Other External products

[rahbot]

Hi there. I'm just curious as to where to find/ what kind of power supply a Maxtor OneTouch4 640GB External Hard Drive uses; it appears the cords are both missing.

STM30640OTA3E1-RK is the serial number it looks like. Thanks for your time.

rah.

[rahbot]

er, STM306404OTA3E1-RK, actually, sorry for the typo.

[fzabkar]

Do these KB articles help?

How do I identify / differentiate between Seagate External power supplies? [204171] :

http://seagate.custkb.com/seagate/crm/selfservice/search.jsp?DocId=204171

Identifying Maxtor External Storage Power Supplies [186849]:

http://seagate.custkb.com/seagate/crm/selfservice/search.jsp?DocId=186849&NewLang=en

[rahbot]

i'm assuming this might be the correct one? i'm really not sure. what shops in the US/Canada sell these kind of power supplies? or do i have to order through Maxtor/Seagate themselves?

Message Edited by rahbot on 02-16-2010 08:43 PM

Message Edited by rahbot on 02-16-2010 08:44 PM

[fzabkar · Accepted solution]

Google gives several hits for "SYS1308-2412-W2". The prices are around $10 or less.

Otherwise look for a switchmode adapter with an output of 12V at 2 amps, centre pin positive.

[rahbot]

would a product like http://www.thesource.ca/estore/Product.aspx?language=en-CA&catalog=Online&category=AC+Adapters%2fPlu...

this work, or is 2.5a too much?

Message Edited by rahbot on 02-18-2010 10:51 PM

[fzabkar]

An adapter that supplies 2A or more is perfectly OK. The drive will only draw the amount of current that it requires.

The important thing is that the output voltage must be regulated, not unregulated. I can't be certain from the limited information on the page, but the adapter is most likely a light, switchmode type which would mean that it is in fact regulated.

The other very important thing is to make sure that the tip is installed such that the centre is positive. You will damage your drive if you get this wrong. Look for a + or - indication on the body of the tip.

[rahbot]

alright, thank you!

ah. how will i know? i called a nearby shop that has this item, and asked them if it was regulated; they said there was surprisingly little on the packaging and just listed what was on the website pretty much, but that it did come with positive and negative tips.

will there be a specific symbol on the label, or do i just kind of have to cross my fingers and hope that i didn't pay 40 dollars to blow up my hard drive?

[fzabkar]

Ask the shop to measure the output voltage with a multimeter. An unregulated supply could measure as much as 15V on no load, but a regulated supply will be very close to 12V. Measuring the voltage will also confirm that you have connected the tip with the correct polarity.

[rahbot]

AWESOME! it worked! i finally had a chance to test it out after a hectic weekend and this adapter works great, i've got all my data back & backed up! thanks so much for your help, fzabkar, i couldn't've done it without you!