Wiring, Stereo & Electronics Audio Components | Radars | Alarms - and things that spark when they shouldn't

Hardwiring 7 Port Powered USB Hub

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-03-2017, 02:40 AM
  #1  
TECH Fanatic
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
Need4Camaro's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,597
Received 33 Likes on 29 Posts

Default Hardwiring 7 Port Powered USB Hub

So..If I'm not mistaken, USB uses 5 Volts. I have 7 ports. I need atleast 1 of those ports to power an external Hard Drive. I was "assuming" that 2.5 Amps per port would be enough, am I incorrect? Thing is, I don't know anything about electronics.. I need a way to reduce the voltage from 12 - 14 to around 5 Volts and provide around 2.5 amps per port on the HUB.. So what kind of resistor would I need?

Also..

Would it be safe to hard wire it directly the the stereo's power wires or should I make a whole new run from the battery? I only want the device on when the radio itself is on.
Old 04-03-2017, 07:56 AM
  #2  
Ungrounded Moderator
iTrader: (4)
 
WhiteBird00's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 11,131
Received 280 Likes on 243 Posts
LS1Tech 20 Year Member
Default

Your best bet is to get a 12V to 5V converter because it needs to be a regulated output not just the leftovers from using a resistor. You can get one from Amazon for about $7 that provides 3 amps at 5V output. That's very high for USB (USB data ports produce 900mA while some chargers produce 1.5A to 2.0A for rapid charging - not necessary to run a drive) but your drive will only draw what it needs so you should be okay.

You can wire it to the stereo power since the draw is so low. Still, it's a good idea to add a 1A inline fuse to the converter input.
Old 04-03-2017, 02:09 PM
  #3  
TECH Fanatic
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
Need4Camaro's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,597
Received 33 Likes on 29 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by WhiteBird00
Your best bet is to get a 12V to 5V converter because it needs to be a regulated output not just the leftovers from using a resistor. You can get one from Amazon for about $7 that provides 3 amps at 5V output. That's very high for USB (USB data ports produce 900mA while some chargers produce 1.5A to 2.0A for rapid charging - not necessary to run a drive) but your drive will only draw what it needs so you should be okay.

You can wire it to the stereo power since the draw is so low. Still, it's a good idea to add a 1A inline fuse to the converter input.
Awsome. Thanks. Oh yes btw when I wire it, I am assuming that would be the Red Wire and not the Yellow Wire right? (this is using a conversion harness for aftermarket radios as not to interfere with the factory wiring.)

Edit: Was just doing a basic search and came across this: https://www.superbrightleds.com/more...g5EaAmD78P8HAQ

Thats 10 Amps which sounds much higher than what you were suggesting. Perhaps I could use this and divide the power between two USB Hubs (I kind of need 2, one internal for my DVR system and USB modem and the other external for USB flash drives, external harddrive, ect.

Think that will work?
Old 04-03-2017, 02:14 PM
  #4  
Ungrounded Moderator
iTrader: (4)
 
WhiteBird00's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 11,131
Received 280 Likes on 243 Posts
LS1Tech 20 Year Member
Default

In the aftermarket adapter harness, red is ignition switched power and yellow is battery (constant) power. Those pass through to the factory wiring harness where yellow is ignition switched and orange is battery power.
Old 04-09-2017, 06:41 PM
  #5  
TECH Fanatic
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
Need4Camaro's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,597
Received 33 Likes on 29 Posts

Default

I have another big question.
I eventually want to add an aftermarket alarm and interior LED bars from theretrofitsource. Do you think I will need to run power from the battery for these units as well or should the existing wiring have enough in reserve to handle these units? and how would I wire them up?
Old 04-10-2017, 07:37 AM
  #6  
Ungrounded Moderator
iTrader: (4)
 
WhiteBird00's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 11,131
Received 280 Likes on 243 Posts
LS1Tech 20 Year Member
Default

Your best bet is to use the three extra power ports in the dash fuse panel provided by GM specifically for adding accessories. There's more information in this post.
Old 04-11-2017, 01:14 AM
  #7  
TECH Fanatic
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
Need4Camaro's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,597
Received 33 Likes on 29 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by WhiteBird00
Your best bet is to use the three extra power ports in the dash fuse panel provided by GM specifically for adding accessories. There's more information in this post.
Wow, thats amazing...I never knew about this...and here I thought GM didnt think outside the box...
Big question, with the factory wiring in place what is the maximum power they are able to tolerate without anything dangerous happening?
Old 04-11-2017, 09:39 AM
  #8  
Ungrounded Moderator
iTrader: (4)
 
WhiteBird00's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 11,131
Received 280 Likes on 243 Posts
LS1Tech 20 Year Member
Default

Each of the three circuits can handle 15 amps. Be sure to add an appropriate inline fuse to any wiring you connect to those ports.



Quick Reply: Hardwiring 7 Port Powered USB Hub



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:18 AM.