I need the highest capacity external drive that I can run off the power of a SINGLE USB connection. This is actually going to be used to hold uncompressed audio for use in my truck, so I'm hoping I can get into the 160+GB range for >100 CD's worth of music. My Kenwood only has a single USB line.
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External USB with tiny power requirements?
- Thread starter Kil4Thril
- Start date
unhappy_mage
[H]ard|DCer of the Month - October 2005
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2004
- Messages
- 11,455
2.5" laptop drives are generally easy enough on the power requirements that they'll work over bus-powered USB. WD makes a 250GB one that one of my friends has; it works just fine bus-powered for him. There are others available, too.
When you say BUS powered, though, are you meaning the ones with 2 USB hookups, or do they run fine on a single? That's where I'm having trouble. A lot of the ones I've found require a second USB port to get ample current, and I want a simple single plug. I'll dig more through that WD you linked, and, of course, NewEgg was the first place I searched. Thanks.
Although many USB enclosures come with two USB hookups, you can generally run them with only one plug connected. Most desktop motherboards supply enough power to work over a single USB connection. However many notebooks don't supply enough power over a single USB connection, and that is when you should really make sure to use two connections.
If you are mainly going to be reading from the drive, then I wouldn't worry about using a single connection. I have used my Vantec enclosure on about 10 desktop PCs with only a single connection without issue, even though the cable has two connectors.
Just be sure to find yourself a low powered drive. My guess is that 4200 and 5400 RPM drives will draw less power.
If you are mainly going to be reading from the drive, then I wouldn't worry about using a single connection. I have used my Vantec enclosure on about 10 desktop PCs with only a single connection without issue, even though the cable has two connectors.
Just be sure to find yourself a low powered drive. My guess is that 4200 and 5400 RPM drives will draw less power.
My Kenwood deck is strictly compliant with the standards. What Vantec enclosure are you using? I have a no-name one that will NOT work with only the single connection, it requires both. But, it is one of those "one touch backup" deals, so I assume the extra electronics on that little board cause some issues.