Problem powering a HD caddy

RichyX · 17-04-2008 01:35AM #1

I recently bought an 2.5" external HD caddy for use with an old drive I had lying around.
Due to the lack of a PS2 socket on my laptop, I need to use an ac adapter to power it.

Here's the problem (or not), I have a 5V 2A adapter for my mp3 player that fits the caddy, but the caddy manual says it needs a 5V 1.5 amp.

Am I ok using this adapter, or could the extra 500mA outputted by it damage the caddy/HD?
The HD itself uses 1A .

I should probably know this from my years of studying physics, but then again I only did ordinary level!

The Real B-man · 17-04-2008 01:47AM

Wouldn't Worry about it Tbh should be fine

irlrobins · 17-04-2008 09:21AM

I wouldn't risk it, the extra .5 amps might be enough to fry the HD.

Alun · 17-04-2008 09:40AM

irlrobins wrote: »

I wouldn't risk it, the extra .5 amps might be enough to fry the HD.

The HD (or anything else you connect to it) will only take as much current from the power supply as it needs. For example, your average mains wall socket is capable of supplying 20A, but that doesn't mean it fries everything connected to it that needs less than that, does it? If the voltage is right, and the polarity is correct then there's no problem using a power supply that is capable of supplying more current than the attached device requires.

V = I * R

irlrobins · 17-04-2008 09:42AM

I stand corrected so.

RichyX · 21-04-2008 09:03PM

I finally got up the nerve to try it this evening.
It seems to be working properly

Problem powering a HD caddy

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