Issue with my external enclosure.

Rickster

Rickster

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So I bought this really rubbish 3.5" HDD enclosure from matrix as I was low on cash a few years ago.

I dont often use it but now that I want to use it its giving me issues.

It seems to have a small battery that gives it a boost and it has to be charged.

I charge it and the HD works and can be read, the next day it seems to be flat - I plug it in and it spins up, a few seconds later it loses its RPM's and spins slowly with the head moving back and fourth also slowly.


Now why does an external enclosure need a battery when it has a USB 3.0 and a USB 2.0 supplying it with power?

USB 3.0 = 5v @900mA /4.5W

USB 2.0 = 5v @500mA /2.5W

5*2=10V @1.4A /14W

Im guessing the battery provides the extra 2 volts?

Anyone else run into the same issue?
 
its probably been made that way for devices where the usb ports can not provide enough power.. im curious to see what the internals of this enclosure looks like.. its both a great and stupid idea at the same time..

Simply to rule out the hard drive causing the issue, have you tried other hard drives and the same thing happens..?
 
Pitbull said:
Size of the HDD?

I have seen externals bigger than 2TB uses an external power source.
Click to expand...

1TB 3.5"

WAslayer said:
its probably been made that way for devices where the usb ports can not provide enough power.. im curious to see what the internals of this enclosure looks like.. its both a great and stupid idea at the same time..

Simply to rule out the hard drive causing the issue, have you tried other hard drives and the same thing happens..?
Click to expand...

I primarily used it for a 2.5" 40GB and it worked without a hitch but that drive is rated at 5V.

Will upload pics.
 
Rickster said:
1TB 3.5"



I primarily used it for a 2.5" 40GB and it worked without a hitch but that drive is rated at 5V.

Will upload pics.
Click to expand...

Cool, not that then. Wonder why it has a separate power source then. I have an enclosure but it's 2.5" no battery or nothing (USB3)
 
What is power specs for 3.5" hdd
I see no external power supply socket .
I have a old 1tb 3.5"
Its power needs
5v @ 0.72A 3.6W
12v @ 0.52A 6.24W
Total power need
This is 9.84W total power need
Bring that down to 5v usb = 1.968A with conversion losses could be easy 2.2 amps at 5v
 
thehuman said:
What is power specs for 3.5" hdd
I see no external power supply socket .
I have a old 1tb 3.5"
Its power needs
5v @ 0.72A 3.6W
12v @ 0.52A 6.24W
Total power need
This is 9.84W total power need
Bring that down to 5v usb = 1.968A with conversion losses could be easy 2.2 amps at 5v
Click to expand...

Same as yours.
 
Normally 3.5" brackets will have a seperate external 12v supply.
Seems the battery is the 12v external source. Getting charged via usb 5v :)
 
Which one is a battery? I don't see it on the picture.
Battery probably works as a large capacitor. Hard drive draws higher current during start up. Battery will supply current during peak load. Normally 3.5 hard drives should not be powered from USB port.

Why battery goes flat so quick? It can be fault in the unit or the battery has a large selfdiscarge.
 
Last edited:
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