How do I know which power adaptor to buy?

Ms_MoneyPenny_2

Hi,

can anyone help with this one?

I recently got a Freecom external hard drive - mobile classic.

The idea is it doesn't need an extra power source but I do as my laptop is older.

So, I went to freecom website to purchase the adaptor but the oly one there says not compatible with mobile classic! not helpful!

the only info I have on the side of the packaging is contact us for ac power adaptor if needed and on the product itself it says 5v DC where you'd plug in.

There are so many adaptors out there I don't know what I am looking for - any ideas?

cheers

d900

i can only suggest you contact freecom as id hate to recommend something and have it blow up ur hard drive.

weegie.geek

I've no idea what the connector is like on those drives, but...

All you need is a 5v power supply that can supply the right amount of current (or more), at the right polarity.

A decent regulated power supply from Maplin should do the trick. a 5v 1A supply should set you back £10-15. If you can find out what pin's negative and what pin's positive (the polarity) then you might wanna grab one of those. If you can't find out the polarity then don't chance it.

The symbol you're looking for on the hard drive looks like:



In this case the centre pin is positive, the outer ring is negative. You'd have to set the power supply to match this, or you risk killing the drive.

You'll get it cheaper than that online having said that. In fact, online you'll get a whole new caddy with power supply for it, which is probably a better bet. Just looked and I can't find any 2.5in enclosures with a power supply, they all want to be bus powered. I'm sure they're out there though.

I assume it needs two nearby USB sockets because it needs more than 500ma so has the USB Y-connector thing to get more juice from the laptop?