Raspbmc power supply
Hello, completely new user here. I have a type b model raspberry pi, and i intend to use it as a media Centre with a standard USB external hdd and a combination keyboard/mouse (1 USB does both wirelessly) I have a standard power supply for this, but I was wondering how strong of a power supply if need for something like this.
Re: Raspbmc power supply
Define "standard".
Pi2B Mini-PC/Media Centre: ARM=1GHz (+3), Core=500MHz, v3d=500MHz, h264=333MHz, RAM=DDR2-1200 (+6/+4/+4+schmoo). Sandisk Ultra HC-I 32GB microSD card on '50=100' OCed slot (42MB/s read) running Raspbian/KODI16, Seagate 3.5" 1.5TB HDD mass storage.
Re: Raspbmc power supply
Power supply for RasPi should be 1A. More is fine, but the Pi has a 1A polyfuse so it won't ever take more than that. However, your external hard drive may require more power than the Pi can support. If it has a power plug, use it and everything else you listed should work. If it doesn't, you'll need a powered USB hub.
A 2A hub should easily power the Pi and the hard drive. If you happen to have one around with less power, give it a try before buying another one. 2A is a high, safe estimate which should leave you enough overhead for other devices.
If you do get a powered hub, test whether it back-powers the Pi through the USB ports (type A, not the micro.) If it does, you have the option of back-powering the Pi. The only drawback of this is that you bypass the 1A polyfuses, which could cause damage if there is a power surge for some reason.
If it does and this is not an acceptable risk to you, open up the hub and clip the red wire that leads to the host plug (RasPi.) By clipping this, you are severing the power link between the hub and the Pi, but leaving the ground and data wires intact so that you can still use your hard drive and keyboard through it. You will then have to run a microUSB cable from the hub to the Pi to power it through the normal power port.
A 2A hub should easily power the Pi and the hard drive. If you happen to have one around with less power, give it a try before buying another one. 2A is a high, safe estimate which should leave you enough overhead for other devices.
If you do get a powered hub, test whether it back-powers the Pi through the USB ports (type A, not the micro.) If it does, you have the option of back-powering the Pi. The only drawback of this is that you bypass the 1A polyfuses, which could cause damage if there is a power surge for some reason.
If it does and this is not an acceptable risk to you, open up the hub and clip the red wire that leads to the host plug (RasPi.) By clipping this, you are severing the power link between the hub and the Pi, but leaving the ground and data wires intact so that you can still use your hard drive and keyboard through it. You will then have to run a microUSB cable from the hub to the Pi to power it through the normal power port.