External storage without supplementary power

Question

Is there an external storage without needing supplementary power? (i.e. a second power adapter)

EDIT: Would a very light-weight external USB SSD, such as this Verbatim, have a low enough consumption? (the manufacturer doesn't specify the consumption..)

Western digital sells a drive kit designed to work specifically with the Pi http://wdlabs.wd.com/category/wd-pidrive/. I have seen plenty of other drive issues arise from power problems. This seems to be one of the few or only drives specifically designed for the Pi (without exteranal power) and hence having undergone extensive testing with the Pi. — Steve Robillard, Dec 08 '16 at 02:00
The base model does not and IIRC correctly (i think I saw it mentioned in the magpi) that it can run without external power. This may help https://www.raspberrypi.org/blog/meet-314gb-pidrive/ — Steve Robillard, Dec 08 '16 at 02:07
I'm using a Western digital Elements drive on a Raspberry model B without problems. Other components in use are a monitor on the composite jack, active speakers on the audio jack and an Edimax Wifi-dongle on the second usb. I use a 1000mA power adapter for power supply. https://www.wdc.com/en-gb/products/portable-storage/wd-elements-portable.html — sinclair, Dec 08 '16 at 04:03

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Dec 08 '16 at 02:27

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The use of flash drives should not require additional power sources. This is a viable option should your storage needs not be too large.

answered Dec 08 '16 at 02:27

Mobalized

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please take a look on the product link in the edit of the question – Andrei Rînea Dec 22 '16 at 12:16
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That should be fine, but remember the Pi doesn't support USB3.0. – Mobalized Dec 23 '16 at 02:39

score 1 · Answer 2 · edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:56

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There are no drives which can be guaranteed. Most modern portable USB drives (I use Seagate & Toshiba) can run without external power PROVIDED you have a quality power supply AND a good USB power cable.

Unfortunately these are rare; even "official" Pi power supplies do not meet the specs. See Raspberry Pi Power Limitations.

If you have a PSU/cable combination which is close to 5V (measured on pin 2,6 of the expansion header) it should be OK. Ideally the USB port should be loaded with a dummy load to draw ~600mA while testing.

Other options are SSD "drives" and USB Keys.

edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:56

Community

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answered Dec 08 '16 at 04:15

Milliways

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Could you please expand on SSD "drives"? Do you mean USB SSDs? – Andrei Rînea Dec 08 '16 at 12:13
Would USB external SSDs use less current than USB external hard disks? – Andrei Rînea Dec 22 '16 at 12:03
please take a look on the product link in the edit of the question – Andrei Rînea Dec 22 '16 at 12:16

External storage without supplementary power

2 Answers2