external enclosure question

Live forum: http://forum.freeipodguide.com/viewtopic.php?t=43582

nusqax

26-07-2006 15:15:39

is there such a thing as a 3.5" external enclosure that is usb powered?

dmorris68

26-07-2006 15:51:43

No, USB power alone isn't enough to drive a 3.5" HDD reliably. 2.5" notebook drives and smaller can be, though.

nusqax

26-07-2006 16:14:59

what about firewire?

dmorris68

26-07-2006 17:06:46

[quote5e59b8b141="nusqax"]what about firewire?[/quote5e59b8b141]
I don't think so. Never seen one. All 3.5" HDD's require +5V and +12V. Firewire does have an unregulated 12VDC output, but the combined wattage on the entire bus is limited to around 1.5W I think. Most 3.5" HDD's will draw a lot more current than that on spinup, and will probably sustain around 1W, so I don't think FW could sustain a 3.5" by itself.