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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Dazz on January 26, 2010, 03:44:04 am

Title: Anyone have a source for external USB ports that can be mounted in a cabinet?
Post by: Dazz on January 26, 2010, 03:44:04 am
Would anyone happen to have a source that sells external USB ports?  I'm looking for something that can be mounted on the under side of a control panel or somewhere that would allow easy access.  I have controllers for various game systems that my kids like to use on my cabinet.  I'd like for them to just be able to plug in the control and then play without having to open the control panel to access the internal USB powered hub.  I've tried searching Google for them, but I guess I'm not using the right terms as nothing very useful is returning. :(  

I have come across some rack mount usb ports, but these are industrial and cost about $80 for 10 ports.

Any suggestions?
Title: Re: Anyone have a source for external USB ports that can be mounted in a cabinet?
Post by: JustMichael on January 26, 2010, 03:52:37 am
Have you tried searching for "usb panel mount"?  There several options out there but I have not used any so can't recommend any.
Title: Re: Anyone have a source for external USB ports that can be mounted in a cabinet?
Post by: Dazz on January 26, 2010, 04:04:27 am
Thank you.  Panel Mount seems to give me more options than I was getting before.  This is a nice start.
Title: Re: Anyone have a source for external USB ports that can be mounted in a cabinet?
Post by: surface tension on January 26, 2010, 04:22:59 am
I use these...

http://www.datapro.net/products/usb-panel-mount-type-a-cable.html (http://www.datapro.net/products/usb-panel-mount-type-a-cable.html)

I feed them from the computer, to an I/O panel on the underside.
Title: Re: Anyone have a source for external USB ports that can be mounted in a cabinet?
Post by: Franco B on January 26, 2010, 05:43:41 am
There is also this type:

(http://www.maplin.co.uk/images/300/n57fl.jpg)

You do need A>B USB cables to go with them though.

They are manufactured by [Neutrik (http://www.neutrik.com/fl/en/misc/210_1813355276/NAUSB_detail.aspx)] and are avaliable from [Maplin (http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=219901&criteria=usb%20socket&doy=23m1)] in the UK and [Markertek (http://www.markertek.com/SearchProduct.asp?item=NAUSB&off=2&sort=prod&skuonly=0&search=panel+mount+usb&pagesize=20)] in the US amongst other places.

The links should take you directly to the products.
Title: Re: Anyone have a source for external USB ports that can be mounted in a cabinet?
Post by: Todd H on January 26, 2010, 07:58:46 am
Here's what I use.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=103&cp_id=10307&cs_id=1030701&p_id=226&seq=1&format=2 (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=103&cp_id=10307&cs_id=1030701&p_id=226&seq=1&format=2)

I have it mounted underneath my control panel out of sight. I use it to connect gamepads and a keyboard when needed.
Title: Re: Anyone have a source for external USB ports that can be mounted in a cabinet?
Post by: drventure on January 26, 2010, 08:02:13 am
I used plain old usb extension cables from fry's (.99$ each), drilled a hole, chiseled it square and then just glued the plug in place flush with the surface. Cheap and it looks fine.

But I do like those Nuetrik panel mount plugs!
Title: Re: Anyone have a source for external USB ports that can be mounted in a cabinet?
Post by: bkenobi on January 26, 2010, 11:16:13 am
Don't forget FrontX.

http://www.frontx.com (http://www.frontx.com)
Title: Re: Anyone have a source for external USB ports that can be mounted in a cabinet?
Post by: ahofle on January 26, 2010, 01:02:37 pm
There is also this type:

(http://www.maplin.co.uk/images/300/n57fl.jpg)

You do need A>B USB cables to go with them though.

I have those mounted in front too.  Easy to install (just drill a hole) and works great for quickly attaching gamepads, etc.  They also have black ones which look much better and don't stick out as much.
Title: Re: Anyone have a source for external USB ports that can be mounted in a cabinet?
Post by: Dazz on January 26, 2010, 01:10:34 pm
There is also this type:

(http://www.maplin.co.uk/images/300/n57fl.jpg)

You do need A>B USB cables to go with them though.

They are manufactured by [Neutrik (http://www.neutrik.com/fl/en/misc/210_1813355276/NAUSB_detail.aspx)] and are avaliable from [Maplin (http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=219901&criteria=usb%20socket&doy=23m1)] in the UK and [Markertek (http://www.markertek.com/SearchProduct.asp?item=NAUSB&off=2&sort=prod&skuonly=0&search=panel+mount+usb&pagesize=20)] in the US amongst other places.

The links should take you directly to the products.
I really like these, but they are A > B genderchangers.  Do they not have A > A like this?
Title: Re: Anyone have a source for external USB ports that can be mounted in a cabinet?
Post by: markronz on January 26, 2010, 01:12:36 pm
I use these:

https://www.alliedelec.com/search/productdetail.aspx?SKU=5140162 (https://www.alliedelec.com/search/productdetail.aspx?SKU=5140162)

I think they have all black ones on the site too.   Mine's hidden on the bottom of the cp box.
Title: Re: Anyone have a source for external USB ports that can be mounted in a cabinet?
Post by: ahofle on January 26, 2010, 01:14:41 pm
I really like these, but they are A > B genderchangers.  Do they not have A > A like this?

Not that I know of.  I usually have several of those A->B type cables lying around unused though so it wasn't an issue:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=103&cp_id=10303&cs_id=1030301&p_id=5436&seq=1&format=2 (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=103&cp_id=10303&cs_id=1030301&p_id=5436&seq=1&format=2)
Title: Re: Anyone have a source for external USB ports that can be mounted in a cabinet?
Post by: northerngames on January 26, 2010, 01:42:08 pm
There is also this type:

(http://www.maplin.co.uk/images/300/n57fl.jpg)

You do need A>B USB cables to go with them though.

I have those mounted in front too.  Easy to install (just drill a hole) and works great for quickly attaching gamepads, etc.  They also have black ones which look much better and don't stick out as much.

I also use these but the black one's on my cab's their a bit overpriced after shipping cost if their the only thing your ordering but they are nice looking and easy to mount/use  :P
Title: Re: Anyone have a source for external USB ports that can be mounted in a cabinet?
Post by: Franco B on January 27, 2010, 01:22:10 am
There is also this type:

(http://www.maplin.co.uk/images/300/n57fl.jpg)

You do need A>B USB cables to go with them though.

I have those mounted in front too.  Easy to install (just drill a hole) and works great for quickly attaching gamepads, etc.  They also have black ones which look much better and don't stick out as much.

I quite like the silver ones personally  :P

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v325/Francoberasi/IOpanelally.jpg)

Now I thought this was a great idea of Nacimrocs  :)

I'm going to use a Push button to hide my usb port! I'm not planning on putting ports switches etc anywhere on my cab so thought this would be handy! Might inspire someone!

(http://nacimroc.com/files/SL270981.JPG)

(http://nacimroc.com/files/SL270978.JPG)

(http://nacimroc.com/files/SL270979.JPG)

(http://nacimroc.com/files/SL270980.JPG)

Hell, you don't even need the Neutrik port, you could just mount a USB coupler or a USB extension in a button.
Title: Re: Anyone have a source for external USB ports that can be mounted in a cabinet?
Post by: shateredsoul on January 28, 2010, 07:14:57 pm
Here's what I use.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=103&cp_id=10307&cs_id=1030701&p_id=226&seq=1&format=2 (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=103&cp_id=10307&cs_id=1030701&p_id=226&seq=1&format=2)

I have it mounted underneath my control panel out of sight. I use it to connect gamepads and a keyboard when needed.

I love monoprice! Great products
Title: Re: Anyone have a source for external USB ports that can be mounted in a cabinet?
Post by: GregorDV on January 29, 2010, 11:31:51 pm
I got mine from Lizard Lick along with some other cab parts:
http://www.lizardlick.com/pages/boards.shtml (http://www.lizardlick.com/pages/boards.shtml)

Good service, reasonable shipping, and caters to the community.
Title: Re: Anyone have a source for external USB ports that can be mounted in a cabinet?
Post by: mlalena on January 30, 2010, 09:05:15 am
This should work:
http://www.geek.com/articles/gadgets/80-port-usb-charger-on-the-verge-of-overdoing-things-20100129/ (http://www.geek.com/articles/gadgets/80-port-usb-charger-on-the-verge-of-overdoing-things-20100129/)
(http://www.geek.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/thankoUSB80-580x290.jpg)
Title: Re: Anyone have a source for external USB ports that can be mounted in a cabinet?
Post by: Dazz on January 30, 2010, 01:46:04 pm
This should work:
http://www.geek.com/articles/gadgets/80-port-usb-charger-on-the-verge-of-overdoing-things-20100129/ (http://www.geek.com/articles/gadgets/80-port-usb-charger-on-the-verge-of-overdoing-things-20100129/)
(http://www.geek.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/thankoUSB80-580x290.jpg)
lol, too bad that's just a charger and not a hub....  I could probably use it if it were a hub.
Title: Re: Anyone have a source for external USB ports that can be mounted in a cabinet?
Post by: u_rebelscum on February 01, 2010, 01:05:17 pm
lol, too bad that's just a charger and not a hub....  I could probably use it if it were a hub.

There is the 49 port hub (http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/05/28/49-port-usb-hub-is-just-plain-practical/).
Title: Re: Anyone have a source for external USB ports that can be mounted in a cabinet?
Post by: draculawithglasses on February 01, 2010, 02:18:54 pm
Awww man  :hissy:, I wish I had found the silver one port USB like above about a month ago. What I ended up using was a grommet usb hub like this:

http://rekkerd.org/usb-goodies-for-your-desk-grommet-hole/ (http://rekkerd.org/usb-goodies-for-your-desk-grommet-hole/) (The hub on the right side)

Doesn't look too bad, but I don't need all the ports. I may be filling some holes this weekend and have a second take at it. Mounting them in a button is a very good idea too. Thanks for posting this.
Title: Re: Anyone have a source for external USB ports that can be mounted in a cabinet
Post by: mh12 on February 01, 2010, 03:30:19 pm
some sleek stuff here!

i just use USB extension cables with the ends superglued (candy cab--plastic) into the first coin return (only have one working coin mech, which is on the second one).
Title: Re: Anyone have a source for external USB ports that can be mounted in a cabinet?
Post by: DJ_Izumi on February 01, 2010, 03:40:44 pm
Having some USB ports externally seems a lot more practical than say, a big ol keyboard tray or something hidden away.  Instead you can just plug in the keyboard and mouse when you need it and keep them in a closet otherwise.  You could use it as a data port to add more games, add extra secondary controllers like if you want to add a racing wheel or or just jack in an analog gamepad when your control panel just won't cut it for one game.