Firewire hub not detectable

[Robert_Eastlund]

I would check to see if the cameras appear in the Device Manager.  Firewire cameras will often not appear in MAX is there is an issue with the driver that is selected.  If the cameras are present in the Device Manager, update the driver there and let Windows choose the driver.  Then, check to see if the cameras appear in MAX.  If they do, select the NI-IMAQdx driver.

-Robert

[Shazlan]

Dear all,

First of all, thank you for the replies.

I'm at this stage now. I've checked with device manager + Max. When the hub is connected to the camera on one firewire port and CVS on another, and the hub is externally powered up, I can see the camera appearing in device manager and Max. However, when I disconnected CVS from the hub, the camera is gone (ie. the computer doesn't see the camera as if it is not powered up). So, I've opened up the hub and inspect the power supplied to the camera. What I've found out is that the hub, using only its external DC power, is not supplying sufficient voltage to the firewire port. When the hub, again using only its 12VDC power supply, is connected to the camera, the voltage reading at the camera drops to 5-6V. However, when it is connected to either a CVS or PCI firewire card, the camera receives sufficient voltage to operate, which is 12V.

The manual says that the hub requires only 300mA max to operate and the DC adapter used has a 500mA max limit. How can this be happening? Any advice?

[BruceAmmons]

500 mA is enough to power the hub, but not the cameras.  If I remember correctly, cameras can take up to 1 A of power.  Do you know how much current your camera needs?  If it is more than 200 mA, your power supply is just too weak.

Bruce

[Shazlan]

Hi Bruce,

My camera only need 200mA. The specs can be found here:

http://www.theimagingsource.com/en_US/products/cameras/firewire-ccd-color/dfk41bf02/

I know that the firewire port supplies voltage of up to 12VDC. Do you know the maximum current any firewire port supplies?

[BruceAmmons]

I am not really an expert when we get to the voltage and current details.  I would just suspect replacing the 500 mA supply with a 1 A supply would solve all your issues.  Right now you don't have any spare power.

Bruce