If I buy this hub, then I need to buy the USB cards and run it using my computer? Does it matter what computer I have or what USB port it needs?
I can do my best to answer but may get corrected later
What comes in the box is the USB hub (metal inclosure), a power cable (for connecting to a socket), a USB cable (for connecting to a computer), and a USB LED fan (pleasant surprise!).
You have to buy the ASICs and whatnot separately, this is only a powered hub. I honestly haven't checked power usage or anything but so far the ASICs are running great off a Raspberry Pi. Takes far less space and less hassle than the D-link hubs I was using.
Yep, I was going to do FREE fans with all the hubs (as a thank-you to purchasers )BUT then I found a CRITICAL Quality assurance problem with the fans, and am now sitting with a SHITLOAD of useless fans
Please don't use swan neck FANS with hub/ computer.
1. The fans have a contact that is copper and fails after about 1 week of continuous running…….. fan continues but lights die (not critical, just an annoyance)
2. The fans vibrate and transfer the force down the swan neck and into the USB hub socket… thereby fucking them up………. (critical failure, can damage USB connections)
Please don't use the swan neck fan directly into ANY fixed USB socket, this is why I think it is difficult to find swan neck fans, and yes I know 'loads of people use them', but I am fairly scientific in most things I do.
Additional taxes…on delivery.. Hong Kong is a free port, and I'm currently looking at ways to pass that saving on……, but ultimately it is down to YOUR local government and customs.
Air post is fairly stringent on declarations, what with people trying to blow planes up…..
SPEED POST demands 3 copies of an invoice is supplied with the documentation.
regarding Power usage, the unit contains a switched mode PSU, so it should be as least as efficient as a phone charger…
A bit of backgroundOn Testing…
Normally I'm fairly private, but I can say I have over 30 years experience in Quality assurance & design/electronics, 25 of which are in China/Asia.
(which is why my first post was a bit technical)
At my last company I managed 3,000 products out of a 28,000-32,000 range and dealt with/controlled about 110 factories over a period of 16 years.
If you live in The UK or Europe, you may see some of the products I have designed. (Homebase/Argos)
The issue is not finding product in China or using a translator for TaoBao/ ali…etc, but rather ensuring what you purchase meets the required levels.
I evaluate Circuit layout
to make sure I get what was agreed…
Here I use a PAT (portable appliance tester), this performs leakage, flash test earth bond, cross wired & short tests, This is in addition to the factory tests….
Nope!! I do not trust Chinese factories to say they will do what they agree too.
On 'UK 3 pin' Cables….
Yes I know…. they are NFG (no fucking good) other than for a few countries in the world.
For this shipment I figured people would just substitute in the 'correct' cable, Yep… even I get caught out by the idiots sometimes….
Normally I do on-site inspections BEFORE taking goods, unfortunately before Chinese new year is a problem.
RF