Multiple USB cables and multiple USB ports when using DSUSB?

[WillyK]

Folks,

 

Played with the BETA version of BackyardNIKON and was very happy with the result.  Will be ordering shortly.

 

Since my D7000 doesn't support BULB in tethered mode, I've ordered a DSUSB unit from Shoestring Astronomy.

 

Am I correct in my understanding that something like the DSUSB unit plugs into the accessory terminal port on the D7000 and only really functions to deliver commands to the camera to control the shutter.  Hence I still need to connect to the USB port on the camera for all the other functions that BackyardNikon delivers?  (i.e. LiveView, download to camera, etc.)

 

In other words, I need to work with two USB ports on my laptop and be running two cables to the camera, correct?

 

... Bill

[admin]

Thanks Guy, Milky...

 

The thought of putting a powered USB hub near the scope was one approach I never thought of.

 

It certainly has benefits as I see it (anyone correct me if I am wrong); as Milky pointed out a single USB port usage on the laptop, single cable run from laptop to equipment and a powered hub will supply power to other peripherals at scope once I get to that level.

 

My local computer shop of choice is offering up the following powered USB hub (here's the link from the mfg web site)

http://ca.startech.com/Cards-Adapters/USB-2/Hub/Mountable-4-Port-Rugged-Industrial-USB-Hub~ST4200USBM

 

Is this the general idea?  This hub is a little more pricey than typical hubs, though the MSRP price is way above what it appears to be selling for online.

 

What I like about it is that it supports external power connector from DC power via the 3-wire terminal block connector.  And taking input anywhere from 7-24V I can just run power in from my 12V field power supply battery.

 

Quick question though, why a "3 wire" terminal block connector?  Don't I just need to plug in from my 12V source the +ve and -ve?

 

... Bill

 

That is actually a really, really good hub.  It is of industrial quality.  Top notch.

 

Regards,

[s3igell]

I would agree that it is Industrial Quality.

But it is Overkill!!  Both in terms of Bulk and Price.

 

If I had to select from that Vendor:  4 Port USB2 Hub

 

But I'd recommend shopping Amazon or NewEgg, and looking at the Anker lineup

 

I've had great success with this Anker 4-Port USB3 Hub, which can be either Wall-powered or 12v.  I've used it with 2x AutoGuiders AND 2x Canon DSLR simultaneously (and driven all with BYE!).

It is Pricier than most...  And I do have to Tape-Over the Blindingly-Bright Blue LEDs...  But...

 

There are numerous "5v Powered Hubs" - most of them these days intended to be used as much as "Phone/Tablet Chargers" as USB Hubs. But there are rather few of the "12v Powered Hubs" that make it easy to be powered from a Field Battery.

That was a REQUIREMENT for me, as I often Image about 150ft to 15miles from the nearest Wall Plug.

[WillyK]

Thanks Milky,

 

I did pick up the StarTech unit for about 1/2 the MSRP, so the price wasn't too painful.  There are certainly cheaper 4-port hubs out there, but like yourself, it is for field use and powering from 12V is needed.

 

But I'll certainly look at the Anker products and may return the StarTech unit.  Anker is not as widely carried up here in Canada; while Amazon and Staples in the US carry it, not so in Canada.  But I'll continue to look.

 

My original question had to do with wiring up the 3-terminal block with the 2 wires from a battery source.  My guess is because the case is metal, the 3rd connection would be for wiring up an earth ground if the box ever somehow shorted and it kept the metal case from being live.  But that's just conjecture on my part.  I'll have to pull  my multimeter out and see if the two ground contacts are connected on the same circuit (so to speak) or if one of the ground connections and the metal case itself are connected.

 

If anyone has thoughts on this I'd be most appreciative.

 

... Bill

[s3igell]

The Item's support page includes a PDF Manual that includes a better picture of the Power Connections.

 

It shows a +7-24v connection and 2x tied-grounds.

[Jim]

s3igell,

 

It looks like the Anker AH111 (the one in your link) has been superseded by the model below in the UK.

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/SuperSpeed-Charger-Transfer-Including-Adapter-Black/dp/B00KGU2SMC/

 

The AH111 is now only on offer for £140, whereas the new one is only £40, silly price is normally a sign that an item has been replaced or is really out of stock.

 

In the past there has been some discussion about controlling mounts, imaging and guide cameras, etc. from USB 3.0 ports (though I haven't had any problems). I currently run my QHY5-II on its own USB connection (USB3.0) back to a USB 3 port on my laptop and my imaging camera (EOS650D) and mount (iOptron iEQ-45) from a 12VDC powered USB 2 hub at the mount connected back to a USB 2 port on my laptop. All over 5m active USB 2/3 (one of each) extender leads, I have had no issues with this arrangement, just having to run out 2 x cables every time I use my scope.

 

In your answer you indicate that you are running 2 x guide cameras plus 2 x imaging cameras, presumably over a USB 3.0 active extension cable to your laptop? 

 

Whilst I accept there are no guarantees, from your experience in using the hub you have would you expect I could run my 2 x cameras and mount from a single powered USB 3 hub of this type?

 

In the past when I tried running it all via the powered USB 2 hub and active extender cable it was quite flaky and I would never know whether one or other camera would disconnect half way through an imaging session.

 

Given the greater power capability and 10 x bandwidth available from the USB 3 hubs I would hope it could provide for all my devices, any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

Regards

 

Jim

[s3igell]

1) It is a bit of shame that whomever is offering up the Anker AH111 Hub on Amazon.co.uk (not Amazon - per "available from these sellers") is asking a rather outrageous price.  Of the 3 suggested Anker USB3 Hubs on the Amazon Listing Page, I'd actually consider the 3rd listed item - "Anker® Uspeed USB 3.0 7-Port Hub with 36W Power Adapter and 3ft USB 3.0 Cable [VIA VL812 Chipset] by Uspeed £31.99".  This is mainly because it uses the VL812 Chip which I've used successfully, and because it isn't being marketed as a "Charging Station".  The one that you have referenced is quite similar if maybe a slightly newer design - smaller Blue LEDs and BC1.2 Spec - but uses a slightly different VL811 Chip (still of a high quality line - but no personal experience).

 

2) My experience being able to leverage a single USB3 Hub (a specific model AH111 - connected via a short 1m USB3 Cable to a USB3 Laptop Port) to run a "busy" 2x Guide Camera plus 2x Imaging Camera configuration using individual 5m USB2 cables from Hub to Devices without "noticeable" USB Bus Contention may be a consequence of the compatibility of the Laptop and Hub Chipsets and Drivers.  It may also be helped by the lack of any USB Extenders or Active Cables - each of which would include its own "Chip" (and power requirements and compatibility issues) - in my configuration.  It may also be attributable to the Orion SSAG Guide Cameras - their moderate Data Rate and rather Mature Drivers - as well as the same for the Canon 550D and 60D DSLRs, and even my use of Win7 Pro on an ASUS Laptop.

 

3) Of the differences between the USB2 and USB3 Specs, the Higher Bandwidth obviously plays a role in eliminating the likelihood of USB Bus Contention when multiple Higher Data Rate devices are simultaneously active, but the Higher Current Spec should play only a lesser role.  While I am using SSAGs which are Bus Powered, they are neither such High Draw or supportive of Newer USB Power Management Specs that this should make any difference.

[Jim]

Thanks S3igell for your response.

 

I may buy one and give it a try, if I do I will let the group know if it was successful.

 

Jim

[admin]

Yes, this is 100% correct.

 

You need both cables.

 

Regards,

[s3igell]

The DSUSB unit works rather well through a USB2 Hub, so it is not necessary to occupy 2 USB Ports at the Laptop if one places a USB2 Hub nearer the Scope.  The Hub will also be a benefit if you run a USB-to-Mount connection and/or USB Guider Camera.

Make sure that the USB2 Hub is a Powered Hub if you intend on adding most any Guider Camera to the mix, as most such Cameras are Bus-powered and rather Power-demanding.  But, this will benefit the Battery longevity of the Laptop, as it would no longer be powering both the Laptop and the Guider Camera.  A Quality Powered USB2 Hub also has a tendency to help with any USB Connectivity Issues caused due to longer or lower-quality USB2 Cables run between Laptop and Scope.

[WillyK]

Thanks Guy, Milky...

 

The thought of putting a powered USB hub near the scope was one approach I never thought of.

 

It certainly has benefits as I see it (anyone correct me if I am wrong); as Milky pointed out a single USB port usage on the laptop, single cable run from laptop to equipment and a powered hub will supply power to other peripherals at scope once I get to that level.

 

My local computer shop of choice is offering up the following powered USB hub (here's the link from the mfg web site)

http://ca.startech.com/Cards-Adapters/USB-2/Hub/Mountable-4-Port-Rugged-Industrial-USB-Hub~ST4200USBM

 

Is this the general idea?  This hub is a little more pricey than typical hubs, though the MSRP price is way above what it appears to be selling for online.

 

What I like about it is that it supports external power connector from DC power via the 3-wire terminal block connector.  And taking input anywhere from 7-24V I can just run power in from my 12V field power supply battery.

 

Quick question though, why a "3 wire" terminal block connector?  Don't I just need to plug in from my 12V source the +ve and -ve?

 

... Bill