Subject: Are external HDD enclosures as good as external HDDs?
 

On Thu, 09 Sep 2004 David Chien wrote:

In-Reply-To:

Oh, and =AVOID= the entire ME-720 3.5" plastic enclosure series!!! far
too hot even with the small built-in fan, and it doesn't stay anywhere
as cool as the larger 5.25" ME-320 series. the ME-720 series will kill
your HD fast!

I had an interesting experience with a plastic enclosure of this type
recently. Eventually, I opened it up. removed all the contents of the
box (disk drive, USB interface, power supply, fan) and found that the
molded plastic fan grille on the bottom was almost completely closed
off by leftover flash from the molding process. Cleaning out the slots
with a knife blade allows much more air flow.

After reassembly, the drive must be about 20 degrees F cooler.
Don't try this at home, unless you are prepared to fiddle with lots of
small screws during the disassembly and reassembly, and can remember
where all the parts fit.

carl
--
carl lowenstein marine physical lab u.c. san diego