Budget mod

[Snowman]

I have cancelled my water cooling rebuild, I have cancelled my new mobo and proc purchase. I have extremely limited funds and have resorted to using my server build for my next project. I am going to mount a mimo 7 inch as a primary monitor to my dash and use two usb extensions and plant an inverter and my server in the trunk. I have two questions, one does anyone know how long the power switch wires can be, and two does anyone know where I can get the extension cables as performancepcs doesn't have them in 15 feet that aren't repeaters.

[slaveofconvention]

Well as for power switch wires - I don't think there's any real limit - I used to have a server in the attic at my moms house and had a 15 foot length of speaker cable between the mobo header and a little push to make switch in a closet downstairs - worked flawlessly till I moved out a couple years later

I've also heard of custom USB cables well over the 6-10 foot limit using CAT6 networking cable so there may be a budget workaround for that too....

[x88x]

Anything over 16' you're going to need a repeater of some kind. Sorry, but there's not really anything you can do about that. Physical limitations of the media any whatnot. :P The CATx extenders are also powerful repeaters...and also quite expensive..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB#Maximum_Cable_Length

[Snowman]

well looks like I will have to bite the bullet and go with the repeater cables then.. doubles the cost on my usb cables but i guess it must be done. Huge dent in the budget, glad I already had the mimo and the guts to the computer.. just going to have to get creative with the mounting and case I do have a lot of lexan laying around but last time I tried using that I ended up almost slicing my thumb off.

[rgathright]

Could you let us know how the repeaters work?

Any reduction in speed?

I would like to setup a similar system in my car as well.

[Snowman]

If I end up going that route I will let you know.. that essentially kills my budget plans

[x88x]

Could you let us know how the repeaters work?

They have IC's in them that filter and boost the signal to extend the attenuation distance. So no, no reduction in speed.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_Cables

Snowman, idk what your budget is, but either of these would do the job.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=103&cp_id=10303&cs_id=1030312&p_id=2779&seq=1&format=2
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=103&cp_id=10303&cs_id=1030313&p_id=6042&seq=1&format=2
I was surprised to find the cat5/6 extender at such a low price...I've never seen a bus-powered one before though, so maybe that's why.

You could also use a powered hub between normal 16' cables, if you have one available.

[rgathright]

They have IC's in them that filter and boost the signal to extend the attenuation distance. So no, no reduction in speed.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_Cables

Snowman, idk what your budget is, but either of these would do the job.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=103&cp_id=10303&cs_id=1030312&p_id=2779&seq=1&format=2
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=103&cp_id=10303&cs_id=1030313&p_id=6042&seq=1&format=2
I was surprised to find the cat5/6 extender at such a low price...I've never seen a bus-powered one before though, so maybe that's why.

You could also use a powered hub between normal 16' cables, if you have one available.

Thanks, this opens up so many possibilities for me.