Can I power a USB Zip drive with the USB port?

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Re: Can I power a USB Zip drive with the USB port?

By Lampdog Fri Aug 30, 2013 10:01 pm
Most likely not. Moving parts in a zip drive will most likely require 12volts (yellow wire). Usb is 5v (red wire).

Besides, usb for zip drives are usually always powered by molex, or power adapter connection, NOT usb.

You need to read up on stuff that your interested in.

Re: Can I power a USB Zip drive with the USB port?

By ntalec Fri Aug 30, 2013 11:32 pm
Lampdog wrote:Most likely not. Moving parts in a zip drive will most likely require 12volts (yellow wire). Usb is 5v (red wire).

Besides, usb for zip drives are usually always powered by molex, or power adapter connection, NOT usb.

You need to read up on stuff that your interested in.


They did make a light weight translucent USB ZIP drive that was supposed to be bus powered.
It was amongst those last Iomega products that never really got into heavy population.

In theory a bus powered ZIP could work but it's probably driver oriented not generic protocol.

Now to the OP with all the connectivity that the 4k offers a ZIP is the last thing you should be considering.
You can grab a cheap USB CF Reader that will work with the 4k plus your computer and just keep it moving.
Save yourself the headache.
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Re: Can I power a USB Zip drive with the USB port?

By Lampdog Sat Aug 31, 2013 1:05 am
ntalec wrote:They did make a light weight translucent USB ZIP drive that was supposed to be bus powered.
It was amongst those last Iomega products that never really got into heavy population.

I have never heard of such a zip drive?!
Chances of the op having that particular one are maybe really really slim?!

Op should skip the anything with "zip" on it.
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Re: Can I power a USB Zip drive with the USB port?

By *Pilchard* Sat Aug 31, 2013 2:18 am
I have 3 USB zip drives
One (the older one) needs to be used with it's power pack.
But the other two have no way to plug a power pack into them as they are made to function just from the USB power.

Seems a bit silly to use a Zip drive with an MPC4000 though when you have so many other better options.

Re: Can I power a USB Zip drive with the USB port?

By dustymaestro Sat Aug 31, 2013 8:39 am
*Pilchard* wrote:I have 3 USB zip drives
One (the older one) needs to be used with it's power pack.
But the other two have no way to plug a power pack into them as they are made to function just from the USB power.

Seems a bit silly to use a Zip drive with an MPC4000 though when you have so many other better options.


Thanks for the info.
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