4
I have a 2.5 inch SATA SSD that I want to power from an internal USB port. The SSD requires 5 volts, so I see this as being possible.
I already have the data connection for the SSD, I just need to power it over USB. I know this is possible because I have a PCMCIA card for a different machine that draws power from a USB port in this manner.
Are these types of cables already in production somewhere? If so, where?
If they're not (I haven't found any), what would I need to do to create one? I'm unfamiliar with how SATA power cables are wired out and don't want to fry my USB card with novice testing when I have the chance of getting insight from a SU expert.
Update: I don't want data travelling over USB. As I have a SATA data cable ready for this drive, I will be mounting it in the case and running the power to an internal USB cable.
I thank all of you for your answers regarding buying an external USB case for this drive, but that's not the question I'm asking.
Tyler Faile
Posted 2011-11-16T18:45:43.703
Reputation: 2 706
Typically, one would use an eSATA port to provide both power and data to the drive. Most eSATA ports also double as a USB port. Note that because of the power differences in laptops and desktops, laptops have limitations on what devices they can power in this manor. – earthmeLon – 2011-11-16T19:57:25.100
@earthmeLon I have yet to see eSATA provide power. Do you have a link with information on this? – Canadian Luke – 2011-11-16T20:02:57.310
If you are mounting it inside the case, then why would you be trying to use USB power, and not pulling directly from the power supply? – Zoredache – 2011-11-16T21:33:20.817
Why not? I know this is possible and this may have useful application in the future. – Tyler Faile – 2011-11-16T22:02:39.857
@earthmeLon: AFAIK, you need a Power over eSata to get enough power spin a harddrive off of one port. – surfasb – 2011-11-17T03:47:40.930
The drive I'm using requires only 5v. This should work with a normal USB port. – Tyler Faile – 2011-11-17T17:06:11.140
I have an external CD drive which uses eSATAp for data and power. It's typically called an eSATA/USB combo port and has power to it. In this situation, is there a reason you can't just use a SATA power connector from your PSU in addition to a SATA data cable? Using USB seems out of the way. – nhinkle – 2011-11-17T17:18:39.523
All SATA power cables are in use and I don't want to replace PSU or split them. This is a real problem that I'm facing, and my question is about creating a cable to do this. – Tyler Faile – 2011-11-17T18:46:41.383