I have a D-Link 7 port USB 2.0 hub model DUB-H7
The hub has a AC power supply that came with it, 5v 3amp output.
Problem, the hub will not supply 5v power to the 7 ports unless it is connected to a PC that is powered up and running an OS, regardless if the AC adapter is connected or not. I belive this is by design.
What I want to do is use this in a automobile to power some of my usb devices, but not have it connected to a PC. I have a power inverter in the vehicle to supply the 110v for the d-link ac power supply.
Not knowing how D-link designed the circuit board, it there some fundamental usb hub design that causes this behavior.
I did some reading on this page, but know just enough about USB electronics to get into trouble and let some smoke out, is there a way to make a usb dongle to fool the d-link into believing it is connected to a PC?
Best Answer
I suggest you simple supply 5V with a suitable current limit to the ground and power lines of your USB gadet. A simple 7805 will do fine. There are numerous designs and commercial gadgets (battery powered, wall-wart powered, cigarette plug powered, some even solar panel powered - I doubt they are effective) that do something like this this. Some links:
2 cell version
very ugly: 9V battery + zener
commercial 4 cell, will probably output 6V, yuk!
9V battery + 7805
cigarette plug + 7805