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    Battery power supply for external HDD

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Zenica, Sep 9, 2008.

  1. Zenica

    Zenica InterArmaEnimSilentLeges

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    Ok, this is my dilemma, I bought a Rocketfish RF-AHD25 from a fellow NBR member. This drive is supposed to come with an external power supply that the manual states in 5 volt DV 1 amp. The person I got it from said it have the power supply when he bought it and he meant to go back to Best Buy but never got around to it...water under the bridge now.

    I called Rocketfish and in turn was transferred to Best Buy parts dept.
    They then told me it is not an available component and that I should go to a local Best Buy to exchange the drive/supply. I think she misunderstood me and thought it stopped working no matter how many times I kept saying I want to buy a second power supply. No matter...I don't have the retail package or receipt so going to the store is out.

    I figured I could just go to Radio Shack and get a universal supply that can feed the correct voltage/amperage so that is what I did. The one I picked up is selectable from 3 through 12 volts at a fixed 1 amp. I set it to 4.5 (I thought that should be ok since my computers USB port output is 4.90 volts)
    The drive will work connected via USB but I am after the eSata connection...so I connect the power and I hear the drive spin up---great so far---I connect the eSata and the drive spins down---disconnect eSata and the drive spins up. Hmmph. Still works fine with USB. I check another eSata drive that has a power supply (different cable ends) and it works, so my eSata port and cable are good. I try a USB to power cable and it works...so I thought, problem solved but when I unplug it to move thing and then reconnect it, the eSata drive spins up and then spins down just like with the Radio Shack power supply. I reboot and try again and presto...it works again but as soon as I disconnect the power, it won't come back even if I reconnect power right away. I even tried the USB port from my HP just for the power.

    Anyway, what I'd like to do is build a battery for it...I have several Sony lithium ion batteries rated at 3.7 volt and 850mAh

    What should the power be if the 5 volt 1 amp Radio Shack power supply wasn't any good for it?

    Should I use AAA or AA batteries? NiMH or Alkaline?
     
    Zenica, Sep 9, 2008
    #1