Powering external HDD with Raspberry Pi B.

[Silversonic]

I have an ordinary Raspberry Pi B with OSMC installed. I was hoping to be able to plug in an external HDD and play some movies off it, however I'd really like to do this with just one power slot rather than two (one for a powered USB hub and the other for the raspberry pi).

One solution is to power my Pi from the USB hub. Unfortunately my power cable compatible with the HUB is only 5V 1A so I'd have to order one with 2A+.

The other solution would be to power the external HDD through the Pi (because my power cable for the Pi is 5V 2A). I've been looking for ways to do this and the general method seems to set

Code: Select all

max_usb_current=1

in /boot/config.txt, but I can't find any information whether this command is featured for older B models.

viewtopic.php?f=29&t=100244

The OP of that topic seems to suggest that method only works with B+ and Pi 2, is this definitely true?

[kusti8]

Yes, it only works on B+ and Pi2.

[Silversonic]

Guess I'll install OSMC on my RP2 then.

Kind of annoying but I found out the 5V 2A power supply that came with my RP2 doesn't work...guess I'll have to wait for a replacement before I can try this out.

[klricks]

....
The other solution would be to power the external HDD through the Pi (because my power cable for the Pi is 5V 2A). I.....

On the B model the total current of RPi + any attached USB devices cannot exceed 750mA. If you attempt to draw more than that the RPi will become unstable. Most USB drives will not work on a B without a powered USB HUB. Maybe look for a power supply with dual 5V outputs. Or better.... get a RPi 2B model.

[fruit-uk]

I found that my Bs could run some portable drives better than B+ or Pi2.
I have a feeling that they were more tolerant of startup currents but ICBW
Those drives were generally 2.5" IDE in USB enclosures and much smaller than currently available of course