USB extender compatibility with GRT EFIS

[Girraf]

I've got 3 GRT EFIS screens on my panel design and intend to bring the USB connection on each one forward to the panel for easier software updating and data downloading. As an alternative to running 3 independent panel mounted USB extensions for data and a separate USB charging device, I found the USB-6A from EI. For $200, it seems like a bargain to get 3 data ports and 2 charging points in a single device. I asked GRT if it would be compatible but they couldn't be sure because the 3 data ports only show 3 wires for each USB extension instead of 4. The Unit is designed to work with the EI CGR-30 Engine displays but I was curious if it could work for data transfer to each GRT screen. Anyone used this before for that purpose?

Here's what GRT had to say:
"it's unusual in that it only shows 3 wires connected in each cable. It looks like they don't connect the ground wires in the cables. A normal USB cable has 4 wires including ground. This may affect the power or data transfer capability."

 

[rv8ch]

I would probably go with a very simple extender to avoid the risk of "strange" problems. Something like this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/316650178999

Or multiple single-port panel mount extenders. Perhaps not as sexy, but less work, and more reliable. My $0.02.

 

[Rick_A]

I read an interesting article a couple of days ago about the problems caused by cheap USB cables. The owner of an iPhone repair shop said they the number of phones that come in with fried electronics increased dramatically after iPhones switched to USB-C for charging.

Most of the time the root cause was the use of cheap cables or cheap chargers.