3.5 Inch HDD on a single USB-C Cable - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: T_guttata
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2024, 11:37:26 am
content: HiI need a solution to connect a 3.5 Inch HDD with a single cable to my PC. I need it for backups >8TB, and I don't want to mess around with additional power adapters.So basically, I'm looking for an adapter cable SATA--> USB-C, which does not need an additional power cable for 3.5 Inch HDDs.I have been searching for a long time, and such a cable does not exist. I also could not find any docking station, which works without dedicated 12V power supply.I understand that this is probably not available, because it would cause a lot of trouble due to incombatibilities. However, technically it should be not a big deal since USB can deliver anough power/current with Power Delivery.Therefore, I'm thinking of using such a cable:https://www.amazon.com/-/de/dp/B0133F30R8/ref=sr_1_1?__mk_de_DE=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&crid=102AGPJHAZ1KL&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.AOZrlC8z2WxhGfb96hBPVEXZS7Oh1rSYjIgyDuc3nmttg_79rxom1micxSu-rEtDY5XSelwPoxgnV2dqJvt9nD14KzGd_SK18AYFnrkEzMu7m9u2cx9ur0zNLATfmLX3wjnfW4lTina2yY7tTwsZOJRFAmE18y8JMq6r0AgawPyXQshYLiu8nDR3WI9Afw6gGPX9WAAV2GkPd2xFI9K1XhV2dbr-krP13wDJ8PAT9g0.jfnw7Y97qdlw0lP0sFZq8Dszx8XAjr22Vm4CqYgIyhc&dib_tag=se&keywords=usb-c%2Bsata%2Bcable&qid=1724498958&sprefix=usb-c%2Bsata%2Bcab%2Caps%2C196&sr=8-1&th=1SATA has 12V, so as long as it is conneted to USB-C and you use a USB-C Port with PD it should work, right?If 12V is not connected I could use the 3.5 Inch Version with additional 12V and use a trigger board to take the 12V directly from USB?https://www.amazon.com/-/de/dp/B0BY8H5MS1/ref=sr_1_1?__mk_de_DE=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&crid=FVG9DSE12CSV&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.efsmDq8EqzlJrwZEw3EQb9vIxFsoIP1YBp9kgS8OGTyS_8snMTYYcYRU4PANRSnSncAlE_2D3j7E6vN1KnXXHTd536FxWQ1Tj0hyHkjC_s6XY13YHI8ryKyfcEssVhJ8xlCinVXwDE5QQkmHNzG5qgh4xY_ag-Lz0gOCoe58CDIQU_9coGh_bboXAKdJwX4bomhJuX0FvylsA5QqguDEnxoCUKwHRgAaqyRFBvT-_vk.xF46eXHMolrZYCSJqwR2a9Q3_jC5PzcbNZJ1NC8Jvww&dib_tag=se&keywords=usb-c%2Btrigger%2Bboard%2B12v&qid=1724499378&sprefix=usb-c%2Btrigger%2Bboard%2B12%2Caps%2C212&sr=8-1&th=1Thanks for your help.

author: Someone
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2024, 10:50:37 pm
content: Quote from: T_guttata on August 24, 2024, 11:37:26 amUSB-C (or even thunderbolt) does not guarantee enough power is available on any port to support "full size" spinning disks. So such a product would be a support/compatibility disaster. Something might be out there from bottom of the barrel no-name suppliers/manufacturers but I doubt any reputable company would attempt it.

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2024, 03:33:31 am
content: Here is someone who made his own:https://superuser.com/questions/1658462/can-a-3-5-hard-drive-use-usb-c-as-its-only-power-input

author: BrianHG
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2024, 04:08:32 am
content: I purchased this 2 weeks ago to transfer my laptop HD to a SSD.https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07F7WDZGT?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1Note that it powered an HD fine as long as I plugged it into a USB3.0 plug. (Note that this was a laptop 2.5inch HD)It could only power a SATA SSD when plugged into both a USB2.0 and USB3.0 port on my laptop.EG: On the HP Pavilion DV6 laptops, the usb ports on the left side are USB3.0 which can deliver 3 amps at 5v. On the right side, the usb ports are USB2.0 and can only supply 1amp at 5v.If you are using a home PC, it would probably be best to use the rear USB jacks soldered right to the motherboard where there are no iffy cable extensions to a case mounted USB jack.This version comes with an AC wallwart power cable and USB-C support :https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07JGT17B8/ref=twister_B07JPHL136?_encoding=UTF8&th=1I realize you are looking for an all PC powered version, but you might be able to replace the wallwart with a second USB C with PD board in place of the wall-wart power input port.

author: T_guttata
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2024, 04:52:10 am
content: Quote from: amyk on August 25, 2024, 03:33:31 amThis is exactly what I intend to do.I just ordered an Asus Pro Art B650 Board. This is one of the few boards, which has Quick Charge 4+ implemented for the Front-USB C Port, which means it can deliver 20V@3A = 60W.Now, I see several options, but I'm not quite sure if it will work.1) I use one of the many 3.5 Inch HDD Enclosures with 12V. I use a USB-C to 12V converter to power the HDD from my front USB-C. This would mean there are 2 cables required, but they only need to be 20-30cm, since I will use the Front ports of my PC case.https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005004225761407.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.7.1293665fq7whEs&algo_pvid=535ff408-3f18-415e-9f5a-56dbd4d96b01&algo_exp_id=535ff408-3f18-415e-9f5a-56dbd4d96b01-3&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21CHF%211.29%210.55%21%21%211.49%210.64%21%40211b6c8917245612385796811e3e24%2112000028443355801%21sea%21CH%21759390563%21X&curPageLogUid=GLg6du8U7W0L&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3AHow does it work? Do those cables have a small circuit integrated to choose the voltage?2) I do exactly what was done in the linked post, use a 5V->12V Boost converter and put that in between the 5V pins of the USB and the 12V. This should then work on every USB-C port which can deliver 5V @ 3A, right?3) I hoped I can somehow use the advantage that my board provides 60W. But: The voltage is not always 12V, I can not simply connect the appropriate USB-C pins to the 12V jack, right?