Wiring up a Network Hub

[Bopher]

Ok. This goes along with 3xNES but I figured I would put this here and get some help from the wiring gurus here. I already have placed my CDROM on the top of the case and cut everything to fit and allow the CD drawer to slid in and out of the cartridge door. Not sure what to do with the second NES, was thinking maybe flash card reader. And I was stumped for a while on what to use the 3rd NES door for. I decided the since this was a gaming PC I could put a Networking Hub inside that last door.

http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/8876/networkinghubmockedgf6.th.jpg (http://img240.imageshack.us/my.php?image=networkinghubmockedgf6.jpg)

My problem is for some reason in our move I have misplaced the power cord. I was thinking that maybe I replace the plug in on the hub with a molex and run off of the PSU. The diagram on the hub says 5v 2.0A. it has (-)--(o--(+) over those numbers. I have basic knowledge of wiring and stuff but not enough to confidentaly rewire this and not have it burn up on me. I think my Volt-a-meter died on me cause I was testing the connections on a PSU and I got the 5v but I was looking for the selection to go to Amps it quit working. Maybe it needs new batteries.

I also plan on trying to move the LEDs to sit over the ports instead of the front of the unit so i can see where my traffic is flowing. Any ideas would be helpful. Thanks.

[Luke122]

That's a pretty cool idea! Since you'll only be using it for networking when gaming, having the hub in there makes a lot of sense.

[Spawn-Inc]

to find out what your psu is rated for just look it up on the side of your psu or google there site. make sure the 5v is rated for more than 2 amps. you will have to find the same style of plug which should be at radio shack. make sure to get the right size plug, you can try other plugs you have and see if they fit properly. as for how to wire it, that label that shows "(-)--(o--(+)". the "(" means the outside of the plug (you would wire the ground to it) and the "o" would be the red 5v wire. here is a picture.

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/1479/wiringiv4.th.jpg (http://img510.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wiringiv4.jpg)
you would wire it from the other side obviously but i just wanted to showed it that way to illustrate what this means (-)--(o--(+). sorry if you already know this i just did it to make sure.

as for moving the leds thats easly done with some rewiring and extra wire.

you can pick up a cheap multimeter from a local hardware store, but i would first try to change the batteries to see if thats the problem.

[Bopher]

but, I'm looking into running from the computer PSU internally not out through another plug. thats where my problem is. unless I'm misunderstanding you.

[Spawn-Inc]

ya i know what you mean the picture was just to show you what that label was all about "(-)--(o--(+)" so check you powersupply and look for the the 5v line and see how many amps it can put out. here is a link (http://www.enermax.com.tw/english/product_Display1.asp?PrID=76) to my power supply and if you go to the bottem of the page is says the +5v is 30Amps max. look for a label like this (http://www.legitreviews.com/images/reviews/348/ocz600_label.jpg). so like i said go buy a new plug from radio shack or try to find a scrap one and wire it up so the red 5v line from the molex goes into the center or the "o" and the ground/black wire goes to the outside.

[Torn]

the best thing todo would be to de solder the round DC connector off. and then solder a + and ground wire directly to the PCB. because i forsee the turning area of a cable with a DC connector on the end will stick out the front.

get a multi meter, put it on conductivity(resistance) and then simply hold it on the pin inside the connector and then trace it to the PCB pin, once it registers that will be your 5v + and the other one(i always check it, although u can presume it is ground) will be your ground! what is the black wire on the molex :)

hope this helps.

[Spawn-Inc]

^^^ even better! thats the cheapest and best thing to suggest +rep to you torn. that never even crossed my mind.

[Bopher]

Now I gotcha. I'll check that on my way out of the house. Most PSU should be about the same cause I have a tester I haven't cut wire on and it powers up, but I'll be using a newer, I wanna say somewhere around 600-700 Watts on the final PC. I'll post again after work or sneak sometime in, we only have dial-up at the store till they figure out the ADSL hookup for us.

[Torn]

any problems feel free to ask :) when im not modding. im still thinking about it! and actully helping somone do it is even better :D

[Bopher]

Real quick.. hmm not on dial up, anyway. The PSU I have for testing is 36A max. So do I need resistors or anything to hook straight up or do I have to wait until I get the PSU I want to even try this?

[Torn]

on the asumption that the network hub is 12 volts(*scrolls up to see) nope! 5 volts..

then just tap into the 5 volt votage rail.. not the best at electronic engineering but as far as i can see/think. everything should be ok to go! might be a nice idea to put a molex(female) on a 15-20 CM bit of wire. then you can easy swap after ur new PSU comes :D

Torn!

[Bopher]

I figured I could go right into the 5V rail but the only thing that concerned me was the 2 Amps. The PSU has a 36 Amp max on it and was afraid that it could burn out the PC board of the hub. Eh, its an older hub I never use, if I burn it up no biggy. I'll try that when I get back into town tomorrow.

[Spawn-Inc]

no, if something on your computer were to draw 37amps then the psu couldn't handle it but if its less then it will only draw 2 amps from the psu. if you were to wire the yellow 12v line to it then yes you would need a resistor.

[Bopher]

Sweet, looks like a trip to radioshack before I leave Cheyenne tomorrow and then some modding when I get back into town.

[BerticusPryme]

this really helps me out becasue i was thinking of doing the same thing. i already had mine built i been trying to figure out how to wire it up so thanks guys.

[Bopher]

This actually works really well. Posting this from my laptop hooked up to the hub running off of the PSU and connected to my router in my living room. Now just to move some leds and get everything into the NES. thanks everyone for the help. will have pics of the finished item.