Do USB hubs need to be powered

[VetteZR1]

I have a TH8RS and T500RS and planning to add cooling fan and want to keep my thumb drive plugged in for constant saves. PS3 slim only has 2 ports so I was wondering if the non-powered PS3 USB hubs will give enough power to these accessories. Also want to plug shifter and wheel into USB splitter at rig with an extension cable to reduce cable clutter, will this work?

 

[daan]

Usually, if the item you are plugging in takes power from the USB then the hub needs to be powered. If the item has its own power supply, then the hub shouldn't need to be powered.

 

[mykem]

However, there's a person on ISR forum reporting that he had a problem with the T500RS' directional button when he connected the wheel via a USB Hub: http://insidesimracing.tv/forums/viewtopic.php?f=151&t=5696

I don't know if using a powered would've solved his issue but it seems that to have the wheel working optimally, it should be connected directly to the PS3's USB.

 

[BNGTracer]

I had to contact Thrustmaster Technical Support recently with a faulty TH8 and in one of there replies they stated that it should be plugged directly in to the PC or PS3 and not any USB hub's or extensions, or a USB 3.0 port. There exact reply is below.

In this case, there are some other things we need to ask you:

- Have you tested the shifter on another USB port of your computer? In fact, you need to watch 2 things: that the USB port is located behind the tower (and not on its front side) and that it's an USB 2.0 and not 3.0 port.

- Are you using any USB hubs or USB extension cords? If you do, please plug the shifter directly to the USB port.

 

[LogiForce]

Why the heck not in a 3.0 port? USB 3.0 is backwards compatible with 2.0 like 2.0 was with 1.1 and 1.0. :S
I reckon the French forgot to put in security measures and it'll automatically ask the full load from the USB port, and thus will fry the electronics in your wheel. At least that sounds like the French way of doing things.

Some USB hubs work iffy though, hence they ask you not to put it in there. Plus the fact that not every hub is powered and apparently it needs some juice from the USB port still I guess. However other then that I see no reason at all.

 

[HOODFIELD]

I use this hub: http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-USB-2-0-4-Port-Ultra-Mini/dp/B000Q8UAWY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328441737&sr=8-1

I have a USB stick, wireless headphone dongle, TH8RS, and controller plugged into it. Yes I have tried to plug the wheel into it as well but I have the same directional button issue.

One thing that annoys me is I have to re-assign my controller to "1" everytime. PS3 always recognizes whats plugged into it first.

 

[Spike125]

In general a powered USB hub is better, as it takes the strain from the internal USB ports.
On the PS3 I have no experience yet, as my 2 ports are still enough for now.
But with more then two devices on the hub I would go for a powered one.
Just remember to connect your wheel direct to the PS3 and the shifter to the hub