Can I use a MOLEX to SATA power cable adapter to power a WD20EARS or other existing 2TB HDDs.

I ask this because the adapter doesn't supply the 3.3v.

 

Do the current HDDs use the 3.3v supply?

 

I would use a splitter like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812200161&cm_re=power_splitter-_-12-200-161-_-Product.

All the 2T. disks in my array do not use the 3.3 volt line. I have disks from Western Digital, Seagate, Hitachi and Samsung. I am not aware of any desktop drives that require the 3.3 volt (orange) line.

I would use a splitter like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812200161&cm_re=power_splitter-_-12-200-161-_-Product.

 

This still only splits the 5v, 12v and ground power signals.

 

I would use a splitter like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812200161&cm_re=power_splitter-_-12-200-161-_-Product.

 

This still only splits the 5v, 12v and ground power signals.

 

Didn't know that thank you.  The Y splitters I use DO and look like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=12-198-015&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Page=2#scrollFullInfo but I thought the others were more elegant idea.  Didn't see the wiring

Aren't hard drives all powered by the 12V rail?  Yes, you can use molex to sata adapters.

I think it's hard to power 12 or more drives with one PSU and NOT have to use those adaptors/splitters.

I've only seen drives that use the 5V and 12V power lines. Heck, even laptop drives only use the 5V line and I have a molex to SATA power for my laptop drive with only the 5V and ground wires.

 

Maybe some SSD's are using the 3.3V line? Doesn't really matter for an unRAID server though because using SSD's in the array of an unRAID server makes no sense today (maybe one day in the future they will).

 

Peter