Using USB Y Cable to power ext drive

Rhymester · 02-10-2011, 14:13

I have an LG bluray player which doubles up as a media player. I can plug in an external hard drive. Some small drives draw enough power this way to work but I have a WD drive which does not. It hasn't got a power in socket so needs to work from whatever power it can get from the host USB port. I understand that on a computer a USB Y cable would be the thing to use as this plugs into two USB ports at the same time.
However, if I use one of these on my media player I only have one USB port available and would have to plug the second plug into an adapter plugged into the mains - the sort that you might use for charging USB devices like iPods.
What worries me is that I might be pushing too much power into the drive... Anyone put my mind at rest?

Andrew

haydnwalker · 02-10-2011, 14:17

How about a powered USB Hub?

Rhymester · 02-10-2011, 14:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by haydnwalker

How about a powered USB Hub?

Yeah got one of those but it's upstairs in my 'computer room' lol ... This is in the lounge and I'm trying to keep the cabling and boxes down to a minimum and it would only get used for this one device. Might be the way I'll have to go though... Thanks.

Andrew

Kymmy · 02-10-2011, 14:24

Just because you put on perhaps a 2amp supply it doesn't mean to say that the device will use more than then it needs

Either use a USB psu or as already suggested a powered hub

Rhymester · 02-10-2011, 14:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kymmy

Just because you put on perhaps a 2amp supply it doesn't mean to say that the device will use more than then it needs

Either use a USB psu or as already suggested a powered hub

I was really surprised to find that the Western Digital drive didn't have a power in socket but my mac mini accesses it ok when plugged directly into it. My LG player gives it enough power to turn its light on but not enough to work.
Anyway... If you hear a big bang... LOL

Kymmy · 02-10-2011, 14:52

500ma is the standard current from a USB socket, you'll probably find that the LG player is more designed for solid state devices than mechanical and has a lower output.

Rhymester · 02-10-2011, 15:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kymmy

500ma is the standard current from a USB socket, you'll probably find that the LG player is more designed for solid state devices than mechanical and has a lower output.

The ironic thing is that I also have a 320gb Fujitsu Handy Drive that has got a power socket and this drive works perfectly with just the power from the USB port on the LG Player - go figure ...

Kymmy · 02-10-2011, 15:28

Current drawn will depend on interface, spin speed and manufacturer

Lord Nikon · 02-10-2011, 15:30

other option is get a 1.8" portable drive - smaller and only takes a max 500mA which is part of the USB spec.