ratbuddy
01-13-08, 08:30 PM
So I'm going to tackle this project in the next week or two. The plan is to make an external enclosure that will hold 4 HD's and connect to my rig via eSATA. While I probably won't be hotswapping or anything like that, I would like to be able to change drives around without having to remove a back panel and change plugs around. I'm going to hardmount the cables in place behind where the drives slide into the enclosure.
First piece of the puzzle is going to be a cage, possible the lower case from a Smilodon case pending a classifieds deal. I'm trying to figure out an internal wiring solution. I'm thinking this will be the part connected to the drives:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812203027
I'm thinking the normal SATA connector end will be tweaked so it can be pulled out from a drive without having to squeeze it. That part should be easy enough. Also gonna have to change the gender of the eSATA side of the cable, this is the only part I could find on newegg that would do it:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812203033
Done that way would require 4 of the gender changers and 4 of the little cables, costing $36 for all. Seems high.
The other option I'm considering is using an eSATA bracket with 2 ports, like this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812119021
That seems like a better option, although 11" of cable is gonna be a bit much, I can deal with that for $10 for 2 compared with $36 for the other parts.
One area I have no idea on is power. My mobo came with an eSATA bracket similar to the one linked above, except it has a molex in the middle between the 2 eSATA ports. I'm guessing I'll need to power the drives somehow. Is this the answer?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812119010
I suppose I'd need 2 of those splitter/adapters to power 4 drives. My thought is to run a single molex from my mobo's eSATA bracket to an input on the external cage, and one of these inside the enclosure:
http://www.svc.com/4pinpowsupmo.html
This should power the other 3 drives:
http://www.svc.com/ad-y-sata-02m.html
I think that's everything. Parts cost should be under $50 including shipping and the drive cage. If it's gonna be a waste and I can get a 4 bay eSATA cage with wiring and all for less, someone stop me before it's too late. Other wise, please let me know if you see any better ways to accomplish the project, have experience to share, or just wanna tell me I'm an idiot. I can take it :p
Mods, if I put this in the wrong section, I apologize, and please feel free to move it.
First piece of the puzzle is going to be a cage, possible the lower case from a Smilodon case pending a classifieds deal. I'm trying to figure out an internal wiring solution. I'm thinking this will be the part connected to the drives:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812203027
I'm thinking the normal SATA connector end will be tweaked so it can be pulled out from a drive without having to squeeze it. That part should be easy enough. Also gonna have to change the gender of the eSATA side of the cable, this is the only part I could find on newegg that would do it:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812203033
Done that way would require 4 of the gender changers and 4 of the little cables, costing $36 for all. Seems high.
The other option I'm considering is using an eSATA bracket with 2 ports, like this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812119021
That seems like a better option, although 11" of cable is gonna be a bit much, I can deal with that for $10 for 2 compared with $36 for the other parts.
One area I have no idea on is power. My mobo came with an eSATA bracket similar to the one linked above, except it has a molex in the middle between the 2 eSATA ports. I'm guessing I'll need to power the drives somehow. Is this the answer?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812119010
I suppose I'd need 2 of those splitter/adapters to power 4 drives. My thought is to run a single molex from my mobo's eSATA bracket to an input on the external cage, and one of these inside the enclosure:
http://www.svc.com/4pinpowsupmo.html
This should power the other 3 drives:
http://www.svc.com/ad-y-sata-02m.html
I think that's everything. Parts cost should be under $50 including shipping and the drive cage. If it's gonna be a waste and I can get a 4 bay eSATA cage with wiring and all for less, someone stop me before it's too late. Other wise, please let me know if you see any better ways to accomplish the project, have experience to share, or just wanna tell me I'm an idiot. I can take it :p
Mods, if I put this in the wrong section, I apologize, and please feel free to move it.