Can a 3.5-inch SATA HDD be Used in Olimex Lime2 with a 2.5-inch SATA Power Connector?
If you are planning to purchase a SATA drive for your Olimex Lime2 and are considering using a 3.5-inch SATA hard drive (HDD), but are unsure if the device supports a 2.5-inch SATA 5V power connector and 3.5-inch HDD SATA port, then this article is for you.
Olimex Lime2 Device Overview
Olimex Lime2 is a low-cost, open-source development board designed for various applications like embedded systems and IoT projects. The device features an Alwinner A20 ARM Cortex-A7 dual-core processor and a Mali-400 MP2 GPU, with multiple interfaces to attach different peripherals, including SATA.
SATA Hard Drive Compatibility
The Olimex Lime2 board features a SATA connector that supports SATA II and III specifications, providing speed up to 6 Gb/s. However, the device comes with a 2.5-inch SATA power connector, which provides a 5V power supply. Typically, 3.5-inch HDDs specify two power supply requirements: 5V for data and 12V for the motor. So, it's essential to determine if the 2.5-inch SATA power connector can provide the necessary power to the 3.5-inch HDD.
Power Consumption of 3.5-inch SATA HDD
The power consumption of a 3.5-inch HDD typically ranges from 15W to 30W, while a 2.5-inch HDD ranges from 2.5W to 6W in most cases. The 2.5-inch SATA power connector in Olimex Lime2 can supply 5V with a maximum current of 1.5A. The maximum power provided by this connector can be calculated as P = V * I = 5V * 1.5A = 7.5W, which is not enough to power a standard 3.5-inch HDD.
Nonetheless, some 3.5-inch HDDs have a low power mode that allows them to work with reduced power consumption. It may be possible to use a 3.5-inch HDD with the Olimex Lime2, but it's essential to verify the HDD has a low power mode compatible with the power provided by the 2.5-inch SATA power connector.
Alternatives and Recommendations
If using a 3.5-inch HDD is essential, the recommended approach would be to use a 3.5-inch to 2.5-inch SATA HDD converter and a separate 12V power supply to ensure the proper power requirements are met. Alternatively, it would be best to consider using a 2.5-inch HDD, which is more compatible with the Olimex Lime2 board and does not require additional components for power or converters for SATA connection.
- Olimex Lime2 supports SATA II and III, up to 6 Gb/s.
- The device has a 2.5-inch SATA power connector that provides 5V, which may be insufficient for a 3.5-inch HDD.
- It is crucial to consider the power consumption of the 3.5-inch HDD and verify if it is compatible with the power provided by the 2.5-inch SATA power connector.
- Consider alternatives and recommendations like a 3.5-inch to 2.5-inch SATA HDD converter or using a 2.5-inch HDD instead.