From: keith_nuttle@yahoo.com   
      
   On 02/22/2026 11:11 PM, Paul wrote:   
   > On Sun, 2/22/2026 4:58 PM, knuttle wrote:   
   >   
   >> What is the experiences with running multiple additional drives through a   
   USB hub?   
   >> Any limit on the number of ports on the hub?   
   >   
   > It should be a "powered" hub, if the intention is to run   
   > 2.5" drives on USB to SATA adapters. The drives can need   
   > spinup current, for the HDD type.   
   >   
   > If you had a four port hub and a 5V @ 4A supply for the hub,   
   > you could run three Toshiba 2.5" HDD at ~1A spinup current   
   > for each. During the first ten seconds, ~3A would be drawn from   
   > the 4A powered hub source. Once the drives are up to speed,   
   > the current draw is reduced.   
   >   
   > Generally, powered hubs don't come with big-enough power sources.   
   > For example, a hub with 8 ports on it, might have a 5V @ 3A supply   
   > and then you could connect two 2.5" HDD to the hub via USB   
   > to SATA adapters. The barrel power connector has a current flow   
   > limit, and maybe 5A is about as much as you could put through   
   > an M plug. Larger diameter barrel plugs/jacks allow more current,   
   > but the upper limit on barrels isn't that much higher. We cannot blame   
   > the cheapness of the supplier entirely for the limitations. But   
   > most of the time, the lower current adapters are a *lot* cheaper   
   > for them to source. The oddball larger ones should be much   
   > more expensive. Pound for pound, you can get more amperes   
   > out of ATX power supplies (you could get ones with 5V @ 40A at   
   > one time, but today 5V @ 20A is about it for the average ATX).   
   >   
   > When you connect 3.5" drives in their own wall-powered enclosures,   
   > those don't draw hub current, so an unpowered hub works just as   
   > well as a powered hub for that case.   
   >   
   > That would be one reason for me recommending the "larger enclosures"   
   > -- they tend to be self-contained solutions. And if they have a   
   > fan ? You're laughing.   
   >   
   >     Paul   
   Thanks>   
      
   It sounds like it is not the best idea   
      
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