External hdd PCB

a03dugga · 29 Mar 2012 at 01:04

Hey guys, i have a Seagate external hdd 1.5tb and the enclosure had become damaged and was causing issue so I removed the hdd from the enclosure. My question is whether i can still use this pcb board as a make-shift connector/caddy sort of thing by using a dual-micro-b cable or something else.

The actual hard drive is a ST31500541AS. A green-drive I think.
Not sure this means anything to anyone but there is voltage stats on the drive, + 5v 0.272 A
+ 12v 0.312 A

The photo of the board is below.

paradigm · 29 Mar 2012 at 07:38

You won't be able to power a 3.5" drive from USB alone, it'll need the 12v DC connector too.

I'm not sure if that PCB even passes power down the USB port, but if it does you might get away with a 2.5" drive. However judging from the traces running from the USB, it might only be electrically connected for Data- and Data+.

a03dugga · 29 Mar 2012 at 07:53

A good straightforward answer, thanks paradigm.

Purgatory · 29 Mar 2012 at 10:57

paradigm said:
However judging from the traces running from the USB, it might only be electrically connected for Data- and Data+.

Yup correct it is data only from them traces coming from the USB. So the power supply will still be needed to power any drive added to it.

a03dugga · 29 Mar 2012 at 21:15

Okay cheers, pal. How bad would those capacitors shock me? Theoretically of course.
Thinking about using it once or so without a shell or cover for it.

lord filbuster · 29 Mar 2012 at 21:23

They won't shock you. 12v is harmless.