PC Review


Reply
Thread Tools Rate Thread

cooling Seagate eSATA external HDs

 
 
Timothy Daniels
Guest
Posts: n/a
 
      27th Feb 2008
Seagate makes some of its "external HDs" with eSATA
interfaces, specifically the "Free Agent Pro"
(http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/pro...o_data_movers/)
and the "eSATA External Hard Drive"
(http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/pro...ta_hard_drive/).

Unfortunately, calls to Seagate's pre-sales reps in India don't
result in information of any certitude. <understatement>

Does anyone know if these external enclosures include
a cooling fan and and how they get their power?

*TimDaniels*


 
Reply With Quote
 
 
 
 
sdlomi2
Guest
Posts: n/a
 
      27th Feb 2008

"Timothy Daniels" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:47c5cad5$0$24122$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Seagate makes some of its "external HDs" with eSATA
> interfaces, specifically the "Free Agent Pro"
> (http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/pro...o_data_movers/)
> and the "eSATA External Hard Drive"
> (http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/pro...ta_hard_drive/).
>
> Unfortunately, calls to Seagate's pre-sales reps in India don't
> result in information of any certitude. <understatement>
>
> Does anyone know if these external enclosures include
> a cooling fan and and how they get their power?
>
> *TimDaniels*
>

Look here at pics and read specifications and customer reviews--and
other models of Seagate on N'egg's same site. BTW: pic show a wall-plugged
power source. HTH, s
>> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148237 <<



 
Reply With Quote
 
Timothy Daniels
Guest
Posts: n/a
 
      27th Feb 2008

"sdlomi2" wrote:
>
> "Timothy Daniels" wrote:
>> Seagate makes some of its "external HDs" with eSATA
>> interfaces, specifically the "Free Agent Pro"
>> (http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/pro...o_data_movers/)
>> and the "eSATA External Hard Drive"
>> (http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/pro...ta_hard_drive/).
>>
>> Unfortunately, calls to Seagate's pre-sales reps in India don't
>> result in information of any certitude. <understatement>
>>
>> Does anyone know if these external enclosures include
>> a cooling fan and and how they get their power?
>>
>> *TimDaniels*
>>

> Look here at pics and read specifications and customer reviews--and other
> models of Seagate on N'egg's same site. BTW: pic show a wall-plugged power
> source. HTH, s
>>> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148237 <<

>
>


Thanks. The photo shows a power brick for the "Free Agent Pro",
but no info on method of cooling. I suspect that it's only convection.
And similar info on the "eSATA External Hard Drive" line is harder
to come by.

*TimDaniels*


 
Reply With Quote
 
wm_walsh@hotmail.com
Guest
Posts: n/a
 
      27th Feb 2008
Hi!

> Does anyone know if these external enclosures include
> a cooling fan and and how they get their power?


Well, it looks like a 3.5" drive is inside, and I don't think there is
a single USB port out there capable of supplying enough power to run a
desktop drive. Even if there was, you'd still need to get twelve
volts, which would require some sort of DC-DC converter and the
associated energy usage/loss that would bring.

I've never seen one of these close up, but I don't believe there is a
fan inside. At least I've never heard one--and previous generation
Seagate external hard drives don't have one either.

William
 
Reply With Quote
 
S.Lewis
Guest
Posts: n/a
 
      28th Feb 2008

"Timothy Daniels" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:47c5e40c$0$24125$(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> "sdlomi2" wrote:
>>
>> "Timothy Daniels" wrote:
>>> Seagate makes some of its "external HDs" with eSATA
>>> interfaces, specifically the "Free Agent Pro"
>>> (http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/pro...o_data_movers/)
>>> and the "eSATA External Hard Drive"
>>> (http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/pro...ta_hard_drive/).
>>>
>>> Unfortunately, calls to Seagate's pre-sales reps in India don't
>>> result in information of any certitude. <understatement>
>>>
>>> Does anyone know if these external enclosures include
>>> a cooling fan and and how they get their power?
>>>
>>> *TimDaniels*
>>>

>> Look here at pics and read specifications and customer reviews--and
>> other models of Seagate on N'egg's same site. BTW: pic show a
>> wall-plugged power source. HTH, s
>>>> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148237 <<

>>
>>

>
> Thanks. The photo shows a power brick for the "Free Agent Pro",
> but no info on method of cooling. I suspect that it's only convection.
> And similar info on the "eSATA External Hard Drive" line is harder
> to come by.
>
> *TimDaniels*
>



Tim -

The (desktop) Seagate FreeAgent does not have any active cooling, though it
is AC powered. I know the FreeAgentPro is an upgrade model that comes not
only eSATA capable, but also with a software bundle that isn't on the
standard model.

That said, it looks remarkably the same as the entry level model otherwise.

I have no idea about any (specifically) eSATA Seagate solutions as I haven't
seen nor used them.


Stew


 
Reply With Quote
 
Arno Wagner
Guest
Posts: n/a
 
      28th Feb 2008
In comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.storage Timothy Daniels <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> Seagate makes some of its "external HDs" with eSATA
> interfaces, specifically the "Free Agent Pro"
> (http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/pro...o_data_movers/)
> and the "eSATA External Hard Drive"
> (http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/pro...ta_hard_drive/).


> Unfortunately, calls to Seagate's pre-sales reps in India don't
> result in information of any certitude. <understatement>


> Does anyone know if these external enclosures include
> a cooling fan and and how they get their power?


> *TimDaniels*


It will have some brick-type PSU. USB ports can deliver up to 2.5W
each (high-power ports), while even lean 3.5" HDDs go up to 15W
or so on start-up. So unless they tie 8 high-power ports together
(add two for the DC-DC converters) and put in 5-to-12V step up
converters for 20W (expensive) this is a complete no-go. Technically
feasible though, but unworkable in practice.

As to cooling, unless they explicitely claim a fan, it is safe to
assume there is none. At least eSATA lets you monitor the temperature,
but I think currently you cannot trust any pre-packaged drive at
all and external an DIY enclosure only if somebody has reviewed its
thermal characteristics.

My current approach is to be prepared to throw it away
if it does not work out. A sad state of affairs, I know.

Arno


 
Reply With Quote
 
Timothy Daniels
Guest
Posts: n/a
 
      28th Feb 2008
"S.Lewis" wrote:
> "Timothy Daniels" wrote:
>>
>> "sdlomi2" wrote:
>>>
>>> "Timothy Daniels" wrote:
>>>> Seagate makes some of its "external HDs" with eSATA
>>>> interfaces, specifically the "Free Agent Pro"
>>>> (http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/pro...o_data_movers/)
>>>> and the "eSATA External Hard Drive"
>>>> (http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/pro...ta_hard_drive/).
>>>>
>>>> Unfortunately, calls to Seagate's pre-sales reps in India don't
>>>> result in information of any certitude. <understatement>
>>>>
>>>> Does anyone know if these external enclosures include
>>>> a cooling fan and and how they get their power?
>>>>
>>>> *TimDaniels*
>>>>
>>> Look here at pics and read specifications and customer reviews--and other
>>> models of Seagate on N'egg's same site. BTW: pic show a wall-plugged power
>>> source. HTH, s
>>>>> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148237 <<
>>>
>>>

>>
>> Thanks. The photo shows a power brick for the "Free Agent Pro",
>> but no info on method of cooling. I suspect that it's only convection.
>> And similar info on the "eSATA External Hard Drive" line is harder
>> to come by.
>>
>> *TimDaniels*
>>

>
>
> Tim -
>
> The (desktop) Seagate FreeAgent does not have any active cooling, though it is
> AC powered. I know the FreeAgentPro is an upgrade model that comes not only
> eSATA capable, but also with a software bundle that isn't on the standard
> model.
>
> That said, it looks remarkably the same as the entry level model otherwise.
>
> I have no idea about any (specifically) eSATA Seagate solutions as I haven't
> seen nor used them.
>
>
> Stew



Thanks. I guess I'll have to brew up an external eSATA HD
using a Kingwin enclosure. I know those things have a cooling
fan.

*TimDaniels*


 
Reply With Quote
 
Timothy Daniels
Guest
Posts: n/a
 
      28th Feb 2008
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> Hi!
>
>> Does anyone know if these external enclosures include
>> a cooling fan and and how they get their power?

>
> Well, it looks like a 3.5" drive is inside, and I don't think there is
> a single USB port out there capable of supplying enough power to run a
> desktop drive. Even if there was, you'd still need to get twelve
> volts, which would require some sort of DC-DC converter and the
> associated energy usage/loss that would bring.
>
> I've never seen one of these close up, but I don't believe there is a
> fan inside. At least I've never heard one--and previous generation
> Seagate external hard drives don't have one either.
>
> William


I've been noticing that cooling fans are hard to find in
"external HDs". Maybe it's the noise factor?

*TimDaniels*


 
Reply With Quote
 
Timothy Daniels
Guest
Posts: n/a
 
      28th Feb 2008
"Arno Wagner" wrote:
> Timothy Daniels wrote:
>> Seagate makes some of its "external HDs" with eSATA
>> interfaces, specifically the "Free Agent Pro"
>> (http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/pro...o_data_movers/)
>> and the "eSATA External Hard Drive"
>> (http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/pro...ta_hard_drive/).

>
>> Unfortunately, calls to Seagate's pre-sales reps in India don't
>> result in information of any certitude. <understatement>

>
>> Does anyone know if these external enclosures include
>> a cooling fan and and how they get their power?

>
>> *TimDaniels*

>
> It will have some brick-type PSU. USB ports can deliver up to 2.5W
> each (high-power ports), while even lean 3.5" HDDs go up to 15W
> or so on start-up. So unless they tie 8 high-power ports together
> (add two for the DC-DC converters) and put in 5-to-12V step up
> converters for 20W (expensive) this is a complete no-go. Technically
> feasible though, but unworkable in practice.
>
> As to cooling, unless they explicitely claim a fan, it is safe to
> assume there is none. At least eSATA lets you monitor the temperature,
> but I think currently you cannot trust any pre-packaged drive at
> all and external an DIY enclosure only if somebody has reviewed its
> thermal characteristics.
>
> My current approach is to be prepared to throw it away
> if it does not work out. A sad state of affairs, I know.
>
> Arno
>
>


I've had some very good luck with HD longevity, and I think it
has to do with the generous airflow which keeps the HDs cool.
Since the external HD doesn't have to be on all the time, I think
I'll take a chance with a Kingwin eSATA box that does have a
cooling fan. (They only cost about $30 online.) The fan sits flat
with the circuit card on the HD, just like on my Kingwin slide-out
HD tray, and that HD never even gets up to body temp.

*TimDaniels*


 
Reply With Quote
 
Robert McMillan
Guest
Posts: n/a
 
      28th Feb 2008
You could also try the Antec MX-1 enclosure. It has a fan that is completely
silemt and supports drives up to 750GB using esata or usb.
"Timothy Daniels" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:47c65cb2$0$6136$(E-Mail Removed)...
> "S.Lewis" wrote:
>> "Timothy Daniels" wrote:
>>>
>>> "sdlomi2" wrote:
>>>>
>>>> "Timothy Daniels" wrote:
>>>>> Seagate makes some of its "external HDs" with eSATA
>>>>> interfaces, specifically the "Free Agent Pro"
>>>>> (http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/pro...o_data_movers/)
>>>>> and the "eSATA External Hard Drive"
>>>>> (http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/pro...ta_hard_drive/).
>>>>>
>>>>> Unfortunately, calls to Seagate's pre-sales reps in India don't
>>>>> result in information of any certitude. <understatement>
>>>>>
>>>>> Does anyone know if these external enclosures include
>>>>> a cooling fan and and how they get their power?
>>>>>
>>>>> *TimDaniels*
>>>>>
>>>> Look here at pics and read specifications and customer reviews--and
>>>> other models of Seagate on N'egg's same site. BTW: pic show a
>>>> wall-plugged power source. HTH, s
>>>>>> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148237 <<
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> Thanks. The photo shows a power brick for the "Free Agent Pro",
>>> but no info on method of cooling. I suspect that it's only convection.
>>> And similar info on the "eSATA External Hard Drive" line is harder
>>> to come by.
>>>
>>> *TimDaniels*
>>>

>>
>>
>> Tim -
>>
>> The (desktop) Seagate FreeAgent does not have any active cooling, though
>> it is AC powered. I know the FreeAgentPro is an upgrade model that comes
>> not only eSATA capable, but also with a software bundle that isn't on the
>> standard model.
>>
>> That said, it looks remarkably the same as the entry level model
>> otherwise.
>>
>> I have no idea about any (specifically) eSATA Seagate solutions as I
>> haven't seen nor used them.
>>
>>
>> Stew

>
>
> Thanks. I guess I'll have to brew up an external eSATA HD
> using a Kingwin enclosure. I know those things have a cooling
> fan.
>
> *TimDaniels*
>


 
Reply With Quote
 
 
 
Reply

Thread Tools
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Re: eSATA External HDD Clark Windows Vista Hardware 1 1st Jan 2009 10:04 PM
Re: eSATA External HDD Timothy Davis [MSFT] Windows Vista Hardware 0 1st Jan 2009 09:48 PM
Re: eSATA External HDD Kerry Brown Windows Vista Hardware 0 1st Jan 2009 09:46 PM
cooling Seagate eSATA external HDs Timothy Daniels Storage Devices 46 10th Mar 2008 04:58 PM
eSATA (external SATA) Timothy Daniels DIY PC 0 14th Mar 2007 05:17 PM


Features
 

Advertising
 

Newsgroups
 


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 04:58 AM.