Welcome to the new FlexRadio Community! Please review the new Community Rules and other important new Community information on the Message Board.
Need the latest SmartSDR, Power Genius, Tuner Genius and Antenna Genius Software?
SmartSDR v3.8.19 and the SmartSDR v3.8.19 Release Notes | SmartSDR v2.12.1 and the SmartSDR v2.12.1 Release Notes
SmartSDR v1.12.1 and the SmartSDR v1.12.1 Release Notes
Power Genius XL Utility v3.8.8 and the Power Genius XL Release Notes v3.8.8
Tuner Genius XL Utility v1.2.11 and the Tuner Genius XL Release Notes v1.2.11
Antenna Genius Utility v4.1.8
SmartSDR v3.8.19 and the SmartSDR v3.8.19 Release Notes | SmartSDR v2.12.1 and the SmartSDR v2.12.1 Release Notes
SmartSDR v1.12.1 and the SmartSDR v1.12.1 Release Notes
Power Genius XL Utility v3.8.8 and the Power Genius XL Release Notes v3.8.8
Tuner Genius XL Utility v1.2.11 and the Tuner Genius XL Release Notes v1.2.11
Antenna Genius Utility v4.1.8
If you are having a problem, please refer to the product documentation or check the Help Center for known solutions.
Need technical support from FlexRadio? It's as simple as Creating a HelpDesk ticket.
Need technical support from FlexRadio? It's as simple as Creating a HelpDesk ticket.
Can I use the power from the UBB port on Flex 6300
Delbert McCord
Member ✭✭
I want to power a laptop cooler from my Flex 6300
0
Answers
-
Yes. I have been using a laptop cooler powered by my 6700 USB port for several years.0
-
You can but generally you shouldn't.0
-
yea not a real good idea, better to get a POWERED USB Hub then plug the powered hub into your 6000 series and your Fan, FTDI Cables and devices into the HUB.
Bret WX7Y0 -
Thank for the input, I see 2 reply's that say I should not do it, can you tell me why? The lovely laptop cooler has the on and off switch on the back and I do not want to have to move the rig to turn it on and off. I power my Flex (and the rest of my shack for that matter except the amp that needs 220) from my solar battery bank. The bank is never switched off so I was just thinking (damgerous for me) that the fans would turn off and on with the rig. I can build a 5 volt supply from 12 volts and wire a switch but if there is not a good reason why do it. This cooler has 2 5 inch fans in it that run slow to the point that I do not hear them at all.
Please do not think I am arguing I just want to know why, the Flex 6300 has 2 USB ports and I at this time do not use either of them. Is the current draw a problem?
Thanks for your time in replying.0 -
Like Howard, I have run a laptop cooler off the USB port for quite a while with no apparent ill effects. About all I could think Bret and Ria are suggesting is that there could be a potential rig issue if there was a failure of the cooler, either through a short or transient. Of course it also does take up a port, so if you need more than one USB connection, Bret's solution is definitely the way to go.0
-
I think the concern for those who don't recommend it is the current draw from attached equipment.
.
If something were to short out, or deliver a voltage or current surge, then what would you rather repair of replace....a $20 USB hub, or a $4,000 Flex Rig?1 -
My initial concern would be electro and magnetic noise generated by the fan getting back into the radio's circuitry. In addition, Ken brings up a good point about voltage surges, which if they damage the USB port, would not be covered as a warranty repair0
-
That is my thinking as well. The last thing I want is an inductive load connected to my radio that could induce a power surge back into it. They probably have filtering up the **** but I would rather not take the chance especially when USB wall warts are a dime a dozen.
0 -
OK, thanks to everyone that took the time to reply.
DE K8OCN0 -
If designed in full accordance with the USB2 standard then the port should be current limited to either 100mA or 500mA, so should be self protecting. I have seen thousands of phyically damaged usb ports but not a single electrically dead port.2
Leave a Comment
Categories
- All Categories
- 280 Community Topics
- 2.1K New Ideas
- 522 The Flea Market
- 7.5K Software
- 6K SmartSDR for Windows
- 144 SmartSDR for Maestro and M models
- 349 SmartSDR for Mac
- 247 SmartSDR for iOS
- 228 SmartSDR CAT
- 168 DAX
- 351 SmartSDR API
- 8.7K Radios and Accessories
- 7K FLEX-6000 Signature Series
- 838 Maestro
- 43 FlexControl
- 842 FLEX Series (Legacy) Radios
- 786 Genius Products
- 413 Power Genius XL Amplifier
- 274 Tuner Genius XL
- 99 Antenna Genius
- 237 Shack Infrastructure
- 161 Networking
- 398 Remote Operation (SmartLink)
- 124 Contesting
- 617 Peripherals & Station Integration
- 122 Amateur Radio Interests
- 856 Third-Party Software