DIY USB cables

[Hawkdl2]

It was pretty easy to make the cables for my home ethernet network and with several hundred feet of leftover Cat5 I figured I would make my own long USB cables for my controller and remote water change station, but I can't find anything about DIY USB cables. Is this not possible or practical to do?

 

[troylee]

there cheap enough to buy dunno.....

 

[Skeptic_07]

I don't think its worth your time.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10303

Side note: that place is the best for HDMI cable.

 

[cdness]

yeah monoprice.com is super cheap. Why bother with a DIY USB cable...

 

[BeanAnimal]

It is not at all worth the time to DIY a USB cable even if you could fidn the blank headshells for both sides.

 

[Hawkdl2]

It's not about price it's about application. I need to feed it through a long narrow conduit where the wire will fit but the connector will not.

Anyone know if it's possible to make your own?

 

[goofyreefer]

I wonder if you used this.

http://cgi.ebay.com/4X-USB-A-Female...in_0?hash=item43992bae4f&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

in conjunction with a RJ45 coupler and putting your own RJ45 connector on the cat 5 you have would work?

May look a kinda crappy with all the adapters but you could probably do it. I also THINK you may be limited on the length of the USB cable to work properly. Not totally sure on that but I thought I read that somewhere.

 

[uncleof6]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15445954#post15445954 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by goofyreefer
I wonder if you used this.

http://cgi.ebay.com/4X-USB-A-Female...in_0?hash=item43992bae4f&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

in conjunction with a RJ45 coupler and putting your own RJ45 connector on the cat 5 you have would work?

May look a kinda crappy with all the adapters but you could probably do it. I also THINK you may be limited on the length of the USB cable to work properly. Not totally sure on that but I thought I read that somewhere.

It depends on whether or not the device connected gets its power through the USB cable. (such as a scanner for instance) for a longer run, a powered USB hub would be required, along the line. I am with bean on this, it just is not worth it to DIY them, and since the connector shells are not out there, you can't. The RJ45 adapter looks interesting, as long as the device does not require power from the PC (or "Mother" device) through the cable.

Jim

 

[BeanAnimal]

The spec limits cable length to 5 meters (about 16 feet). At length longer than that, timing issues come into play and a reapeter is needed. DIY usb cables are just not worth the trouble

 

[uncleof6]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15446068#post15446068 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BeanAnimal
The spec limits cable length to 5 meters (about 16 feet). At length longer than that, timing issues come into play and a reapeter is needed. DIY usb cables are just not worth the trouble

Ok so that side of my brain does not work sometimes........or sometimes the other side don't work... one of these days, both sides won't work.........

 

[Hawkdl2]

It's to connect a remote EB8 to an Apex base unit. Approximately 75 feet. I don't think it's powered - if is it I'm sunk.

I get the feeling it's not possible, or practical, to build my own. I've searched everywhere for the tool or guides, etc. and found nothing. If you guys don't know how to do it then I give up. I'll most likely have to install a larger conduit than I had planned. Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[uncleof6]

Don't forget the repeaters (multiple) as Bean pointed out...... hummm, not doing so good today... run with it Bean

J

 

[OpCode1300]

monoprice.com or firefold.com

 

[Flybynight]

Sorry to highjack the thread but which would be the BEST USB 2.0 A Male to B Male that i can buy? I have a vinyl plotter and i need to upgrade to a better 3 foot cable. Thanks!!

 

[Hawkdl2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15446171#post15446171 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by uncleof6
Don't forget the repeaters (multiple) as Bean pointed out...... hummm, not doing so good today... run with it Bean

J

I'm pretty sure the repeaters are only needed for powered devices. Thanks all for the links.

 

[OpCode1300]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15446259#post15446259 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Flybynight
Sorry to highjack the thread but which would be the BEST USB 2.0 A Male to B Male that i can buy? I have a vinyl plotter and i need to upgrade to a better 3 foot cable. Thanks!!

look for something with a ferrite core on one or both [best IMO] ends.

try and get a cable the correct length[no loops] and try and have any other cables cross at 90*

 

[Flybynight]

ty for the info!!

 

[BeanAnimal]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15447103#post15447103 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Hawkdl2
I'm pretty sure the repeaters are only needed for powered devices. Thanks all for the links.

All USB devices are "powered". They can derive power from the USB cable (BUS powered) or via their own power supply. The USB spec and cable length limit the amount of BUS power available to devices on the BUS. The longer the BUS, the less the available power (straight OHM'S Law).

So BUS or SELF powered:
You need a repeater (hub) every 5 meters, up to 25 meters (5 hops). At distances over 25 meters, you need to use a different protocol.

 

[schudini]

Anyway to go wireless? (USB network adapter or the like)

 

[BeanAnimal]

There is a wireless USB protocol, called WUSB but it not well implemented and has not found mainstream acceptance yet.

In theory you can plug wired USB devices into a WUSB (wireless) hub that communicates with the PC or another hub via UWB (ultra Wide Band) radio via the WUSB protocol.