How to power a 3.5" WD HDD with an external LPS

[hicr49]

Hi, I have a 3.5" WD 10TB HDD (bare drive) which I would like to power it with an external power supply (eg. HPLEX, SOtM SPS-500, etc) through the drive's SATA power. It'll be use for music storage only on an Intel NUC.  The drive is rated 5v/12v.  Just wondering if I should set the power supply at 5V or 12V?  Or is there a better way to provide clean power to a HDD?

Many thanks!

[Lauritsvd]

1 hour ago, hicr49 said:

Hi, I have a 3.5" WD 10TB HDD (bare drive) which I would like to power it with an external power supply (eg. HPLEX, SOtM SPS-500, etc) through the drive's SATA power. It'll be use for music storage only on an Intel NUC.  The drive is rated 5v/12v.  Just wondering if I should set the power supply at 5V or 12V?  Or is there a better way to provide clean power to a HDD?

Many thanks!

 

You need both 5 AND 12 V for 3,5" WB..   Red/black Wire is 5V, and 12V is yellow/black.

 

Or choose a 2,5" drive that only need 5V.

[hicr49]

Thanks @Lauritsvd for the info. If I would like to stay with a 3.5" hdd. Is there a way (or some kind of an adapter) I can use to power the HDD with two lps (one at 5V and one at 12V) without using an HDD enclosure? Or is using a HDD enclosure my only option? 

[hicr49]

Digging around little more and guess this might be the best option to externally power a 3.5" hdd with an LPS?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005TWE5E6/ref=psdc_1161760_t2_B0035UETHW

 

Unless there's other option that can provide better SQ/cleaner power for the 3.5" hdd...

[sandyk]

5 hours ago, hicr49 said:

Digging around little more and guess this might be the best option to externally power a 3.5" hdd with an LPS?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005TWE5E6/ref=psdc_1161760_t2_B0035UETHW

 

Unless there's other option that can provide better SQ/cleaner power for the 3.5" hdd...

 

Given it's small form factor, it almost certainly uses switching regulators, which is not a good idea for the best SQ.

[hicr49]

True, and I think you are correct that these use switching regulators. However, I don't see any other way to power a 3.5" HDD without using an hdd enclosure which always convert into USB out.

Or is there an alternate option out there?

[sandyk]

5 minutes ago, hicr49 said:

True, and I think you are correct that these use switching regulators. However, I don't see any other way to power a 3.5" HDD without using an hdd enclosure which always convert into USB out.

Or is there an alternate option out there?

 I don't know about presently available enclosures, but some had an eSata input option as well.

It was even possible to extend a short SATA cable from the PC through an opening in the PC's case through an opening in the enclosure.

 There are 12V 1.5A SMPS adaptors available on ebay but you would need to check the output plug's compatibility.

 Sometimes , despite being SMPS, you can obtain an audible improvement by earthing the -VE side of it's output.

[hicr49]

Thanks @sandyk. That's right, I forgot about those eSata enclosure which I'll look into. 

I'm using the HDD on an Intel NUC, and I believe it's board provided hard drive power is 5V (for 2.5" HDD) only.