Do 40 Pin Compact Flash to IDE Adapters need power?

Peter · 10 November 2011, 00:44

I want to connect another CF Card to an A1200 via the Fast ATA MK-IV 40 pin IDE.

I notice that most of the Compact Flash to IDE ATA Converter Adapters (CF to 40 pin) come with a 5v power input.

Could I just ignore it or would I have to get a power splitter from somewhere (the floppy maybe?) to power it?

Example

Click for ebay link.

prowler · 10 November 2011, 00:49

Hi Peter,

In general, 40-pin IDE devices will draw power from the data cable if the PSU is not connected directly. It's perfectly okay to power CF cards and other low power devices in this way, but you could fry some data lines on your motherboard or Fast ATA interface if you connect a 3½-inch hard drive without a separate PSU connection.

Peter · 10 November 2011, 00:55

I wonder if it's best to power it then...?
Would using a small power splitter cable from the floppy power output on the mother board to connect to both the floppy drive and the adapter work do you think - is the floppy output 5V?

prowler · 10 November 2011, 01:04

It certainly won't do any harm to connect a separate PSU line to the CF-IDE adapter via a splitter. Using a splitter from the floppy PSU cable is the ideal solution. 3½-inch floppy drives use only the +5V DC supply. Nevertheless, the floppy power header on the motherboard supplies both +12V and +5V. However, only the +5V line will be connected internally to your floppy drive and CF card adapter.

amigakit.com · 10 November 2011, 09:42

We sell floppy power splitters here:

http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/...oducts_id=1030

roy bates · 10 November 2011, 10:23

sorry lads but 40 pin adaptors do require power,its only the 44 pin adaptors that have power to them.

and the floppy cable is +5 and +12 volts

cpiac64 · 10 November 2011, 11:49

the connector for power is on rear of the board, ignore the info 5vcc on pin 20, pin 20 is nc

Peter · 10 November 2011, 12:21

I have ordered some bits here and there for some testing... cheers for the advice all!

Peter · 22 November 2011, 12:29

OK - another question... say you want to use two CF Cards - this means two adapters - this means you will need a three way power splitter from the Floppy.

Do you think you would be OK to take power for the Floppy Drive and two CF card adapers from the Amiga Floppy mother board power supply ?

prowler · 22 November 2011, 17:57

Even two CF cards and adapters will have an almost negligible power requirement compared to a floppy drive, so I can't imagine you'd have a problem with that.

amigakit.com · 22 November 2011, 18:39

We can make you a three way power splitter if that is of any use to you.

Peter · 22 November 2011, 18:57

Cheers guys - I'll give my set up some thought over the next day or so...

10 November 2011, 00:44	#1
Peter Still an Amiga user Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Kent Age: 55 Posts: 2,715	Do 40 Pin Compact Flash to IDE Adapters need power? I want to connect another CF Card to an A1200 via the Fast ATA MK-IV 40 pin IDE. I notice that most of the Compact Flash to IDE ATA Converter Adapters (CF to 40 pin) come with a 5v power input. Could I just ignore it or would I have to get a power splitter from somewhere (the floppy maybe?) to power it? Example Click for ebay link.

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10 November 2011, 00:49	#2
prowler Global Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Sidcup, England Posts: 10,300	Hi Peter, In general, 40-pin IDE devices will draw power from the data cable if the PSU is not connected directly. It's perfectly okay to power CF cards and other low power devices in this way, but you could fry some data lines on your motherboard or Fast ATA interface if you connect a 3½-inch hard drive without a separate PSU connection.

10 November 2011, 00:55	#3
Peter Still an Amiga user Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Kent Age: 55 Posts: 2,715	I wonder if it's best to power it then...? Would using a small power splitter cable from the floppy power output on the mother board to connect to both the floppy drive and the adapter work do you think - is the floppy output 5V?

10 November 2011, 01:04	#4
prowler Global Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Sidcup, England Posts: 10,300	It certainly won't do any harm to connect a separate PSU line to the CF-IDE adapter via a splitter. Using a splitter from the floppy PSU cable is the ideal solution. 3½-inch floppy drives use only the +5V DC supply. Nevertheless, the floppy power header on the motherboard supplies both +12V and +5V. However, only the +5V line will be connected internally to your floppy drive and CF card adapter.

10 November 2011, 09:42	#5
amigakit.com Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: www.amigakit.com Posts: 2,015	We sell floppy power splitters here: http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/...oducts_id=1030

10 November 2011, 10:23	#6
roy bates Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: birmingham Age: 55 Posts: 2,827	sorry lads but 40 pin adaptors do require power,its only the 44 pin adaptors that have power to them. and the floppy cable is +5 and +12 volts

10 November 2011, 11:49	#7
cpiac64 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Italy Posts: 1,136	the connector for power is on rear of the board, ignore the info 5vcc on pin 20, pin 20 is nc

10 November 2011, 12:21	#8
Peter Still an Amiga user Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Kent Age: 55 Posts: 2,715	I have ordered some bits here and there for some testing... cheers for the advice all!

22 November 2011, 12:29	#9
Peter Still an Amiga user Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Kent Age: 55 Posts: 2,715	OK - another question... say you want to use two CF Cards - this means two adapters - this means you will need a three way power splitter from the Floppy. Do you think you would be OK to take power for the Floppy Drive and two CF card adapers from the Amiga Floppy mother board power supply ?

22 November 2011, 17:57	#10
prowler Global Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Sidcup, England Posts: 10,300	Even two CF cards and adapters will have an almost negligible power requirement compared to a floppy drive, so I can't imagine you'd have a problem with that.

22 November 2011, 18:39	#11
amigakit.com Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: www.amigakit.com Posts: 2,015	We can make you a three way power splitter if that is of any use to you.

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22 November 2011, 18:57	#12
Peter Still an Amiga user Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Kent Age: 55 Posts: 2,715	Cheers guys - I'll give my set up some thought over the next day or so...