New user here. I was searching the forums for any USB hub recommendations or information on controllers and had a thought.
Most hubs have an attached usb cable for the host, and for power, sometimes a DC barrel plug. How come I haven’t seen one with one or two usb inputs, with power delivery on one of them? i’d make the cable replaceable, and I’d assume that a newer gan usb charger would be more efficient than some “wall warts”.
There are, search for usb-c hub/adapter, including Baseus WKWG030113, Unitek H1107B and many others…
There are plenty of such hubs. Amazon should give you plenty of search results. From +$100 units to cheap $30 units. Not sure how reliable they are (at any price point) since I have never used one.
Welcome to the forum!
I’m certain there are some out there, especially ones that serve as multi-purpose docks (USB Hub + Ethernet + HDMI / DP). But they will be more expensive (given that typically they are marketed as docks rather than just USB hubs) and you pay a premium for USB C (not because it’s more expensive or anything, just the perceived notion that if you have a USB C device, you typically have a Macbook or an expensive Windows laptop).
My old 7 port USB 2 hub is still going strong and I don’t need to replace either the 3.5A brick, nor the cable that is soldered on it. I wouldn’t worry about the cables too much, barrel jacks, also known as 5.5 x 2.1mm (or 5521 barrel jacks) have proven themselves to be really solid and are cheap to replace (you can still find them pretty readily available, just need to cut some wires and preferably solder them, but a good pigtail and electrical tape should do - disclosure: I’m not an electrical engineer or licensed in the domain, this is not financial advice).
Unless you have a pet that likes chewing cables, I wouldn’t worry too much. And if you do, you should get cable management plastic tubes, so they can’t chew them.
One other thing about a powered USB hub with USB-PD is that it will need to have additional electronics in it to convert power. If it requires one of the typical 9, 12, 15 or 20V PD, it will need to convert it down to 5V. If it has USB C hub ports, it might also need to add additional circuitry to have the ports also be able to provide USB PD to the devices you connect to it.
Everything other than a bare basic USB A hub points to these gadgets requiring more complex designs, making them more expensive. My old powered USB hub can probably be reversed engineered in 5 minutes after disassembly (I never looked in it, only peaked through one of the USB ports, it seems like a pretty bare PCB in it). I have non-externally powered hubs with transparent cases and one that broke the shroud in half, they are basically a PCB with a capacitor and 2 resistors or somethings, that’s how simple old hub designs were. If you open a USB C or even a USB 3.0 type A hub, you will see a lot more components on them.
Anyway, good luck finding one and excuse the rant on hubs.
I kinda forgot about these having usb C PD input. At the time, I had imagined something more dated looking that comes like a desk brick form factor, with fully pluggable cables. But I suppose there’s no actual difference aside from aesthetics.
thanks! I appreciate the info
That’s a marketing buzz word that doesn’t mean much beside some MOSFETS insde the chager using gallium. They’re not more efficient due to them, just smaller I guess and can output more power per cubic inch. The efficiency is mostly in the power factor correction. If a charger doesn’t have it is most likely gonna use the same power as every other with the same output power. Also standby power consumption plays a big role in the whole efficiency equation.
I wouldn’t worry about using a GaN charger to power a USB hub, the power involved is very low so get one with a barrel jack and don’t think about it.
The hubs some suggested have power in through USB C to power laptops so be careful if you get one of those. I got one for my laptop and they also get really hot.
I have this thing for use with my Steamdeck:
https://icybox.de/en/hubs/IB-HUB1426-CPD
Handles power delivery
It is a pick one, either more efficient or smaller. Not both (unless money is not of concern).
the OWC docks are good
This topic was automatically closed 273 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.