Humminbird 5 Port Hub Power Solution

[Bandersnatch]

I recently converted my Ultrex I-Pilot to a link system. In order to network both the console and bow units I have to put in a 5 port hub. The problem is i have a fishing trip this weekend and I'm unable to run the 12V to the hub the proper way in the amount of time I have available. The hub itself came with a adapter that converter the black and red wires to a usb cable. It also came with a usb to cig lighter usb converter. According to minn kota the hub uses very little power. 165 ma or .165Ah.   The question i have is can I just plug the usb cord into a battery pack that I use for charging cell phones and go pros? The battery pack I have says it puts out DC12 1.5A? This would get me through the weekend until I could wire it properly    

[eyesnskis]

Based on the power output of your battery pack and what you were told the hub uses for power, you should be fine going that route.  Does your boat have a 12v outlet that you could just plug right into? Where are you mounting the hub? Is it closer to your power panel up front or at the console? Unless you're just "tossing it in a compartment" to get by for the weekend, most logical mounting locations would be close to a panel.  It only takes few seconds to crimp a couple blade terminals on to the power cable and plug it into a fused panel.  

[jaimeastin]

That should work just fine.  The hubs do not require a lot of power at all. I made a hub from a basic $10 network hub from amazon.  

[Allen Der]

9 hours ago, jaimeastin said:

That should work just fine.  The hubs do not require a lot of power at all. I made a hub from a basic $10 network hub from amazon.  

Can you share how you made that work? 

[jaimeastin]

11 hours ago, Allen Der said:

Can you share how you made that work? 

Sure can.  I will be making some instructions on how to make it.  The two basic components are below.  

 

Bulk converter: 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CNXLDCQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_rY2gDbJMVCJFJ

 

Network switch:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FNFSPY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_.12gDb0TN60SV

 

 

Use the bulk converter to step the 12v down to 5v.  I also put an inline fuse in the unit for protection.  From there, I just wired it back to fuse box...

Here is video of me talking about it..

https://youtu.be/4PlXTKQtmwA?t=14m18s

 

 

Hummingbird bad news...

 

I made the switch box for a Garmin Marine at work. Adult and I still believe that Garmin is a little greedy as all the other companies when it comes to these basic components and overcharging for you.  Now I have even more of a bad taste in my mouth about humminbird / Johnson Marine. these are just basic ethernet network cables yet Johnson decide to use very specific proprietary connections for their units. there is no need for this other than to make a basic cable that is pennies per foot a very high profit item....  I didn't do any research to see if there are any cable ends that you can self terminate for Johnson... Garmin has termination kits, that aren't necessary, make it look stock.

 

At the end of the eighties just wires... If I got my hands on one I could tell you what pins go to what wire and then we could talk about making some type of 3D printed adapter.