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Building a usb/charging shelf
captmorgan
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Hello,
I`m in the middle of renovating my basement, and while disconnecting the giant wire monster from under my computer desk, camera cables, psp cables, ipod and so forth a thought occurred to me. Why could n`t a shelf be constructed, perhaps on the other side of the room with a usb jack built into the wall. (also add a electrical socket for additional power). Then I should be able to just plug my computer into one jack placed directly behind the computer desk. One wire no mess and I can have my devices neatly placed on a shelf.
so a few questions.
1) Whats the max distance I can run a usb cable
2) Do I need a usb hub?
3) Has anybody seen such a setup somewhere? I suck at creativity but I can generally copy anything I see.
Thank-you very much for your time.
I`m in the middle of renovating my basement, and while disconnecting the giant wire monster from under my computer desk, camera cables, psp cables, ipod and so forth a thought occurred to me. Why could n`t a shelf be constructed, perhaps on the other side of the room with a usb jack built into the wall. (also add a electrical socket for additional power). Then I should be able to just plug my computer into one jack placed directly behind the computer desk. One wire no mess and I can have my devices neatly placed on a shelf.
so a few questions.
1) Whats the max distance I can run a usb cable
2) Do I need a usb hub?
3) Has anybody seen such a setup somewhere? I suck at creativity but I can generally copy anything I see.
Thank-you very much for your time.
captmorgan on
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I would personally use a powered USB 2.0 hub (they're cheap after all) as a repeater if one would do it for you. How much distance do you need to cover?
edit: I've seen lots of charging shelves with connectors for USB devices, but I haven't yet seen a wall USB jack that connects to a charging shelf. I really like the idea.
I`ve come across a few wireless usb routers. How are these or should I just stick to wired?
Thats a good point, I`ll have to look into that one. So far in my searching I can`t seem to find any pictures or websites about installing usb ports into the walls of their home. I find this hard to believe, I must be asking Google the wrong questions.
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/psst_want_hack_your_hardware_heres_how?page=0%2C4
1) Whats the max distance I can run a usb cable
2) Do I need a usb hub?
A) I would get one, yes.
3) Has anybody seen such a setup somewhere?
A) The Maximum PC article is about as close to the setup as you'll get - good issue, worth ordering too
I'd be worried about containing all of that stuff in such a small box.
This is what I did in the keyboard tray of my desk.
I have the power strip mounted to the wall where the PC tower is supposed to go, which gives the chargers enough slack to be pulled out. I'm going to get some conduit from Home Depot soon to contain the wires more.
The rear of the SubStation
Fully Constructed
Gadget Sub Station in Action
Nope -- I just use little zip-ties to keep everything neat and tidy (the wires are cabled to the threaded rod posts).
Storm, I hate to tell you this but I`m stealing your design and if anyone asks..claiming it as my own.
Lucky, thanks for the link.
thank you all for your comments.
side note I just layed 400 square feet of hardwood floor this weekend as part of the home renovations if anyone is planning on doing the same use A pneumatic nail gun....trust me.....so much pain so many blisters.
I will sketch up designs for a shelf like that though, that is super rad and I hate cables that clog things up. I'm going to need more pictures though. :O
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/Darkest_Elite/dabox1.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/Darkest_Elite/dabox2.jpg
If someone could help with the pictures.
oh look
My biggest complaint with a setup like that is how easy it is for the plug to slip down into the box.
Everything is connected back to my computer via USB so it really acts as a nice hub.
This isn't really a design that I'm proud of anymore, but I posted it because it's do-able for people that are pretty handy and I thought that it might give some of you an idea or two.
I think that if/when I develop a commercial product for ASTRO Gaming like this it will have it's own USB hub in the back and multi-format card reader in the front. Anything else that I'm missing?
Am I crazy to think that it will sell like whoa if I made it?
I'm not a designer, I'm a developer -- it would have the same functionality (and more) and look really great instead of the over-the-edge look I'm personally fond of.
If you where to make a hallow type shelf with the inside being usb hub/electrical plugs with ports on the top and card readers on the front, not only would you have a kick ass product I would order one.
Time to break out inventor and start drawing
I've never made one of these but it looks like your problem could be solved by cutting out some foam circles for the holes, gluing them in and then cutting an X in the circle, this way its easy to pull the cords through but the foam will provide enough resistance to keep then from falling back into the box. It will also fill in the holes to give it a much cleaner look.
Tofu wrote: Here be Littleboots, destroyer of threads and master of drunkposting.
Just paint it white call it I-charger or something and people would be lined up down the block lol
THEN you make millions.