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geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => Topic started by: frew on Wed, 31 July 2013, 15:43:18

Title: Small USB Hub in Ergodox?
Post by: frew on Wed, 31 July 2013, 15:43:18
I have an Ergodox with palm rests and I want to add a USB expansion port (or two) on the right side.  It should be pretty easy, since I just need to splice in a USB hub.  Has anyone done something like this before? Have any notes?  I suspect I can't merely daisy chain the wire but will instead need to put the hub controller between the computer and the keyboard.  Additionally I will need to cut out some space in the third layer of plastic for the slot(s) and any advice there would be much appreciated.  Lastly, I'd appreciate if anyone could recommend a good, small USB hubs I could disassemble, or maybe a USB hub controller that I could purchase that is already easy to splice in.
Title: Re: Small USB Hub in Ergodox?
Post by: TD22057 on Wed, 31 July 2013, 18:44:42
I bought a couple of these usb splitter (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-High-Speed-USB-2-0-4-Port-HUB-Splitter-Cable-Adapter-for-Laptop-PC-Notebook/310669598417) on ebay to use.  The plastic comes apart easily and the board is a less than 1" square and not very high.  Should easily fit inside lots of cases.  The leads for the input and outputs are soldered onto pads on the board so it would be easy to change how it's connected.
Title: Re: Small USB Hub in Ergodox?
Post by: agodinhost on Wed, 31 July 2013, 20:32:29
Quote from: TD22057 on Wed, 31 July 2013, 18:44:42
I bought a couple of these usb splitter (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-High-Speed-USB-2-0-4-Port-HUB-Splitter-Cable-Adapter-for-Laptop-PC-Notebook/310669598417) on ebay to use.  The plastic comes apart easily and the board is a less than 1" square and not very high.  Should easily fit inside lots of cases.  The leads for the input and outputs are soldered onto pads on the board so it would be easy to change how it's connected.
Good suggestion.
I used a few of these without problems too.
Title: Re: Small USB Hub in Ergodox?
Post by: frew on Thu, 01 August 2013, 10:53:43
Cool.  I ordered two of the splitters.  Will post again with pics when I have it working.
Title: Re: Small USB Hub in Ergodox?
Post by: agodinhost on Fri, 02 August 2013, 08:42:03
Quote from: frew on Thu, 01 August 2013, 10:53:43
Cool.  I ordered two of the splitters.  Will post again with pics when I have it working.
You can get a few more pictures of this hub here (http://drianoxaman.blogspot.com.br/2013/03/homebrew-usb-20-header.html).
Title: Re: Small USB Hub in Ergodox?
Post by: frew on Sat, 09 November 2013, 07:59:02
Just figured I'd let you guys know, I won't be using those splitters in my keyboard.  They are pretty crufty.  When I plug something in to one of them it disconnects my keyboard and I have to unplug/replug my keyboard to get it to come back.  Very frustrating.