Author Topic: External mounting of USB Ports/hub (Read 1742 times)

JonnyBoy · « **on:** March 12, 2005, 05:49:12 pm »

I want to configure my control panel so it has externally mounted USB ports. I wanted to actually mount a hub on the inside of my CP to make the ports accessable on the fly incase anybody wants to stick in a gamepad, USB Wheel, etc. But I can't seem to find a way to mount the hub itself, and after consulting the bible (Project Arcade

) I saw that Happ offers USB cables that have screwholes at one end so all I'd need to do would be to make a rectangular hole and screw in the port for it to stay secure. After checking the Happs website I saw that they only offer them in six foot legnths. For my particular project I need nowhere near six foot, I mean, a few inches would suffice. I just want to mount the ports so they are accessable. What would be a good solution? I looked through radio shack and they have nothing as convenient as the cables with the screw holes that Happs offers, and I need the ports to be as secure as possible. If you guys have any ideas I'd appreciate them greatly. Thanks for the help!

Flinkly · « **Reply #1 on:** March 12, 2005, 07:00:34 pm »

well, you could go to a computer parts store, something more than radio shack, and find some usb port stuff for computers...like the usb ports on the front of desktop computers nowaday's, or you could probably find something at mouser, where most BYOACers shop for in depth electronics stuff, or if your ok with buying the happs stuff for cheaper, send a pm to ponyboy with the part number.

rdagger · « **Reply #2 on:** March 12, 2005, 07:21:35 pm »

Here is what you want.

krick · « **Reply #3 on:** March 12, 2005, 08:25:23 pm »

This place has USB face plates and cables.

markrvp · « **Reply #4 on:** March 12, 2005, 08:29:32 pm »

I would order from Data Pro instead of Happ (I have done both). The cables from Data Pro have little nuts inside of the screw holes and include the screws to mount it to the plate. The cables from Happ do not have threaded holes and do not include the screws.

Tahnok · « **Reply #5 on:** March 12, 2005, 09:34:51 pm »

Funny you should mention such a thing, I was planning on that for my new CP as well and was actually going to post a thread like this. Thanks for the information.

Sprucemoose · « **Reply #6 on:** March 13, 2005, 12:24:02 pm »

I was thinking of putting this on the front of my cab aslo. Here is a link to one with volume control, usb, headphones, firewire

http://us.st7.yimg.com/store1.yimg.com/I/directron_1832_15672257

cholin · « **Reply #7 on:** March 13, 2005, 12:46:32 pm »

Ahh so you just want to throw a drive bay in there with all those functions. Im the kind of guy who would rather cut some holes and route them inward so you have a small indent and a USB hub behind it that's been opened up and screwed around with. Im the modding type of guy I guess

JonnyBoy · « **Reply #8 on:** March 13, 2005, 01:06:41 pm »

Yeah, considering my project is a portable arcade unit (computer inside of the CP so that it can be taken anywhere and plugged into any TV) I found something that basically does everything I need...and then some. It's a nine in one bay unit that has S-Vid, composite vid, composite audio, mic outs, 3 USB ports, 2 firewire, temperature monitoring, etc. etc.

I emailed the company to see if they offer it in black or are considering it. Here's a link:

http://www.koutech.com/proddetail.asp?linenumber=205#

Tahnok · « **Reply #9 on:** March 13, 2005, 05:27:23 pm »

Quote from: JonnyBoy on March 13, 2005, 01:06:41 pm

Yeah, considering my project is a portable arcade unit (computer inside of the CP so that it can be taken anywhere and plugged into any TV) I found something that basically does everything I need...and then some. It's a nine in one bay unit that has S-Vid, composite vid, composite audio, mic outs, 3 USB ports, 2 firewire, temperature monitoring, etc. etc.

I emailed the company to see if they offer it in black or are considering it. Here's a link:

http://www.koutech.com/proddetail.asp?linenumber=205#

C64

? You may want to consider things like PS/2 ports and such then. USB keyboards and mice can be hard to find at someone

JonnyBoy · « **Reply #10 on:** March 13, 2005, 05:38:03 pm »

Yes, but PS2 to USB converters.

Flinkly · « **Reply #11 on:** March 13, 2005, 06:44:47 pm »

um, the page you listed says they are available in black...look under order number. you guys really need to start reading more.

JonnyBoy · « **Reply #12 on:** March 13, 2005, 07:17:41 pm »

I noticed they are available in black now, but I can't find anybody that actually carries them in black.

jcrouse · « **Reply #13 on:** March 14, 2005, 08:15:19 am »

I always put an I/O panel on the rear of my cabinets so I don't have to get inside to hook up devices. Mine usually include a volume control for treble, a volume control for bass, a USB port or two, two PS/2 ports an ethernet port and a power entry module. You can see some pictures here:

http://home.comcast.net/~cpviewer/pics.htm

If you need better pics just let me know. I just got a new (better) digital camera.

Enjoy,
John

*** Edit ***

Picture Added

*** End Edit ***

cholin · « **Reply #14 on:** March 14, 2005, 10:29:49 am »

Hey, Ive been looking for one of those! Where did you get your IO module or did you make it yourself? What did you use for the PS2 ports? A PS2 extension cable? Looks very well done.

jcrouse · « **Reply #15 on:** March 14, 2005, 10:53:47 am »

Thanks, I made it myself. I got the PS/2 and USB ports from www.cyberguys.com . I cut the ends off of them and then hack in an extension cable and plug them into the mobo. The ethernet port is just a decora wall plate cut down with holes for mounting. The power entry module is from www.mouser.com. The small buttons are ms. pacman player start buttons (one for on/off and one for insert coin if needed). The L-Pads for volume control come from www.valcoelectronics.com .

Enjoy,
John

lokki · « **Reply #16 on:** March 14, 2005, 01:02:46 pm »

Quote from: Sprucemoose on March 13, 2005, 12:24:02 pm

I was thinking of putting this on the front of my cab aslo.

jcrouse · « **Reply #17 on:** March 14, 2005, 01:16:57 pm »

Based on the link I would say directron, http://www.directron.com/

John

Chris · « **Reply #18 on:** March 15, 2005, 12:01:29 am »

I just cut a hole under the control panel overhang the same size as a USB hub. I mounted it with a strip of scrap metal bent to form a bracket that is screwed into the sides of the hub and into the wood. (Had to open the hub first to make sure the screw holes weren't near anything delicate, of course.) I spray-painted the shell of the hub black to match the cab.

The port to the right in this pic looks like a network port, but it's actually where I plug in one of my Act-Labs guns.

(Wow, pics up this close with flash on show every little flaw in the paint job.. yeek.)

mahuti · « **Reply #19 on:** March 15, 2005, 01:28:17 am »

That's what I was thinking about doing to my Defender cab.

SirPoonga · « **Reply #20 on:** March 15, 2005, 11:10:54 am »

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/SirPoonga/cabinet/y_cab10.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/SirPoonga/cabinet/y_cab16.jpg

For the part mounted on the plexi, that's just the USB ports stolen from one of those header extensions. You know those motherboards that have USB headers and the ports take up an expansion slot. I mounted them directly to the plexi. Then spliced that into a normal usb cable which is plugged into the hub on the inside of the cabinet.


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