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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
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Yes. I have been using a laptop cooler powered by my 6700 USB port for several years.0
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You can but generally you shouldn't.0
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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
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I think the concern for those who don't recommend it is the current draw from attached equipment.
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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
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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
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