CF19,30,31,52,53,74 HDD caddy adapter

If you own or repair multiple Toughbooks, this is a handy tool to have.
This allows you to read and write to the HDD without removing it from the caddy. It converts the caddy connector to a standard SATA connector. I have several SATA to USB 3.0 adapters so I will be able to connect the caddy directly to the USB 3.0 port to edit/ load/ read a HDD in the caddy..

I tried to build one but that did not go as I planned. Some bizarre wiring issue. I spent an hour or so trying to solve the problem. More time than that was pointless considering the cost of the original adapter.
I found an original one for $60.00 with free shipping.
So I ordered one. It had to be special ordered and drop shipped from Panasonic.

Order date was Dec/10/2016. I just got notice that it shipped today via FedEx.
It is scheduled to arrive on Monday.

I will post photos and results once the adapter gets here.

CF-K30JG001

 

I may build a box of some sort to contain it with just the USB cable sticking out.
Should be easy to use those mounting holes in a plastic project box. Dremel out a hole for the caddy connector and Bob's my mothers brother.

 

When you you oerdred it from Panasonic did you mean Heartlands ?

 

Since when have you known Heartlands to ship anything FREE?

B&H photo

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1102646-REG/panasonic_cf_k30jg001_ide_eide_cable.html

It says EIDE, but we know that's wrong.

 

It arrived today

 

looks good .
a few more things like that hanging off of a '19 would make a good mobile ...
reminiscent of "skylab" or "the international space station" .

 

I fabbed up a case for the adapter.
Cell phone photos. Still too lazy to get out my real camera.
I needed longer screws. Grabbed some from a dismantled CF 30.

 

Thats looking real good so far Shawn

 

yeppers ... so far , so good .

the slicing and dicing reminds me of something i read recently on a shaving forum :
"only four stitches ... not bad ... good shave"

what was the case originally ?

 

It was a 2.5 external hard drive case. USB 3.0. Orinco brand. Using an external drive case made it a lot easier.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA1DS1MB2992

Some before photos of the case.

 

ok ... i get it now .
it looks like they need a little help with the symbols ...
they are using a *W* for voltage .

 

Thanks guys.
Hmm 2 comments of looks good SO FAR. And I thought it was done.
Suggestions on finishing it? I suppose I could fill that open gap with electrical grade silicone.

Maybe W is the Chinese symbol for Voltage.
Can you read Chinese?

 

no ...
but i do ok with chinglish .

 

Guess that came out wrong sorry. I was kinda waiting to hear how it works.

 

No problem Blair. I found it kind of funny.

Tested the setup just now.
I tried a CF 30/31 caddy and a CF 52 caddy. It works great on both. Drive shows up in Windows explorer. Just like an external usb drive. Makes it easy to use something like HpUSB to create DOS bootable drives. Or Easeus / Acronis etc..to clone a drive.
It fits fine on a CF19 caddy. I just don't have a loaded CF 19 caddy handy.

The L shaped aluminum bracket is there to prevent inserting the hard drive caddy in upside down.

The black housing adds about 1/8" to the thickness of the PCB and connector.
This actually helps because the bare adapter is kind of floppy when connected to a caddy.
The extra 1/8" snugs things up nicely.