Building a usb/charging shelf

captmorgan

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.

Ego

USB 2.0 standards rate the maximum cable length at 5 meters (16 feet). You can purchase what are called 'active repeater cables' which claim to be able to extend distances much further. They don't always work perfectly, so I'd try to buy one that's been reviewed.

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.

captmorgan

Anywhere from about 20-25 feet but I could always build the shelf closer if needed.

I`ve come across a few wireless usb routers. How are these or should I just stick to wired?

Ego

I'd stick to wired unless a wired configuration is prohibitively difficult. Wireless is great when it works. But once in a while, no matter what you do, it just won't work reliably. So generally I pick wired configurations.

Sushisource

I would suggest building it as close as possible. Repeaters can be rather flaky.

Improvolone

I don't know if they make USB cable rated for in wall use, so you will have to run the wire through conduit to make it fire-code safe.

captmorgan

Improvolone wrote: »

I don't know if they make USB cable rated for in wall use, so you will have to run the wire through conduit to make it fire-code safe.

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.

Lucky Cynic

It may or not pique your interest, but I am currently building one of these and while I too am renovating mu computer area, you might find this also a helpful and neat idea worth having. It's the Create a Charging Station bit at the bottom. Seems like a very sound and easy thing that you might not have thought about it.

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/psst_want_hack_your_hardware_heres_how?page=0%2C4

1ddqd

My recommended setup: a USB extension cable connected to a USB hub

1) Whats the max distance I can run a usb cable

Q1: How long of a cable can I use to connect my device?
A1: In practice, the USB specification limits the length of a cable between full speed devices to 5 meters (a little under 16 feet 5 inches). For a low speed device the limit is 3 meters (9 feet 10 inches).

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

Improvolone

Lucky Cynic wrote: »

It may or not pique your interest, but I am currently building one of these and while I too am renovating mu computer area, you might find this also a helpful and neat idea worth having. It's the Create a Charging Station bit at the bottom. Seems like a very sound and easy thing that you might not have thought about it.

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/psst_want_hack_your_hardware_heres_how?page=0%2C4

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.

Storm Shadow

Here's my gadget sub-station. Basically a slick polished aluminum shelf with a 12-outlet rackmountable power center on the back. I don't have a USB hub, but run several cables back to my monitor which acts as its own power source.


The rear of the SubStation


Fully Constructed


Gadget Sub Station in Action

Improvolone

That looks alot nicer than mine. Are you running the wires inside the frame?

Storm Shadow

Improvolone wrote: »

That looks alot nicer than mine. Are you running the wires inside the frame?

Nope -- I just use little zip-ties to keep everything neat and tidy (the wires are cabled to the threaded rod posts).

Improvolone

I'm shocked that zipties made it that neat.

captmorgan

Storm Shadow wrote: »

Improvolone wrote: »

That looks alot nicer than mine. Are you running the wires inside the frame?

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. That is pretty much exactly what I wanted. Quick question is it just for charging or are you also connected to your computer so you can send files/programs to your devices?

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.

Kris

Storm Shadow, that is awesome, and makes me want to become a better handyman.

Lucky Cynic

Yeah, I might try making something like that, but in the mean time, here is the fruits of my 2 hours of dicking around with a box. It looks better in person and I aim to color in the insides black with a sharpie in a moment. If you look closely, you can see that the actual power strip itself is one of the smaller ones and doesn't generate much heat. The little black box in there is a USB hub also to power any USB devices.

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.

Improvolone

oh look

My biggest complaint with a setup like that is how easy it is for the plug to slip down into the box.

Storm Shadow

captmorgan wrote: »

Storm Shadow wrote: »

Improvolone wrote: »

That looks alot nicer than mine. Are you running the wires inside the frame?

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. That is pretty much exactly what I wanted. Quick question is it just for charging or are you also connected to your computer so you can send files/programs to your devices?

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?

Improvolone

Yes, because even if it looks slick as hell, it won't fit in with everyones decor.

Storm Shadow

Improvolone wrote: »

Yes, because even if it looks slick as hell, it won't fit in with everyones decor.

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.

captmorgan

Storm Shadow wrote: »

captmorgan wrote: »

Storm Shadow wrote: »

Improvolone wrote: »

That looks alot nicer than mine. Are you running the wires inside the frame?

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. That is pretty much exactly what I wanted. Quick question is it just for charging or are you also connected to your computer so you can send files/programs to your devices?

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?

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

LittleBoots

Improvolone wrote: »

My biggest complaint with a setup like that is how easy it is for the plug to slip down into the box.

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.

captmorgan

Improvolone wrote: »

Yes, because even if it looks slick as hell, it won't fit in with everyones decor.

Just paint it white call it I-charger or something and people would be lined up down the block lol

Improvolone

Get it sold through IKEA.
THEN you make millions.

Lucky Cynic

I'm actually planning on getting some dollar store paint brushes, cutting them, and then just using the bristles to kind of create that sort of screen across the opening you see in most other office furniture.

Hranj

I haven't read through the entire thread but what you could look into is a wall charger for a USB device. I have one at home that just plugs into the wall and has a female USB port on the front of it that you can plug (to my knowledge) any USB device and charge it. From there you have a ton of options.