How much power is required for a SuperDrive?

There might not be something wrong with the SuperDrive, but there is something wrong with the design. Wasting a port on a Imac is just a shame.

Until today I was happily using my superdrive on the 0.5A usb port of a D-Link DUB H7, I disconnected it to drill some cable access holes around my system and when I reconnected it I got this "connect to mac usb port" warning crap. The system info clearly shows that it possibly has a maximium requirement of at least 1.1A so I don't understand why I was able to use it on the 0.5A port and why it doesn't work on the 1.2A port. Why would the drive work on a usb hub below it's requirements and why would it just stop working the way it did?!

2 solutions:

1 Using this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005NGQWL2/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8 &psc=1

plug the drive into the usb port on the anker then reboot. When it reboots the drive will come up and stay up. If one port doesn't work try one closest to the incoming power supply.

2. Buy this http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0041CFFBM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s02?ie=UTF 8&psc=1

and use it anytime without rebooting but you will need to use two ports on the anker. The actuall usb connection needs a full port but the power only end of the Y cable can go in the power only port at the right end of the Anker. Note this Y cable has two male ends for the anker and one female for the usb cable from the superdrive.

Mike

Thanks for giving an answer after such a long time for this post to have gone unanswered. I've been eyeing one of those Anker USB3 hubs for a while now and it's good to know the superdrive will work with it!

davidsignal wrote:

Ok, well it seems you think that if the OP goes out and exchanges his superdrive for a different one that his current hubs will suddenly start working. I am simply stating that I don't think so, I think that Apple designed the drive outside of USB spec.

This is from the Apple online store technical specifications for the superdrive:

Note my red box. USB2 connection. Your thinking does not conform with the facts.

Ciao.

So the 3 Super Drives I have here all say + 5 V. (D.C.) @ 1.6 Amps.

spudnuty wrote:

So the 3 Super Drives I have here all say + 5 V. (D.C.) @ 1.6 Amps.

Please post a picture of one, showing where it says that 1.6 Amps is required.

I have an old INTERNAL DVD drive that does list the same electrical requirements as mentioned by spudnutty. It is out of a pre-unibody MBP and it does not follow that it is the same drive that is used in an external superdrive. One would have to examine what is imprinted on the superdrive case/drive.

Ciao.

Internals do not count, they do not have to conform to USB external bus connection standards.

I measured the power consumption of an external Superdrive, the figures are earlier in this post, the max current consumed was during spinup. 0.88 amps.

Here's the list, read the earlier post for testing instruments (if you care what was used)

Initial inrush: 0.45a

Quiescent; 0.25a

Spin up: 0.88a

Read: 0.45a

Write: 0.65a

Yup I'm talking about internals too.

I was thinking about trying one of those USB two head connectors that provide power and data and try it in my USB 3.0 Hub as I have drives connected to all but one of the USB jacks and that one has my two USB 3.o powered hubs. I just wonder if it would work?

You're welcome Brian. I'd put the superdrive in a drawer and nearly forgotten about but needed to use it again. Had it hooked up but not working when I rebooted and it surprisingly came up. AHA! It does work just needs more power so I decided to try the Y cable and that works even better.

Mike

Yes, you'll need a single female double male y cable as documented a few posts above. I know it works with the Anker USB ports also doumented above can't say for sure though that it will work with any other.

Mike

This is not working for me. ordered the anker, and its the same message. have not ordered the y cable but this does not work. 😟

I ordered the anker, and the freaking y cable. not working. late 2010 Macbook air.