Is it OK to leave an external drive always on?

[hatuko]

I'm using (on Mac) TimeCapsule with TimeMachine for backups of the system, but I am now also using a Seagate 2TB drive in a USB 3.0 enclosure for additional backups with CrashPlan so to be safe.

Is it OK to leave it always on? I have configured CrashPlan to do realtime backups so this wouldn't work if I had to turn the drive on and off.

Thanks in advance

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I'm using (on Mac) TimeCapsule with TimeMachine for backups of the system, but I am now also using a Seagate 2TB drive in a USB 3.0 enclosure for additional backups with CrashPlan so to be safe.

Is it OK to leave it always on? I have configured CrashPlan to do realtime backups so this wouldn't work if I had to turn the drive on and off.

Thanks in advance

I've always been leery of the power-supplies (or power-bricks) bundled with external drives. My sister-in-law had a habit of leaving her external USB drive powered "on" at all times. Eventually, over the course of one to three years, the drive died. I can't remember if it was the power-supply or the drive itself.

The opposite side to this coin is whether you'd be inclined to simply install a drive internally without any concern over the extra power-draw -- which isn't all that much. Those are some of your options, and I couldn't definitively advise either way . . . But if you bought the enclosure and the bare-bones drive separately, I don't see why you wouldn't simply install it internally -- if you plan on letting it run perpetually.

 

[hatuko]

I don't see why you wouldn't simply install it internally

I have the iMac late 2013, so I think this isn't an option unfortunately. That is the reason why I am using the external drive

 

[corkyg]

I do both - and each case is for good reason. I no longer leave my PC on 24/7. I do have my data on an external that is on whenever the PC is on. I also have it backed up on another external that is only on when backups are run. These drives are further duplicated on other externals attached to a different PC - my laptop. Been doing it for years with no problems. I don't worry about it because I have planned redundancy.

 

[smitbret]

Yes.

I have a 2TB External that is always on so that it can be used for backups. Not only that but I run HDCaffeine that makes it spin up every 5 minutes so it doesn't go to sleep. Going on 2 years now.

HDDs run 24/7 in things like DVRs, Security Systems, NAS, Servers, etc. Just sitting there and hanging out doesn't cause any more wear and tear than my 20 year old watch has experienced in its "always on" state.

 

[hatuko]

I do both - and each case is for good reason. I no longer leave my PC on 24/7. I do have my data on an external that is on whenever the PC is on. I also have it backed up on another external that is only on when backups are run. These drives are further duplicated on other externals attached to a different PC - my laptop. Been doing it for years with no problems. I don't worry about it because I have planned redundancy.

Sounds like you have enough backups

Yes.

I have a 2TB External that is always on so that it can be used for backups. Not only that but I run HDCaffeine that makes it spin up every 5 minutes so it doesn't go to sleep. Going on 2 years now.

HDDs run 24/7 in things like DVRs, Security Systems, NAS, Servers, etc. Just sitting there and hanging out doesn't cause any more wear and tear than my 20 year old watch has experienced in its "always on" state.

Thanks! I don't need to be too worried about it then

 

[Charlie98]

Sounds like you have enough backups

You can never have enough backups! :awe:

I use 3 portable USB-powered HDDs for my backups... My oldest one has 20K+ hours on it and it's fine (if not a little too small, now, at 500GB.)

I also had a 1TB Seagate external drive... that had a tendency to run hot. Just make sure the enclosure is out in the open and ventilated for long life.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I think it would be fine provided it's being cooled properly. Lot of external drives don't really have adequate cooling. It also depends how heavily it's being used. If it's just sitting there half the time idling you should be fine.

 

[nk215]

I have 2 3TB external drives on 24/7. They are WD and Seagate. For the Seagate, I had to cut open the enclosure to get the temperature down to ~50C. The WD run cool in the mid 40C. Both of them are located in the basement so it's a cool environment.

They have been running like that for around 2 years now w/o any issue. Everyday, they get about 10-30GB written to them as incremental backups. One one day per week, they do the full data back up and that's about 1.2TB.

 

[jkauff]

I have seven WD My Book USB 3.0 drives that I leave running 24/7. They're fanless and vent through the top, so you need to keep them standing up, but my temps hover between 38-42 degrees. I've set them so they never spin down.

My general experience with electronics has been that powering up puts more stress on them than leaving them running. Of course, you have to be willing to pay the higher electric bill every month.

 

[h9826790]

My ext HDD are always connected and on 24/7 (I disable the sleep functions for all my HDDs).

Anyway, my oldest HDD is running for more than 5 years now (45338 Hrs). Still in good condition. I never do anything to lower the HDDs' temperature. They usually stabilise between 40-50C.

 

[hatuko]

Is my temp OK? It is lower than the max but will it be OK leaving the drive on 24/7?

 

[corkyg]

As long as it stays within those limits, temp should not be a problem. Will it be allowed to sleep during long periods of inactivity? Will it be connected to a UPS?

 

[smitbret]

As long as it stays within those limits, temp should not be a problem. Will it be allowed to sleep during long periods of inactivity? Will it be connected to a UPS?

I think that is an often overlooked factor, too. I know I've run across some studies that have shown that heat isn't really a determining factor in HDD lifespan, as long as it is within guidelines. But, how much does dirty power affect a HDD, especially an external that plugs right into the power source? My external HDD has always been plugged into a UPS. Don't underestimate the benefits of clean power for your electronics.