Questions about USB

[Anoroc]

I'm currently working on a project that requires the need of two USB ports at the same time. I've found some off the shelf 4 port hubs that are ok; But I'm trying to keep cost down, since I want to produce a bunch of these things. Has anyone created a "2 port hub" before? Is this something that might be easy to produce?

[Soeren]

I'm currently working on a project that requires the need of two USB ports at the same time. I've found some off the shelf 4 port hubs that are ok; But I'm trying to keep cost down, since I want to produce a bunch of these things. Has anyone created a "2 port hub" before? Is this something that might be easy to produce?

It will cost you way more than getting a cheap 4 port hub from a dime store, but here is one of those you could have found in a couple of minutes - had you cared to Google it.

[Anoroc]

I actually did google and find that very same link. My strengths are in parts fabrication, (I fail when it comes to any real electronics). Please don't confuse my ignorance with laziness. I was more or less curious if there might have been an alternative to using a 4 port hub.

I'm also working with a small space (physical size of unit is around 3.5" x 3.5"). Most 4 port hubs are larger than that.

[klims]

What about hacking up something like this?
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/cute-colorful-high-speed-4-port-usb-2-0-hub-48555

Colours are gross but I plan on gutting mine when it finally comes in.

[Anoroc]

Oh perfect! Thanks for the linkage. Very inexpensive, and compact.

[Soeren]

Yep, they're sure both cheap and small and what's even nicer about it is, that at that price, you wont cry over making it a 2 port hub the hard way *snip snip* 

All of my (4 to 7 ports) hubs (except one very old model) are much less than 3.5" though and laptop hubs in general are not much larger than the connectors and a few mm of casing.

[Anoroc]

LOL yeah, at less than 5 bucks, I'm not gonna cry over two missing ports I only want 2 available so not to draw too much power off the USB port.

[klims]

Glad I could help. DealExtreme are awesome for stuff like that. You might need to flick through 30 or 40 pages worth of rubbish before you find what you want, but it's usually there 

[Soeren]

Glad I could help. DealExtreme are awesome for stuff like that. You might need to flick through 30 or 40 pages worth of rubbish before you find what you want, but it's usually there 

Absolutely, but it may take a while to get to you... My GF ordered a lot of stuff late October (2010) and it has been dripping in here and there and the remainder of the order (I think) that she had given up on arrived last week!
Thats a solid 5 months to fill an order.
In all fairness, they usually only take 1 to 2 months, but order soon, or you may be a senior citizen by the time the goodies arrive.

[Anoroc]

yeah... that doesn't work for me, at all. I've been searching for a US distributor, but everything here is around 3x the cost...  I read through a tutorial that CLAIMED you could create a USB Y cable (Unsuccessful). The cable "works" but only one USB port at a time. I was quite disappointed.

Back to the drawing board. I can't deal with a supplier that's going to take more than a month to get me parts.

[klims]

I ordered mine on the 26/03 and it arrived on the 08/04

It really depends on if they have stock. You can USUALLY see how long things will take based on the status of the product. But just email them and ask.