This topic

Smart Hub 2 DC plug

sbilotta — Thu, 13 May 2021 21:50:51 GMT

Hi,

can anyone tell me what kind of DC plug is needed to power a Smart Hub 2 please?

thanks

Re: Smart Hub 2 DC plug

VeteranISPUser — Fri, 14 May 2021 09:39:30 GMT

Hi @sbilotta

Re: Smart Hub 2 DC plug

sbilotta — Fri, 14 May 2021 09:49:28 GMT

Thanks, but I'm asking about the dc barrel plug (or connector).

For example, it's not a 5.5 mm OD, 2.1 mm ID

What are the inner and outer diameters of the plug?

Re: Smart Hub 2 DC plug

Pedigree500 — Fri, 14 May 2021 11:31:17 GMT

@sbilottawrote:
What are the inner and outer diameters of the plug?

I checked myself once and the measurements (which I didn't record) didn't correspond to any available barrel plug that I could find.

As the Smart Hub and Smart Hub 2 use the same power adapter, maybe consider bidding on an auction site for a cheap BT Smart Hub that's being sold with its power adapter? That might be cheaper than bidding on a BT Smart Hub power adapter alone (which seem to go for about £10).

Re: Smart Hub 2 DC plug

sbilotta — Fri, 14 May 2021 11:43:15 GMT

Thanks Pedigree500.

I too couldn't decipher what kind of barrel it is and hence my question on the forum.

My intent however would be to supply the hub with a different power adaptor and hence the need for the right dc cable (and plug).

@JohnC2 , is this something you can help with?

Thanks.

Re: Smart Hub 2 DC plug

VeteranISPUser — Fri, 14 May 2021 13:02:09 GMT

Hi @sbilotta Apologies, if I was to guess, having measured mine I would say 5.5 x 2.5 mm.

Re: Smart Hub 2 DC plug

sbilotta — Fri, 14 May 2021 13:15:19 GMT

and that's what I thought too when the std 2.1 didn't fit, but neither did the 2.5 fit, so the ID is even bigger

Re: Smart Hub 2 DC plug

JB2016 — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 10:17:50 GMT

My own measurements indicate that the inner diameter is 3.5mm and the outer diameter is 5.5mm. Anyone found a source for these connectors?

Re: Smart Hub 2 DC plug

jodyble — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 21:52:40 GMT

Hello

@JB2016 Did you have any joy on this please? I'm stumped trying to find the right adapter.

Thanks

Re: Smart Hub 2 DC plug

JB2016 — Sun, 03 Oct 2021 14:48:36 GMT

If my measurements are accurate, then this plug is a Philmore 206, which seems to be manufactured or imported by LKG Industries Inc ( http://www.philmore-datak.com ).

Philmore Catalogue Page 64 ( http://www.philmore-datak.com/mc/Page%2064.pdf ) lists the plug.

I have failed to find any supplier of this plug outside the USA. I don’t know what they would charge to dispatch to the UK.

One enterprising seller on e-Bay is willing to post to the UK (total cost more than I paid recently for a second-hand Smart Hub 2 with its power supply)

Re: Smart Hub 2 DC plug

JB2016 — Sun, 03 Oct 2021 14:40:48 GMT

I just posted a reply which apparently breaches this Forum's conditions as I included links to e-commerce sites. I am advised that the links have been deleted by a moderator. Anyway, these links were for suppliers in the USA and I think it's unlikely they would dispatch in small quantities to the UK.

Re: Smart Hub 2 DC plug

jodyble — Sun, 03 Oct 2021 19:35:04 GMT

Oh no! Damn, I didnt get chance to read them. Maybe the moderator would more helpfully tell me what DC input size they have in their Smart Hub 2 so I can get it to work with a UPS rather than delete potentially helpful links that might solve this problem. Thanks very much anyway. I don't know why they have to make it of a size that actually fits nothing at all rather than a standard plug size. Very frustrating and totally unnecessary.

Re: Smart Hub 2 DC plug

JB2016 — Sun, 03 Oct 2021 21:10:25 GMT

Measured with calipers for OD and used the shank of a 3.0mm drill to test the ID. Of course, BT will sell you a one-hour UPS for the Smart Hub 2 which no doubt has the correct connector, but that solution costs over £80. If you search the Web for the Philmore 206 you should find the sites that I posted earlier.

EDITED: ID amended to correct size of 3.0mm

Re: Smart Hub 2 DC plug

JB2016 — Sun, 03 Oct 2021 21:17:59 GMT

Apologies for any confusion. My previous posts incorrectly quoted the measured ID as 3.5mm. It is in fact 3.0mm (which corresponds to the Philmore 206 plug).

Re: Smart Hub 2 DC plug

JB2016 — Wed, 24 Nov 2021 13:16:59 GMT

Re: Smart Hub 2 DC plug

apope — Sun, 14 Aug 2022 08:16:44 GMT

Have you considered just cutting both cables and splicing the wires from the UPS with the wires leading into official plug ?

I would strongly recommend scraping back the insulation on both first, and then confirming which wire is which voltage, but a couple of Wago in line connectors would make the join easy.

Re: Smart Hub 2 DC plug

JB2016 — Sun, 14 Aug 2022 14:16:51 GMT

@apope There could be a problem if in future the Hub develops a fault and has to be returned to BT. They might insist on the return of the power supply, and if so they might query the unauthorised modification. I did manage to obtain a working Smart Hub 2 with power supply from a well-known auction website for under £12, so your suggested solution has already been implemented using the cable from the spare power supply.

I don't see a need to pare the insulation carefully before cutting. If the polarity of the output is unknown then it will have to be confirmed by measurement (now what was that trick with a sliced potato?). Also, the twin flex has a tracer colour on one core, but to be certain a resistance measurment between each pole of the barrel connector and tails of its attached cable will confirm things.

I would NOT connect the UPS output in parallel with the wall-wart power supply. The BT power supply is 12 V; a typical UPS using lead-acid battery is 13.8V.

More information on the power requirements of the Smart Hub 2 here: https://bt-digital-voice.blogspot.com/

Re: Smart Hub 2 DC plug

apope — Sun, 14 Aug 2022 17:03:34 GMT

Fair point about returns.

Maybe we use different terminology, but I said to cut both cables and splice them, which is not the same as wiring them in parallel.

As far as testing, I often make mistakes and find a bit of paranoia goes a long way to avoid blowing things up 🙂