How much power does a hard drive need?

[Arkitech]

EDIT:

I misplaced the original adapter for my hard drive enclosure, what kind of power would one hard drive need?






I misplaced my adapter for my drive enclosure (Ultra Products - http://www.ultraproducts.com/product_de....php?cPath=19&pPath=249&productID=249) and I'm looking for a replacement. Can you tell me what the voltage/amps output is?

 

[Arkitech]

bump w/edit

 

[jackschmittusa]

Mine uses a 12v power brick, which I think would be standard since hds are 12v devices. Mine is a 3A unit (for a 300mb ide unit). You will also need to know whether the plug needs to be c+ or c-.

 

[Lord Evermore]

It's pretty much irrelevant how much power a hard drive needs, since you have to supply power that the bridge card in the enclosure can use. The hard drive needs both 12V and 5V inputs. Current draw for 12V at startup can be from 2 to 3 Amps, much less for operating, and 5V is usually less than 1A at startup.

I looked around for some images of the adapter for that device. Phoronix had a review of the drive, and their picture of the box contents has a tantalizingly close picture of the adapter but the resolution is just a bit too low to make out the numbers.

You might be able to get the information out of the support people at the manufacturer, though they may also be required to try to sell you a new one. You could also ask around at places that have done reviews, they may still have the drives, or maybe better pictures of the adapter so they could get the numbers (going out on a limb with that one).

 

[Arkitech]

Originally posted by: Lord Evermore
It's pretty much irrelevant how much power a hard drive needs, since you have to supply power that the bridge card in the enclosure can use. The hard drive needs both 12V and 5V inputs. Current draw for 12V at startup can be from 2 to 3 Amps, much less for operating, and 5V is usually less than 1A at startup.

I looked around for some images of the adapter for that device. Phoronix had a review of the drive, and their picture of the box contents has a tantalizingly close picture of the adapter but the resolution is just a bit too low to make out the numbers.

You might be able to get the information out of the support people at the manufacturer, though they may also be required to try to sell you a new one. You could also ask around at places that have done reviews, they may still have the drives, or maybe better pictures of the adapter so they could get the numbers (going out on a limb with that one).

I opened up the enclosure and I poked around the bridge card and found this info on the power switch lead

1a 250v
3a 120v

 

[corkyg]

All the 3.5" external cases I have ever used or been involved with have a standard built in power supply with a regular A/C cord connected to a 3 prong standard A/C male outlet in the back. Never used one with a "brick." On the other hand, 2.5" cases usually have a 5 VDC "brickette" or a source from Ps/2 port, USB port, or FW port.