External Hardrive Enclosure Help

ReligionStudent · 4th August 2007, 11:13 AM

I am looking for help from someone with a model HD-338-U2C external hard drive enclosure (I purchased mine at COMPUSA, which had branded it, but others also sell it). .

I need to replace the plug but cannot find mine to see the voltage. If anyone with one could look at their plug and tell me the specs, it would be great.

Thanks

bruto · 4th August 2007, 08:44 PM

By "replace the plug," I assume you mean to replace the power supply? I'm not sure mine is the same - it's an "Iomagic" enclosure, USB with an external power supply. But anyway, it's dual voltage, both 12 and 5 volts, the standard power requirements of a hard drive. It uses a mini DIN style plug. I also have an external Iomega CDRW drive which uses a similar power supply, and a similar, but not compatible, plug.

Here is a rough drawing of the diagrams that appear on the two power supplies, just in case it's of any use:IOPLugs.jpg

edited to add, in case it's unclear: the Iomega plug diagram has pin numbers 1-4, followed by voltages.

ReligionStudent · 5th August 2007, 07:39 PM

The enclosure I have is http://www.compusa.com/products/prod...ct_code=312100
It appears to have a single pin power supply, similar to power drills and speakers I have. Think of a headphone jack with a hole in the middle of the pin.

bruto · 5th August 2007, 08:21 PM

Originally Posted by ReligionStudent

The enclosure I have is http://www.compusa.com/products/prod...ct_code=312100
It appears to have a single pin power supply, similar to power drills and speakers I have. Think of a headphone jack with a hole in the middle of the pin.

That's odd. I always thought an IDE (what they seem to be calling PATA now) drive needed both voltages, so I wonder if it's being converted internally. I just looked at a couple of loose drives, and they list current consumption for both voltages, so if this enclosure is like mine and capable of running any old PATA drive, then you need both voltages somewhere down the line. My guess woud be that if the input is only one, it would be 12, since it's easier to get 5 from 12 than vice versa.

Can you go to a CompUSA store and see if you could read what's printed on the power supply?

e.t.a. I suppose it's also possible that it's designed to take the 5 volt supply off of the USB connection, since USB includes a 5 volt power supply line (some laptop drive enclosures seem to get their power that way, as does my scanner, for example). If that's the case, then you'd definitely be needing 12 from the other supply.

ReligionStudent · 6th August 2007, 08:01 PM

I certainly agree with everything you post, it make sence.

I thought of going to a COMPUSA, but all of the stores near me had huge sales and then closed. I actually thought the entire chain had just switch to online only sales.

bruto · 6th August 2007, 08:12 PM

Originally Posted by ReligionStudent

I certainly agree with everything you post, it make sence.

I thought of going to a COMPUSA, but all of the stores near me had huge sales and then closed. I actually thought the entire chain had just switch to online only sales.

There never were any in Vermont, but their web site suggests that they still have some stores.

http://www.compusa.com/locations/default.asp

ReligionStudent · 6th August 2007, 09:19 PM

Unfortunatly it all looks like they are in other states.

Zax63 · 9th August 2007, 09:14 AM

I have a Western Digital external drive that has a single pin power supply. It is 12V with the tip being positive. Not the same brand/model so try at your own risk.

4th August 2007, 11:13 AM	#1
ReligionStudent Knitter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 888	External Hardrive Enclosure Help I am looking for help from someone with a model HD-338-U2C external hard drive enclosure (I purchased mine at COMPUSA, which had branded it, but others also sell it). . I need to replace the plug but cannot find mine to see the voltage. If anyone with one could look at their plug and tell me the specs, it would be great. Thanks
	__________________ Templars are a cop out. My studies are currently under peer review, submitted to the proceedings of the national academy of emologists. --- Joobz "********" --- Randi http://www.randi.org/jr/2007-02/022307sniffex.html

4th August 2007, 08:44 PM	#2
bruto Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: way way north of Diddy Wah Diddy Posts: 11,190	By "replace the plug," I assume you mean to replace the power supply? I'm not sure mine is the same - it's an "Iomagic" enclosure, USB with an external power supply. But anyway, it's dual voltage, both 12 and 5 volts, the standard power requirements of a hard drive. It uses a mini DIN style plug. I also have an external Iomega CDRW drive which uses a similar power supply, and a similar, but not compatible, plug. Here is a rough drawing of the diagrams that appear on the two power supplies, just in case it's of any use:IOPLugs.jpg edited to add, in case it's unclear: the Iomega plug diagram has pin numbers 1-4, followed by voltages.
	__________________ "Sir, I have found you an argument; but I am not obliged to find you an understanding.(Samuel Johnson) The gods are less for their love of praise....(Wendell Berry) Last edited by bruto; 4th August 2007 at 08:47 PM.

5th August 2007, 07:39 PM	#3
ReligionStudent Knitter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 888	The enclosure I have is http://www.compusa.com/products/prod...ct_code=312100 It appears to have a single pin power supply, similar to power drills and speakers I have. Think of a headphone jack with a hole in the middle of the pin.
	__________________ Templars are a cop out. My studies are currently under peer review, submitted to the proceedings of the national academy of emologists. --- Joobz "********" --- Randi http://www.randi.org/jr/2007-02/022307sniffex.html

5th August 2007, 08:21 PM	#4
bruto Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: way way north of Diddy Wah Diddy Posts: 11,190	Originally Posted by ReligionStudent The enclosure I have is http://www.compusa.com/products/prod...ct_code=312100 It appears to have a single pin power supply, similar to power drills and speakers I have. Think of a headphone jack with a hole in the middle of the pin. That's odd. I always thought an IDE (what they seem to be calling PATA now) drive needed both voltages, so I wonder if it's being converted internally. I just looked at a couple of loose drives, and they list current consumption for both voltages, so if this enclosure is like mine and capable of running any old PATA drive, then you need both voltages somewhere down the line. My guess woud be that if the input is only one, it would be 12, since it's easier to get 5 from 12 than vice versa. Can you go to a CompUSA store and see if you could read what's printed on the power supply? e.t.a. I suppose it's also possible that it's designed to take the 5 volt supply off of the USB connection, since USB includes a 5 volt power supply line (some laptop drive enclosures seem to get their power that way, as does my scanner, for example). If that's the case, then you'd definitely be needing 12 from the other supply.
	__________________ "Sir, I have found you an argument; but I am not obliged to find you an understanding.(Samuel Johnson) The gods are less for their love of praise....(Wendell Berry) Last edited by bruto; 5th August 2007 at 08:35 PM.

6th August 2007, 08:01 PM	#5
ReligionStudent Knitter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 888	I certainly agree with everything you post, it make sence. I thought of going to a COMPUSA, but all of the stores near me had huge sales and then closed. I actually thought the entire chain had just switch to online only sales.
	__________________ Templars are a cop out. My studies are currently under peer review, submitted to the proceedings of the national academy of emologists. --- Joobz "********" --- Randi http://www.randi.org/jr/2007-02/022307sniffex.html

6th August 2007, 08:12 PM	#6
bruto Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: way way north of Diddy Wah Diddy Posts: 11,190	Originally Posted by ReligionStudent I certainly agree with everything you post, it make sence. I thought of going to a COMPUSA, but all of the stores near me had huge sales and then closed. I actually thought the entire chain had just switch to online only sales. There never were any in Vermont, but their web site suggests that they still have some stores. http://www.compusa.com/locations/default.asp
	__________________ "Sir, I have found you an argument; but I am not obliged to find you an understanding.(Samuel Johnson) The gods are less for their love of praise....(Wendell Berry)

6th August 2007, 09:19 PM	#7
ReligionStudent Knitter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 888	Unfortunatly it all looks like they are in other states.
	__________________ Templars are a cop out. My studies are currently under peer review, submitted to the proceedings of the national academy of emologists. --- Joobz "********" --- Randi http://www.randi.org/jr/2007-02/022307sniffex.html

9th August 2007, 09:14 AM	#8
Zax63 Master Poster Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 2,665	I have a Western Digital external drive that has a single pin power supply. It is 12V with the tip being positive. Not the same brand/model so try at your own risk.