HDD on batteries

[convoy hunter]

Hello
I was wondering if you can make a pc hdd to spin just by batteries.
If it is possible then how much voltage do I need and where should I connect the battery (which of the 4 pins)?

[Feuer Frei!]

Do you want to write data? Or just to make it spin/turn?
Strange idea :03: Care to share?

Some disks won't spin until they receive a
command from the controller, or they have the correct option jumper selected.
The hard drive would normally require two supply rails.
+5 Volt and +12 Volt DC.
These supply rails will need to supply a fairly heavy current mainly for the start-up of the spindle motor.
They should both be regulated voltages so as to avoid over voltage damage to the sensitive electronics.

Current drain would probably vary depending on the age and size (physical) of the drive, as well as the number of heads.
You could use a 12 volt battery and use a 5 volt regulator off that. 12 volts is usually used for the spindle and positioning motor, and the 5 volts is for the logic.

But...
if the 9 volt battery is one of those rectangular ones, it probably won't run for long.

[convoy hunter]

I just want it to spin.
Then I will put timed LEDs and that way I plan to make a clock.

[Feuer Frei!]

I just want it to spin.
Then I will put timed LEDs and that way I plan to make a clock.

Aha, you're thinking this then (sort of):

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/6913/1ywwg158.jpg

"The central part of the drive is removed to slot in a quartz drive to keep the clock going. While an acrylic stand keeps the clock in an upright position. Measuring about 4″w x 6″h, the clock is powered by a single AA battery."

SOURCE (http://www.thedesignblog.org/entry/hard-drive-clock-geeky-gift-for-holiday-season/)

Novel idea.

[convoy hunter]

no! no! of course not! I mean this http://alan-parekh.com/projects/hard-drive-clock/

[Feuer Frei!]

no! no! of course not! I mean this http://alan-parekh.com/projects/hard-drive-clock/
Ah yep, my bad, sorry. You mentioned the LED's which should have given it away.
Nice project, how long do you think it will take you?

[convoy hunter]

I don't know how much time it is going to take, but I think a lot 'cause I don't expect it to work in the first try:O:

[Tessa]

no! no! of course not! I mean this http://alan-parekh.com/projects/hard-drive-clock/

You need a seriously old skool drive to make the most of it, the old full size scsi drives are perfect; there massively large yet still in the regular storage hardware category that is still in use. Nothing like using platters from the really really old days :O: The more outdated the drive the better its impact will be.

[convoy hunter]

You need a seriously old skool drive to make the most of it, the old full size scsi drives are perfect; there massively large yet still in the regular storage hardware category that is still in use. Nothing like using platters from the really really old days :O: The more outdated the drive the better its impact will be.
I am using my old IDE drive from an XBOX which I have bought in 2002
but have changed the disk because this one (which are talking about) was clicking and cannot read any data. Only the motor works.:D