USB to SATA 2.5 hack to use on Sata 3.5

[domas]

I have a usb controller from external 2.5" hard drive. It supplies +5V from usb port. Therefore it does not function on 3,5" SATA drive (missing 12V input).
Typically 2,5" drives say +5V 0,7A on them
Typically 3,5" drives say +5V 0,7A and +12V 0,55A on them
Pins on the board of controller that are supposed to be +3.3V and +12V are not connected anywhere.

What if i used the same controller and added a step up converter for 12V?

Total load taken max values of hard drive and 100% efficiency of step up converter would be 0,7A + (12/5*0,55) = 2.02A @ 5V

Would this work and would it cook the f.. out of my usb port? I have PowerShare ports on my laptop.

I would use something like this:
http://www.eleccircuit.com/lm2577-5v...age-regulator/

[brethin]

Re: USB to SATA 2.5 hack to use on Sata 3.5

3.5 drives can run much higher than .7A +5v, .55A +12v. If I were looking to convert the 2.5 drive controller to support 3.5 drives I would want at least 1.5A +5V and 1.5A +12V, so just adding a step up converter for 12V would not do the trick as I am sure that controller would not support that kind of load. Without a outside power supply your USB port will not provide near enough power to do what you want.

[ddscentral]

Re: USB to SATA 2.5 hack to use on Sata 3.5

USB only provides up to 0.5A at +5V.

You could probably use a 2.5 converter (since it's just a USB to SATA bridge) but you would need to power the drive externally.

3.5" drive requires an enclosure with it's own PSU to be used as external drive.

[domas]

Re: USB to SATA 2.5 hack to use on Sata 3.5

I know that it normaly requires +12V ext supply. I am just trying to think of a less complex solution. My laptop has 2x usb 3.0, 1 USB 2.0 Powershare, and one eSata + powershare port. The last one should supply +12v, but it is a grey area as this standard was never standartized by any organization. Again, I would need a separate cable for that.

500mA output is old standard, some people say that powershare has up to two amps, and usb 3.0 has more than 500mA.. Info is not confirmed though.
What if i used two ports from my computer, one for 5V and data, another just for 12V?

Will investigate. I have two 3.5 drives to test, and one 2.5 controller. The problem is that if i hook the HDD directly to ATX PS then the controller plug doesn't fit for data as the controllers plug is a single unit for data and power, if you understand me. Than i do have to use extension cable for data between controller and HDD, which i do not have, as normal sata cables are Female-Female and i need male-female for this purpose.

Will continue to look for solutions

[brethin]

Re: USB to SATA 2.5 hack to use on Sata 3.5

Its actually 400ma per port so it is possible to power it all via usb if the controller will handle the load and you don't mind using 4 usb ports all at the same time (1 for data and 3 for the extra power) for just for 1 drive. That's why you never see external 3.5 drives powered just from USB. Many 2.5 drives require 2 usb ports just for this reason.

[domas]

Re: USB to SATA 2.5 hack to use on Sata 3.5

Also for powershare ports?
Especially for eSATA+powershare port?

[brethin]

Re: USB to SATA 2.5 hack to use on Sata 3.5

Before we go any further is the 2.5 usb controller sata or PATA (I assumed PATA). Because if you have eSata ports just connect the 2.5 drive to that and skip the 2.5 external controller.

[domas]

Re: USB to SATA 2.5 hack to use on Sata 3.5

all of the drives i was talking about are sata.

You need a special adapter cable for esata+powershare port to hdd anyway, i guess? But if that was a solution, would a combo esata/powershare port supply enough of 12V to 3,5 sata HDD?

I will snap some pics when I am home later tonight

[brethin]

Re: USB to SATA 2.5 hack to use on Sata 3.5

I suggest you read this for starters.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ESATAp

Then ask your question again because it sounds like you want to connect 3.5 sata drives to a machine with eSatap ports but somehow a usb 2.5 external drive controller got tossed in the mix which is not needed to do this.

[domas]

Re: USB to SATA 2.5 hack to use on Sata 3.5

Ok, this clears things up a bit. That actually simplifies everything. Damn I didn't know what eSATA was for.

But still I am using a laptop computer, and most of sources say that they do not supply +12V even though it is eSATA/powershare combo, they mostly do for desktops only. It is definitely worth acquiring the cable if i have 12V in that hole.

And yes of course, there is no info about if my computer has 12V on the internet. Anybody got schematic for dell xps 17 L702x? No idea about mobo code.

I might try to measure voltage with DMM. I can only do that after work later tonight, and i will try to do that without shortening usb pins

I have just taken a close look to my eSATAp.. No 12V pins
On the contrary, does eSATA mean that I can now hook a drive directly and access s.m.a.r.t information that I wasn't able to do before over usb controller?

[shadow]

Re: USB to SATA 2.5 hack to use on Sata 3.5

You should be able to see the SMART information if the drive is connected through eSATA.

[ddscentral]

Re: USB to SATA 2.5 hack to use on Sata 3.5

Most USB to SATA controllers do allow access to SMART. Only some oddball controllers don't.

[domas]

Re: USB to SATA 2.5 hack to use on Sata 3.5

Well i couldn't with my crappy one. It used to be Packard Bell Ext. hdd with samsung or toshiba hdd inside, i couldn't identify who produced the controller itself though. I think this is a list of supported usb -> sata controllers: http://sourceforge.net/apps/trac/sma...ed_USB-Devices

Now I am looking for eSATAp to SATA cable with additional input of 12V. It seems that they are not on the market, so I have to buy just a normal cable an tear it aparat on day one. I hate to do so..

[domas]

Re: USB to SATA 2.5 hack to use on Sata 3.5

yaaaaaaaay found it, spent more than a day for that )
http://www.dcscsi.com/product/200.html
Now I just need to get a source for it.

[domas]

Re: USB to SATA 2.5 hack to use on Sata 3.5

yaaaaaaaay found it, spent more than a day for that )
http://www.dcscsi.com/product/200.html
Now I just need to get a source for it.

seems like you can't get one in western world

[domas]

Re: USB to SATA 2.5 hack to use on Sata 3.5

So I am still using my usb controller before i get my esata cable. Both of them will running of separate 12V P/S whenever 3.5 inch drive is hooked to it.

I have one question though. My chip OXU931S-MLCG http://www.plxtech.com/products/consumer/oxu931s on the controller is getting quite hot. not sure how much that is in degrees, i can keep my finger on it, but it is hot. Any ideas why? It is just the nature of the chip?

What about if I sinked it with a tiny heatsink? I do not have any ideas for mounting it though, i was thinking about some glue based heatsink marterial as i do not want to drill holes in the board.

I have my GF's laptop which is an ultrabook and does not have esata port so i will continue to use the controller solution. I use 2.5" 160GB drive for her backup and 3.5" 250GB drive for mine.

[joshnz]

Re: USB to SATA 2.5 hack to use on Sata 3.5

I would say it is just a hot running chip you could stick on a small heat-sink if you want.