Reliable USB hubs

[Wolleee]

Hi all,

I believe i am having issues with USB devices powering down or noise.  I have the green energy issue fixed, but i still see the usb ports become unresponsive. I am using prolific RS232 to USB converters right now and i also have PXI RS232 module, but that PXI system is in a different location than where i am currently testing.  Does anyone have any expereince with a realiabel USB or RS232 hub for visa reads and write, or possibly any solutions to this issue.

Thank you,

[RTSLVU]

Your Prolific USB to Serial adaptors are probably counterfeit.

I fought this same issue (USB ports becoming unresponsive) a year or so ago tried different hubs, powered hubs, etc. 

In the end it turned out to be the Prolific adaptors we were getting from Cables-2-Go.

We have since thrown all of them away and only buy USB to (rs232, 485, etc) with FTDI chipsets in them now.

All of our issues with USB adaptors have disappeared.

[Wolleee]

Thank you for the tip.  Ill give that a try.

[Wolleee]

Hi RTSLVU,

Do you have a suggested brand or model of this RS232 to USB connector?

Thank you,

matt

[RTSLVU]

Well this is the one actually sold on the FTDI website

 http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/FTDI/CHIPI-X10/?qs=m5ogiX%2FX43nzRp8XLQeQIA%3D%3D

For $15 you know you are getting an actual FTDI chip device.

FTDI has had to deal with their share of counterfeiting too.

But they take no prisoners and are actually having their drivers brick counterfeit devices.

[RavensFan]

I've used quite a few of these and never had a problem.

http://www.iogear.com/product/GUC232A/

[Wolleee]

Thank you both for the input.  I will order those up. I happen to have  a company right down the street, parallax.,  They make these converters, it seems like an easy fix to get something working over the weekend, but ill probably want to get some shielded fully protected cables.  Tell me your thoughts.

http://www.frys.com/product/5229677?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

thank you.

[RTSLVU]

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@RavensFan wrote:

I've used quite a few of these and never had a problem.

http://www.iogear.com/product/GUC232A/

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Does it use a Prolific or FTDI chipset?

My company used to buy these http://www.cablestogo.com/product/26886 

Turns out they were counterfeit as when using them they would work for a while, then just go off into La-La land.

No errors from LabView or Windows. Stopping a LabView program would hang at "Resetting XXX.vi"

Other programs like Agilent Benchlink would do the same thing, just stop communicating and never report an error.  

The only way to get it back was to reboot.

[RTSLVU]

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@matt198717 wrote:

Thank you both for the input.  I will order those up. I happen to have  a company right down the street, parallax.,  They make these converters, it seems like an easy fix to get something working over the weekend, but ill probably want to get some shielded fully protected cables.  Tell me your thoughts.

http://www.frys.com/product/5229677?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

thank you.

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As long as it's a real FTDI it should work.

[Wolleee]

Yes,

Im not sure about ravensfan, but i was using this prolific chip set made my manhattan and i was having the same hang issue with no errors.  It would work fine sometimes, and other time it would just go crazy.  They work for most application i do, but for labview interface with serial read it was a no go.  Parallax headquiarters is actually right down the street so i may go have a chat with them.  They are a pretty good comnpany, but i want an all in one cable eventually.  Less variables.

THank you for all your input.