geoffwhite Posted September 12, 2016 Share Posted September 12, 2016 I'm new to the Nano, so pls forgive the basic question, but.... do both of the USB plugs that I plug into my PC provide power to the unit? Or does one provide power and the other provide comms, for example? I think it's the former, but I just want to be sure. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sud0nick Posted September 12, 2016 Share Posted September 12, 2016 Both provide power. It's a Y-cable so those two plugs are chained together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sebkinne Posted September 12, 2016 Share Posted September 12, 2016 As sud0nick said, both provide power, but I should add that only the thicker end provides data. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffwhite Posted September 13, 2016 Author Share Posted September 13, 2016 Now I'm confused. So both USB plugs provide power, but do either/both of them also provide data to the Nano? (Basically in an ideal world I don't want to have to plug the Nano into my laptop as I'm restricted on number of USB ports) Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anode Posted September 13, 2016 Share Posted September 13, 2016 34 minutes ago, geoffwhite said: Now I'm confused. So both USB plugs provide power, but do either/both of them also provide data to the Nano? (Basically in an ideal world I don't want to have to plug the Nano into my laptop as I'm restricted on number of USB ports) Thanks! USB spec is 500ma per port. A lot of hubs/PCs offer 1000ma (1 amp). Sometimes even more. The y cable allows you to double the power given to the Nano. I've used in a pinch in the past, the fatter plug into the PC, and a USB battery pack for the supplement power. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forbin Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 I was confused on this also, as there is no basic setup instruction, just a couple of out date quick (84 seconds) videos. Don't blink and you will see the proper physical power setup in the Linux video. I got a USB 2.0 hub. This may be just a cheat and not really supply the true power consumption that is require. I have no other option, there only two USB connections on opposite sides of the notebook I use. It appears to work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sebkinne Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 The included Y-cable has three ends. A female end, where the NANO is plugged into, and two male ends. One of them is the larger one. That's the main end, and should go into your computer. If you need to provide extra power, you can plug the smaller male plug into another port on your computer, a battery pack, or into a wall wart. There is really nothing much to it. Both male plugs provide power, but only the main male plug provides data. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forbin Posted September 15, 2016 Share Posted September 15, 2016 Sebkinne, you statement is confusing. How do I know if I need extra power? In the brief video on installing the Pineapple for Linux, it shows both connected with no explanation. So it appears the proper configuration is to have both female on the Y-cable plug in. If the Nano is only being used, is this configuration OVER powering the device? Can you over power the device using the Y-cable (excluding using improper/non-standard USB power rating of course)? Is this the cause of over heating? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxtrot Posted September 15, 2016 Share Posted September 15, 2016 4 hours ago, Forbin said: Sebkinne, you statement is confusing. How do I know if I need extra power? In the brief video on installing the Pineapple for Linux, it shows both connected with no explanation. So it appears the proper configuration is to have both female on the Y-cable plug in. If the Nano is only being used, is this configuration OVER powering the device? Can you over power the device using the Y-cable (excluding using improper/non-standard USB power rating of course)? Is this the cause of over heating? You should use the Y-Cable at all times. Whether you have something plugged into the NANO or not, as many laptops cannot provide enough power through 1 USB port. Using the Y-Cable "fully" with both male ends plugged into a laptop etc, and the female end plugged into the NANO is fine - regardless of whether accessories are connected or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forbin Posted September 15, 2016 Share Posted September 15, 2016 Thanks Foxtrot for clearing that up. There is spec sheet but no user manual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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