec limit for USB 2.0. Doing this fried the cheap power supply that came with my Inland after an hour or so. Have to give it credit that it lasted that long!

This unit, at $59.99 from Amazon, is recommended by many: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005NGQWL2/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

My current thinking (pun intended) is to just use the USB hub for communication, and to rig external power to the ports, probably with a nice little capacitor soldered in near the connector for filtering and stabilization. In fact, I just found some 9" USB extension cables on e-bay that look perfect - clear plastic jacket that should be removable exposing the wiring right at the connector...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/150660228896?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

BTW - I'm told the red wire is the +5V power one. That said, its definitely the outer two pins, so just check it with a voltmeter before cutting!