USB Charging/Docking station
I’ve been looking for a setup to handle all of the USB devices I have, which also need to be plugged in to charge. I’ve seen a few plans for nice charging stations to make, but nothing that incorporates the computer connectivity. Why would I want to build two things stations when a single one would do?
So I started looking at the USB 2.0 spec about power requirements. As it turns out, externally powered hubs are required to supply 500 mA to all ports. It is also recommended that the hub draw its power from the bus, to allow continued operation in the absence of the external power source. What is not specified is if the hub is required to deliver power to the ports when it is not receiving power from the bus. If the device does power the ports when the bus-supplied power is absent (e.g. – when the computer is off), then it should work as a charging station for USB-connected devices.
The downside to this is that I’m pretty sure the boxes of these hubs aren’t going to advertise whether or not they deliver power to the ports when the bus power is removed, which means trial-and-error. I am going to guess that the cheaper hubs probably wouldn’t go to the trouble to handle switching power to the ports based on the availability of the bus power. So hopefully my trial-and-error won’t cost me too much.
Now I just need to decide what I want this station to look like, and how I’m going to flush-mount access to the unused ports. Maybe the hub also needs to be easily disassembled 
I have been searching the web hoping to find a USB charging station with six or more ports and I am a little shocked to find that most of the commercially available options have a max of two ports. I came across your post while searching and I am wondering if you have had any luck finding a hub that will supply device power without a host connection or perhaps finding a simple way to fool the hub into thinking it has a host connection?
I haven’t found anything yet, but I’ve also been kinda busy with work, school, and the holidays. I need to get a few tools to build up a workspace to properly test whatever hub I end up getting. I’ll make sure to post most when I find one that works – and I’ll try to email those who have shown interest.
Did you ever find it?
I did not – kinda stopped looking for one