Drive Enclosure Hack!

[LC_575]

What to do when you have two disused IBM 160MB SCSI drives and an empty drive enclosure?

Hack the enclosure so that both drives fit into one unit!





This did require modification to the scsi cable in the enclosure. I took another 50pin SCSI cable, and I disassembled one of the connectors to expose it's pin-like contacts. Removed the ribbon cable, and pretty much just stabbed the connector onto the enclosure cable, making sure that the conductors and pins line up. And I needed a 1 to 2 Molex Y splitter.

The enclosure only has one ID selector, which is connected to the lower drive. The upper drive is bottom-up to enable quick changes to it's ID.

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

I LIKE it! [] ]'>

 

[Bunsen]

The enclosure only has one ID selector, which is connected to the lower drive.

If you want, another approach would be to connect the selector to only the least significant two bits (pins) of both drives, and put a jumper across the most significant bit (pin) of one drive. Then you can still change the IDs if needed without opening the case - the drive with the jumper will be numbered 4 higher than the other.

/ETA/ Actually, that would work whichever pin you selected, as long as it was the same pin on each drive. The one with the jumper will always be binary 1 in that column, and the one without, binary 0.

 

[register]

The upper drive is bottom-up to enable quick changes to it's ID.

If available, it is strongly recommended to follow the manufacturers instructions regarding the post assembly orientation of a drive. Some drives definitely do not like to work upside down. Even a simple fan might have a preferred post assembly orientation. If the specifications tell so, better stick to it to enjoy the specified service life.