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+--- Thread: Powering two disks from RockPro64 (/showthread.php?tid=20195)
Powering two disks from RockPro64 - some_pinephone_user - 02-19-2026
Hello all. I'm thinking about following option:
connect one 2.5" HDD to a USB3.0 port and second HDD to a USB-C port. Can be both powered on simultaneoulsy only from USB?
If I transfer data from one disk to another will the data transfer be too slow because both disk are on the same USB3 controller?
What if I connect the second disk to a USB2 port?
Only one disk will be working 24/7. The other one will only be turned on for weekly backups.
RE: Powering two disks from RockPro64 - evilbunny - 02-19-2026
The USB ports don't have enough power for that unless the drives are externally powered
RE: Powering two disks from RockPro64 - some_pinephone_user - 02-19-2026
(02-19-2026, 06:57 PM)evilbunny Wrote: The USB ports don't have enough power for that unless the drives are externally powered
That is what I suspected, thank you. Right now one drive hangs on USB3 port without external power, but I suspect that the whole power delivery is divided between all USB ports, and that is why two drives are impossible without external power right?
RE: Powering two disks from RockPro64 - evilbunny - 02-24-2026
(02-19-2026, 09:31 PM)some_pinephone_user Wrote: and that is why two drives are impossible without external power right?
Sorry for the belated reply, missed it.
The way I get round such limitations is by using a powered external USB hub.