Power Supply for 1TB Simpledrive (designed by Pininfarina)

[iws]

I have this drive http://www.simpletech.com/parts/spu351tb.htm but have
accidentally mixed up its power supply with several others. Normally this is
not a problem since the power requirements are typically found on the drive
next to the power jack. But this drive has nothing either on it or in the
instructions to suggest the power requirements. Simpletech has not answered
my emails and seems to just put cutomers like me on permanent hold when I
call the toll-free number. If anybody out there has this drive and can give
me a description of the power supply for it, I should be able to identify it
amongst my collection. Thanks for any help!

 

[Arno]

I have this drive http://www.simpletech.com/parts/spu351tb.htm but have
accidentally mixed up its power supply with several others. Normally this is
not a problem since the power requirements are typically found on the drive
next to the power jack. But this drive has nothing either on it or in the
instructions to suggest the power requirements. Simpletech has not answered
my emails and seems to just put cutomers like me on permanent hold when I
call the toll-free number. If anybody out there has this drive and can give
me a description of the power supply for it, I should be able to identify it
amongst my collection. Thanks for any help!

Interesting problem! And truly bad product desing....

Arno

 

[Bob Knowlden]

I'm not sure that this covers all models, but the user guide is:

http://www.simpletech.com/support/guides/user-guides/60000-00146-001.pdf

Not much there, but it says that the external PSU is 5V, 1.0A. That's not
enough to power a 1TB drive, but perhaps enough additional power is
available through the USB port to make up the difference.

Do you feel lucky?

 

[Bob Knowlden]

I'm not sure that this covers all models, but the user guide is:

http://www.simpletech.com/support/guides/user-guides/60000-00146-001.pdf

Not much there, but it says that the external PSU is 5V, 1.0A. That's not
enough to power a 1TB drive, but perhaps enough additional power is
available through the USB port to make up the difference.

Do you feel lucky?

 

[iws]

| I'm not sure that this covers all models, but the user guide is:
|
| http://www.simpletech.com/support/guides/user-guides/60000-00146-001.pdf
|
| Not much there, but it says that the external PSU is 5V, 1.0A. That's not
| enough to power a 1TB drive, but perhaps enough additional power is
| available through the USB port to make up the difference.
|
| Do you feel lucky?
|

Not really! The drive you link to is their portable one which is
considerably smaller than mine - mine is a 3.5" desktop drive while their
portables are 2.5" ones that require less power. I'm almost certain mine
takes 12 volts.

 

[iws]

| > I have this drive http://www.simpletech.com/parts/spu351tb.htm but have
| > accidentally mixed up its power supply with several others. Normally
this is
| > not a problem since the power requirements are typically found on the
drive
| > next to the power jack. But this drive has nothing either on it or in
the
| > instructions to suggest the power requirements. Simpletech has not
answered
| > my emails and seems to just put cutomers like me on permanent hold when
I
| > call the toll-free number. If anybody out there has this drive and can
give
| > me a description of the power supply for it, I should be able to
identify it
| > amongst my collection. Thanks for any help!
|
| Interesting problem! And truly bad product desing....
|
| Arno

I may just have to check the configurations of the candidate supplies and
hope that their polarities are all the same then check which power plugs fit
the drive (when it's off.) After that, flip a coin maybe. Or buy the exact
same drive again at Fry's Electronics, check the power adapter used then
return it.

 

[Franc Zabkar]

I have this drive http://www.simpletech.com/parts/spu351tb.htm but have
accidentally mixed up its power supply with several others. Normally this is
not a problem since the power requirements are typically found on the drive
next to the power jack. But this drive has nothing either on it or in the
instructions to suggest the power requirements. Simpletech has not answered
my emails and seems to just put cutomers like me on permanent hold when I
call the toll-free number. If anybody out there has this drive and can give
me a description of the power supply for it, I should be able to identify it
amongst my collection. Thanks for any help!

Can you open the case? If so, then identify the power pins on your
drive and check for continuity with your power socket using a
multimeter. That should give you the required voltage(s) and the
correct polarity.

Another guide would the polarity and rating of any electrolytic
capacitors.

A photo might help also.

- Franc Zabkar

 

[Arno]

| > I have this drive http://www.simpletech.com/parts/spu351tb.htm but have
| > accidentally mixed up its power supply with several others. Normally
this is
| > not a problem since the power requirements are typically found on the
drive
| > next to the power jack. But this drive has nothing either on it or in
the
| > instructions to suggest the power requirements. Simpletech has not
answered
| > my emails and seems to just put cutomers like me on permanent hold when
I
| > call the toll-free number. If anybody out there has this drive and can
give
| > me a description of the power supply for it, I should be able to
identify it
| > amongst my collection. Thanks for any help!
|
| Interesting problem! And truly bad product desing....
|
| Arno

I may just have to check the configurations of the candidate supplies and
hope that their polarities are all the same then check which power plugs fit
the drive (when it's off.) After that, flip a coin maybe. Or buy the exact
same drive again at Fry's Electronics, check the power adapter used then
return it.

First you can check whether polarity on all your PSUs is the same.
On the 12V only supplies si Have, all have ground on the outside
and +12V in the center.

You can also open the drive and look which pin is ground. Typically
ground is wired in black. You could also use a multimeter and
measure resistances from obvious ground points on the inside.
Often the drive case is ground. With a traditional 4-pin
molex connector, the wires in the middle are ground.

Arno

 

[Eric Gisin]

Probably 16-20V, possibly AC. The enclosure will have 5V/12V regulation.

 

[Arno]

| I'm not sure that this covers all models, but the user guide is:
|
| http://www.simpletech.com/support/guides/user-guides/60000-00146-001.pdf
|
| Not much there, but it says that the external PSU is 5V, 1.0A. That's not
| enough to power a 1TB drive, but perhaps enough additional power is
| available through the USB port to make up the difference.
|
| Do you feel lucky?
|

Not really! The drive you link to is their portable one which is
considerably smaller than mine - mine is a 3.5" desktop drive while their
portables are 2.5" ones that require less power. I'm almost certain mine
takes 12 volts.

All current 3.5" drives take 12V and 5V. It is relatively easy to
use only a 12V supply and generate 5V from the 12V inside the case.
While possible, generating 12V from 5V is far more expensive and
not done for this application.

2.5" drives typically only take 5V.

Arno

 

[Arno]

Can you open the case? If so, then identify the power pins on your
drive and check for continuity with your power socket using a
multimeter. That should give you the required voltage(s) and the
correct polarity.

Another guide would the polarity and rating of any electrolytic
capacitors.

A photo might help also.

Good idea. There are enough competent people here to
interpret that. Post a photograph of the insiodes and
a close-up of the power inlet.

Arno

 

[Bob Knowlden]

Right.

I wasn't sure of the power supplied on a USB port, so I looked it up. The
standard is also 5V, at no great level of current. I agree that a 5 to 12
volt converter in an external housing would be improbable.

The link from another poster (Gman) for a newer model (with both USB and
Firewire interfaces) shows what may be a single-pin power connector (not
counting ground).

I have several external drive enclosures with varying levels of cheapness.
(No rampant stallions in the lot.) All use multipin connectors.

Sorry to be unhelpful.

 

[iws]

| > | > | > I have this drive http://www.simpletech.com/parts/spu351tb.htm but
have
| > | > accidentally mixed up its power supply with several others. Normally
| > this is
| > | > not a problem since the power requirements are typically found on
the
| > drive
| > | > next to the power jack. But this drive has nothing either on it or
in
| > the
| > | > instructions to suggest the power requirements. Simpletech has not
| > answered
| > | > my emails and seems to just put cutomers like me on permanent hold
when
| > I
| > | > call the toll-free number. If anybody out there has this drive and
can
| > give
| > | > me a description of the power supply for it, I should be able to
| > identify it
| > | > amongst my collection. Thanks for any help!
| > |
| > | Interesting problem! And truly bad product desing....
| > |
| > | Arno
|
| > I may just have to check the configurations of the candidate supplies
and
| > hope that their polarities are all the same then check which power plugs
fit
| > the drive (when it's off.) After that, flip a coin maybe. Or buy the
exact
| > same drive again at Fry's Electronics, check the power adapter used then
| > return it.
|
| First you can check whether polarity on all your PSUs is the same.
| On the 12V only supplies si Have, all have ground on the outside
| and +12V in the center.
|
| You can also open the drive and look which pin is ground. Typically
| ground is wired in black. You could also use a multimeter and
| measure resistances from obvious ground points on the inside.
| Often the drive case is ground. With a traditional 4-pin
| molex connector, the wires in the middle are ground.
|
| Arno

The drive has the usual power pin configuration indicated as center pin
positive as expected. Opening the drive will void the warranty according to
a sticker I'd have to remove. Interestingly, the drive is assembled in the
US.

 

[iws]

| > | > | > I have this drive http://www.simpletech.com/parts/spu351tb.htm but
have
| > | > accidentally mixed up its power supply with several others. Normally
| > this is
| > | > not a problem since the power requirements are typically found on
the
| > drive
| > | > next to the power jack. But this drive has nothing either on it or
in
| > the
| > | > instructions to suggest the power requirements. Simpletech has not
| > answered
| > | > my emails and seems to just put cutomers like me on permanent hold
when
| > I
| > | > call the toll-free number. If anybody out there has this drive and
can
| > give
| > | > me a description of the power supply for it, I should be able to
| > identify it
| > | > amongst my collection. Thanks for any help!
| > |
| > | Interesting problem! And truly bad product desing....
| > |
| > | Arno
|
| > I may just have to check the configurations of the candidate supplies
and
| > hope that their polarities are all the same then check which power plugs
fit
| > the drive (when it's off.) After that, flip a coin maybe. Or buy the
exact
| > same drive again at Fry's Electronics, check the power adapter used then
| > return it.
|
| First you can check whether polarity on all your PSUs is the same.
| On the 12V only supplies si Have, all have ground on the outside
| and +12V in the center.
|
| You can also open the drive and look which pin is ground. Typically
| ground is wired in black. You could also use a multimeter and
| measure resistances from obvious ground points on the inside.
| Often the drive case is ground. With a traditional 4-pin
| molex connector, the wires in the middle are ground.
|
| Arno

The drive has the usual power pin configuration indicated as center pin
positive as expected. Opening the drive will void the warranty according to
a sticker I'd have to remove. Interestingly, the drive is assembled in the
US.

 

[iws]

| > | > | > I have this drive http://www.simpletech.com/parts/spu351tb.htm but
have
| > | > accidentally mixed up its power supply with several others. Normally
| > this is
| > | > not a problem since the power requirements are typically found on
the
| > drive
| > | > next to the power jack. But this drive has nothing either on it or
in
| > the
| > | > instructions to suggest the power requirements. Simpletech has not
| > answered
| > | > my emails and seems to just put cutomers like me on permanent hold
when
| > I
| > | > call the toll-free number. If anybody out there has this drive and
can
| > give
| > | > me a description of the power supply for it, I should be able to
| > identify it
| > | > amongst my collection. Thanks for any help!
| > |
| > | Interesting problem! And truly bad product desing....
| > |
| > | Arno
|
| > I may just have to check the configurations of the candidate supplies
and
| > hope that their polarities are all the same then check which power plugs
fit
| > the drive (when it's off.) After that, flip a coin maybe. Or buy the
exact
| > same drive again at Fry's Electronics, check the power adapter used then
| > return it.
|
| First you can check whether polarity on all your PSUs is the same.
| On the 12V only supplies si Have, all have ground on the outside
| and +12V in the center.
|
| You can also open the drive and look which pin is ground. Typically
| ground is wired in black. You could also use a multimeter and
| measure resistances from obvious ground points on the inside.
| Often the drive case is ground. With a traditional 4-pin
| molex connector, the wires in the middle are ground.
|
| Arno

The drive has the usual power pin configuration indicated as center pin
positive as expected. Opening the drive will void the warranty according to
a sticker I'd have to remove. Interestingly, the drive is assembled in the
US.

 

[iws]

| > | > | > I have this drive http://www.simpletech.com/parts/spu351tb.htm but
have
| > | > accidentally mixed up its power supply with several others. Normally
| > this is
| > | > not a problem since the power requirements are typically found on
the
| > drive
| > | > next to the power jack. But this drive has nothing either on it or
in
| > the
| > | > instructions to suggest the power requirements. Simpletech has not
| > answered
| > | > my emails and seems to just put cutomers like me on permanent hold
when
| > I
| > | > call the toll-free number. If anybody out there has this drive and
can
| > give
| > | > me a description of the power supply for it, I should be able to
| > identify it
| > | > amongst my collection. Thanks for any help!
| > |
| > | Interesting problem! And truly bad product desing....
| > |
| > | Arno
|
| > I may just have to check the configurations of the candidate supplies
and
| > hope that their polarities are all the same then check which power plugs
fit
| > the drive (when it's off.) After that, flip a coin maybe. Or buy the
exact
| > same drive again at Fry's Electronics, check the power adapter used then
| > return it.
|
| First you can check whether polarity on all your PSUs is the same.
| On the 12V only supplies si Have, all have ground on the outside
| and +12V in the center.
|
| You can also open the drive and look which pin is ground. Typically
| ground is wired in black. You could also use a multimeter and
| measure resistances from obvious ground points on the inside.
| Often the drive case is ground. With a traditional 4-pin
| molex connector, the wires in the middle are ground.
|
| Arno

The drive has the usual power pin configuration indicated as center pin
positive as expected. Opening the drive will void the warranty according to
a sticker I'd have to remove. Interestingly, the drive is assembled in the
US.

 

[Arno]

Why in the hell would you suggest that he/she open the drive and find the
polarity when it shows right on the back of the drive that the TIP is positive
and Sleeve is ground???

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822100032

Well, the OP stated "But this drive has nothing either on it or in the
instructions to suggest the power requirements." I take that to
include polarity, since it is the only thing non-obvious.

Apart from polarity, this will be a 12V 1.5...2A psu.

Arno

 

[Arno]

| > | > | > I have this drive http://www.simpletech.com/parts/spu351tb.htm but
have
| > | > accidentally mixed up its power supply with several others. Normally
| > this is
| > | > not a problem since the power requirements are typically found on
the
| > drive
| > | > next to the power jack. But this drive has nothing either on it or
in
| > the
| > | > instructions to suggest the power requirements. Simpletech has not
| > answered
| > | > my emails and seems to just put cutomers like me on permanent hold
when
| > I
| > | > call the toll-free number. If anybody out there has this drive and
can
| > give
| > | > me a description of the power supply for it, I should be able to
| > identify it
| > | > amongst my collection. Thanks for any help!
| > |
| > | Interesting problem! And truly bad product desing....
| > |
| > | Arno
|
| > I may just have to check the configurations of the candidate supplies
and
| > hope that their polarities are all the same then check which power plugs
fit
| > the drive (when it's off.) After that, flip a coin maybe. Or buy the
exact
| > same drive again at Fry's Electronics, check the power adapter used then
| > return it.
|
| First you can check whether polarity on all your PSUs is the same.
| On the 12V only supplies si Have, all have ground on the outside
| and +12V in the center.
|
| You can also open the drive and look which pin is ground. Typically
| ground is wired in black. You could also use a multimeter and
| measure resistances from obvious ground points on the inside.
| Often the drive case is ground. With a traditional 4-pin
| molex connector, the wires in the middle are ground.
|
| Arno

The drive has the usual power pin configuration indicated as center pin
positive as expected. Opening the drive will void the warranty according to
a sticker I'd have to remove. Interestingly, the drive is assembled in the
US.

Well, so there is an indication of power polarity. Now look for
a PSU with the same polarity (marked in the type-shield) and
12V at 1.5...2A. That will do it.

Arno

 

[iws]

|I have this drive http://www.simpletech.com/parts/spu351tb.htm but have
| accidentally mixed up its power supply with several others. Normally this
is
| not a problem since the power requirements are typically found on the
drive
| next to the power jack. But this drive has nothing either on it or in the
| instructions to suggest the power requirements. Simpletech has not
answered
| my emails and seems to just put cutomers like me on permanent hold when I
| call the toll-free number. If anybody out there has this drive and can
give
| me a description of the power supply for it, I should be able to identify
it
| amongst my collection. Thanks for any help!
|
Thanks to everyone for useful advice. Based on the pics at Newegg (linked by
GMAN) and the suggestion by Arno that the adapter would have 1.5 - 2A output
at 12V, I was able to narrow the adapter down to one which I checked for
proper polarity with a multimeter. That was it and I'm back in business with
my backup drive. I'll be printing out a label for the adapter shortly.
Thanks again for the help.

 

[Arno]

|I have this drive http://www.simpletech.com/parts/spu351tb.htm but have
| accidentally mixed up its power supply with several others. Normally this
is
| not a problem since the power requirements are typically found on the
drive
| next to the power jack. But this drive has nothing either on it or in the
| instructions to suggest the power requirements. Simpletech has not
answered
| my emails and seems to just put cutomers like me on permanent hold when I
| call the toll-free number. If anybody out there has this drive and can
give
| me a description of the power supply for it, I should be able to identify
it
| amongst my collection. Thanks for any help!
|
Thanks to everyone for useful advice. Based on the pics at Newegg (linked by
GMAN) and the suggestion by Arno that the adapter would have 1.5 - 2A output
at 12V, I was able to narrow the adapter down to one which I checked for
proper polarity with a multimeter. That was it and I'm back in business with
my backup drive. I'll be printing out a label for the adapter shortly.
Thanks again for the help.

Very good and you are welcome.

Arno