How to use a LaCie Rugged Drive without a computer?

[mm]

My friend has a LaCie Rugged All Terrain Hard Drive with Triple
Interface (USB and two Firewires), and he wants to buy a power
transformer so as to use it without a computer, something to do with
an ipod.

It says in the .pdf flyer on the LaCie webpage that it can be powered
by "• Optional power-supply connection (sold separately)", but they
don't have such a power supply listed on their pages. And even if
they did, it might be expensive compared to a wall wart (black box
that plugs in) that one can get at a hamfest used, or at radio shack,
or even a universal power supply that I see at a particular hamfest
each year (and cheaper than at Radio Shack).

Does anyone know what voltage the power runs at? And what amperage it
would draw?

He or someone at work might have a USB power cable, which plugs into a
USB port and also plugs into the standard round power jack. If he can
get one of these, he can measure the voltage at the round plug end.
There are two standard USB voltages, right? 12v and 5v? Can we
assume that it uses the higher value, 12 volts? Then what is the 5
volts for?

The LaCie webpage in general keeps saying only use the proper power
supply or you may damage the drive. Is there any truth to that, or is
it like tube tv's used to have written on the tubes, "Replace with
Genuine Emerson Tubes only", even when no one sold Emerson, Zenish,
Magnavox, Philco, whatever tubes. Just a way to keep people connected
to the original vendor, even though all power supplies are alike?

If he does get a 3rd-party "adapter" Doesn't he need a black box
"adapter" with somewhat higher voltage, because typically voltage
drops on one of these things when they are in use, or if it is 12v,
can we assume that standard 12 volt adapter would work?

And how do people pronounce it, La See, or Lacey? Isn't cie the
abbreviation for company is some language? I would expand an
abbreviation and say "La Companie", oui?



This is what it says about that port and a USB cable in the owners
manual:
2.3.3. USB Power Cable
In the event that the USB bus on your computer does not provide the
necessary power to operate your drive, the included USB Power Cable
connects to an available USB port on your computer. The USB ports
(either USB 2.0 or USB 1.1) on your computer will help provide power
to your LaCie drive. Attach the small end of the USB Power
Cable to the back of your LaCie drive. Attach the USB end of the USB
Power Cable to an available USB port on your computer.

Remove NOPSAM to email me..

 

[Fabien LE LEZ]

[...] standard round power jack [...]
The LaCie webpage in general keeps saying only use the proper power
supply or you may damage the drive.

There are three things to check:

- First, that "standard round power jack" can be deceptive. Sometimes
the pin in the middle is the "+", sometimes it's the "-".
- Of course, the voltage must be right. If you gives 12V to a device
that needs 5V, you'll burn something.
- If the amperage or the voltage is less than needed, the drive might
attempt to run, but will fail, and that may either corrupt data or
(sometimes) render the drive unusable.

Is there any truth to that

Some truth, yes (see above).
Also, some low-end power supplies might pretend they can deliver
1 Amp, but actually, the resulting voltage might be unstable at more
than 0.8 Amp.
But if you've got a power supply that can deliver the needed voltage
(check with a voltmeter) and, say, 50% more than the needed amperage,
that should work perfectly.

 

[Fabien LE LEZ]

Doesn't he need a black box
"adapter" with somewhat higher voltage, because typically voltage
drops on one of these things when they are in use,

Nope. A good power supply's voltage won't drop that much (see my other
message). And anyway, the one LaCie sells will see their voltage drop
about as much.

And how do people pronounce it, La See, or Lacey? Isn't cie the
abbreviation for company is some language? I would expand an
abbreviation and say "La Companie", oui?

"La Compagnie" (in French) does abbreviate down to "La Cie".

 

[Rod Speed]

My friend has a LaCie Rugged All Terrain Hard Drive
with Triple Interface (USB and two Firewires), and he
wants to buy a power transformer so as to use it
without a computer, something to do with an ipod.

It says in the .pdf flyer on the LaCie webpage that it can be
powered by ". Optional power-supply connection (sold separately)",
but they don't have such a power supply listed on their pages.

They're sure to be available tho.

And even if they did, it might be expensive compared to a wall
wart (black box that plugs in) that one can get at a hamfest used,
or at radio shack, or even a universal power supply that I see at a
particular hamfest each year (and cheaper than at Radio Shack).
Yes.

Does anyone know what voltage the power runs at?
And what amperage it would draw?

He or someone at work might have a USB power cable, which plugs into
a USB port and also plugs into the standard round power jack. If he can
get one of these, he can measure the voltage at the round plug end.

There are two standard USB voltages, right? 12v and 5v?

Nope, just one, 5V.

Can we assume that it uses the higher value, 12 volts?

Nope, doesnt even exist.

Then what is the 5 volts for?

Its the only voltage.

The LaCie webpage in general keeps saying only use the proper
power supply or you may damage the drive. Is there any truth to that,
Yes.

or is it like tube tv's used to have written on the tubes, "Replace
with Genuine Emerson Tubes only", even when no one sold
Emerson, Zenish, Magnavox, Philco, whatever tubes. Just
a way to keep people connected to the original vendor,

Nope. Nothing like.

even though all power supplies are alike?

No they arent. You must get the voltage right and
it must be able to supply enough current too.

If he does get a 3rd-party "adapter" Doesn't he need a black box
"adapter" with somewhat higher voltage, because typically voltage
drops on one of these things when they are in use, or if it is 12v,

It isnt.

can we assume that standard 12 volt adapter would work?

Nope. You can get regulated 5V supplys tho.

And how do people pronounce it, La See, or Lacey?
Isn't cie the abbreviation for company is some language?
I would expand an abbreviation and say "La Companie", oui?

Down, frogboy.

This is what it says about that port and a USB cable in the owners manual:
2.3.3. USB Power Cable
In the event that the USB bus on your computer does not provide the
necessary power to operate your drive, the included USB Power Cable
connects to an available USB port on your computer. The USB ports
(either USB 2.0 or USB 1.1) on your computer will help provide power
to your LaCie drive. Attach the small end of the USB Power
Cable to the back of your LaCie drive. Attach the USB end of the USB
Power Cable to an available USB port on your computer.

Thats pretty common with external drives with laptop drives in them.

 

[Eric Gisin]

USB drives consume up to 1A at startup, 0.5A @ 5V afterwards.
A USB powered hub might work too.

 

[John Turco]

Nope. A good power supply's voltage won't drop that much (see my other
message). And anyway, the one LaCie sells will see their voltage drop
about as much.


"La Compagnie" (in French) does abbreviate down to "La Cie".

Hello, Fabien:

His final question was right up your alley, eh? Personally, I always
thought that "Lacie" was pronounced, luh sigh' -- and judging from
some of the harsh comments I've read about "La Compagnie," lately,
"sigh" may be quite appropriate, indeed! <g>


Cordially,
John Turco <jtur@@concentric.net>