Skip to main content ↑ ↓

Notice

Please note that most of the software linked on this forum is likely to be safe to use. If you are unsure, feel free to ask in the relevant topics, or send a private message to an administrator or moderator. To help curb the problems of false positives, or in the event that you do find actual malware, you can contribute through the article linked here.
Topic: Best mounting position for USB hard drive (Read 4003 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Best mounting position for USB hard drive

I recently purchased an audio unit for my car that has a rear USB input.  For anyone interested, it is the Alpine iDA-X300.

I have a 100Gb hard drive connected to this unit, loaded with about 10,000 MP3's. 

I'm wondering what the best mounting position would be for the USB drive, to prevent physical damage from the constant jolts of hitting potholes, speed bumps, etc.  I'm thinking in terms of heads hitting the platter, etc.

Thoughts...?
flac > schiit modi > schiit magni > hd650

Best mounting position for USB hard drive

Reply #1 –
Quote from: indybrett on
I recently purchased an audio unit for my car that has a rear USB input.  For anyone interested, it is the Alpine iDA-X300.

I have a 100Gb hard drive connected to this unit, loaded with about 10,000 MP3's. 

I'm wondering what the best mounting position would be for the USB drive, to prevent physical damage from the constant jolts of hitting potholes, speed bumps, etc.  I'm thinking in terms of heads hitting the platter, etc.

Thoughts...?


3.5" or 2.5"?  What kind of case?

Down at the cheap end of things, a foam can cozy, wrapped in a towel in the glove compartment?  Hmm, that might not work so well as foam is a heat insulator, nevermind. 

-brendan

Best mounting position for USB hard drive

Reply #2 –
One of these, but an older version.
flac > schiit modi > schiit magni > hd650

Best mounting position for USB hard drive

Reply #3 –
I would say to mount it vertically. It is best to keep the heads from hitting the disc. You will get more bouncing up and down than side to side.
Glass half full!

Best mounting position for USB hard drive

Reply #4 –
That's what I was thinking as well.
flac > schiit modi > schiit magni > hd650

Best mounting position for USB hard drive

Reply #5 –
Since that is bus powered I assume it is 2.5" (if it says on the linked site I missed it.)
FWIW I have a generic 20GB 2.5" HDD which has been inside its 1/2" thick foam pocket inside my Toughbook for going on six years of daily vehicle usage (July 2002) and have not suffered any problems.  Said vehicle gets driven off-road (though I can't think of when it has been off-road while the drive was spinning).

EDIT:  forgot to mention - obviously the drive in question is mounted horizontally.
Creature of habit.

Best mounting position for USB hard drive

Reply #6 –
Quote from: bilbo on
You will get more bouncing up and down than side to side.

What about when the car brakes? Even when done somewhat gently, the human *body* feels the deceleration and tilts forward...
 

Best mounting position for USB hard drive

Reply #7 –
Quote from: skamp on
Quote from: bilbo on
You will get more bouncing up and down than side to side.

What about when the car brakes? Even when done somewhat gently, the human *body* feels the deceleration and tilts forward...

That is still not the direction that would impact the heads flying over the disc.

And, I would hate to drive with you if you hit the brakes more than there are bumps in the road :-)
Glass half full!