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I really hope title is specific enough.

What I am trying to achieve is that using a SATA Extension Cable to PS4 you can plug in a 15mm 2.5" Laptop Drive or 3.5" Desktop Drive and the issue is that the internal SATA connection provides no 12v for 3.5" HDDs so 3.5" HDDs that require the 12V will not spin up due to inadequate power. I have a 430W PSU lying around and have it set up so that it provides SATA power of 12V and 5V DC to the HDD and just have the SATA III data connected to PS4. But for this I ALWAYS need to make sure I turn on the HDD power before the PS4 or the PS4 will spend a minute trying to boot and then warn of "Cannot Connect to Storage". Is there a way to connect the 5V from PS4 to PS_ON so that when the PS4 boots and attempts to power on the internal drive it switches on the PSU via the PS_ON + GND bridge causing the HDD to be adequately powered and everything flows nicely. During PS4 shutdown, the last thing to lose power is the HDD, thus turning off the PSU.

Is this possible?

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    \$\begingroup\$ Always power the HDDs. \$\endgroup\$
    – Andy aka
    Oct 3, 2018 at 11:55

1 Answer 1

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Making a master PSU control a slave PSU is pretty easy.

Grab yourself a 2N3904 or similar transistor and a 22K resistor. Hook the emitter of the transistor to ground, the collector to PS_ON of the slave PSU, and the base via the resistor to the 5V line of the master PSU.

The only potential problem is whether the PSU and HDD start up fast enough to satisfy the PS4.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Wow thanks for this, you make it sounds insanely simple.The PS4 is not some super fast boot-drive-is-SSD machine, it takes a fair bit to get past the logo screen so if your tip works, I would gather that this is perfectly fine. Now just need to figure out a place to get the transistor and resistor, already have all the soldering goodies. Here in Canada, those parts stores a dime a dozen. \$\endgroup\$
    – HyeVltg3
    Oct 3, 2018 at 15:55
  • \$\begingroup\$ Any idea if either of these resistors makes a difference? SG73G1JTTD2202D 0.33W SG73G2BTTD2202D 0.5W \$\endgroup\$
    – HyeVltg3
    Oct 3, 2018 at 16:33
  • \$\begingroup\$ Electrically either of those resistors is fine, but unless you are making a PCB for this you will probablly find the construction easier with a resistor that has leads. \$\endgroup\$
    – Peter Green
    Oct 3, 2018 at 16:56
  • \$\begingroup\$ would FMP200JR-52-22K be better choice if I do not plan to PCB this. I will most likely hex shape breadboard this together and wrap everything in heat-shrink. \$\endgroup\$
    – HyeVltg3
    Oct 3, 2018 at 18:10
  • \$\begingroup\$ It will work fine but the power rating it serious overkill which means it will be bulky and a pain to heatshrink over. The power dissipated in the resistor is about a milliwatt, so even the lowest power rating resistors should be fine, something like SFR2500002202FR500 \$\endgroup\$
    – Peter Green
    Oct 4, 2018 at 10:30

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