USB Cable Length...

[JNicho]

I need to put an EB8 and an probe module on the other side of the basement from where my current Apex is set up...it's about 30' away in terms of cable run...I know USB is limited to 5m/15ft, but I hear good things about some of the cables with built in repeaters for longer runs...anybody know if the something like this http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10303&cs_id=1030304&p_id=6149&seq=1&format=2 will work with what I want to do?

 

[kcooley]

radioshack has a few different USB extenders that you just plug your cable into. they have the repeater built in.

 

[CalmSeasQuest]

Search this forum, but I think you'll find that you should NOT use any type of repeater. The Apex has sufficient signal strength to exceed the normal USB cable length restriction without the use of any type of repeater.

 

[HeneryH]

Do NOT use a cable with a repeater. These will damage the Apex and/or cable !!!

 

[HeneryH]

I posted my previous reply quickly just to get a quick note out NOT to do this while I bang out a more detailed answer.

The Apex uses a cable that has the same physical parameters of a USB cable but does not follow the USB electrical specs. The power, for instance is different, and will NOT work when active USB devices are in-line.

I have not seen actual specs but passive cables over 100 feet have been used without problems.

 

[JNicho]

I posted my previous reply quickly just to get a quick note out NOT to do this while I bang out a more detailed answer.

The Apex uses a cable that has the same physical parameters of a USB cable but does not follow the USB electrical specs. The power, for instance is different, and will NOT work when active USB devices are in-line.

I have not seen actual specs but passive cables over 100 feet have been used without problems.

Excellent! I searched, but wasn't having any luck finding the answer. Thanks so much for the quick responses...can I just daisy chain a couple of Male A to Male B extension cables together then?

 

[aquamanic]

Keep in mind this is NOT USB! It's just using a USB cable. The Aquabus operates at 12vdc and USB at 5vdc. If you put any sort of booster or repeater on it you risk trashing your Apex and/or other modules on it.

It's been tested by Neptune up to 200' in total (all segments added together). In practice, it may go even further but you'd be on your own if you had communnications issues. Keep in mind, this is also supplying power to the modules in addition to being the communications bus.

As far as connecting them together, I personally wouldn't do that but I don't think you'll hurt anything. If you have communications issues, that would be one of the first places I would look though.

 

[doakota1]

I just recieved my cable from usb firewire, I placed the order over the phone, and told the person I needed a cable for the neptune controller. He said they do a lot of those, and he had a 25' cable in stock. I recieved a usb 2.0 A to A cable, no where on the order slip or package does it say 12vdc. Did I get the right cable?

 

[RussM]

Doakota, that cable should be fine... no worries - you won't find a voltage rating on a USB cable.

 

[gotfrogs]

My USB cable from USBfirewire has worked great.