Question 1

Why is it only max 2TB per bay?  Is the data connection just a pass through to the rear cable connection or there some intermediary card?

Accepted Answer

First, I am using two 4 TB drives in one of these units so it is not limited to 2 TB.

I suspect the 2TB limitation is from an obsolete brochure written in the 2009-2010 time frame when that was the largest drive available in the consumer market segment.  The unit support the SATA 3 spec, uses individual data cables for each drive so does not require a multilane controller.

It is simple to use and works well.  My only complaint is the fan is a little noisier than I like but it complains loudly when I disconnected the fan. That sound is more annoying than the fan.  Some day I plan to dig into the unit and find the circuit that is the source, but not for awhile.

Question 2

Can anyone confirm if these work with larger capacity drives? The 3TB Red drives is likely what I'd be using.

Accepted Answer

I believe that that is an OS matter rather than an issue dealing with the rack itself.    There is some software out there that resolves readability with larger drives

However at 1T x 3, it was perfect.

Question 3

Can all three drive bays be set up as independent drives with own letters??

Accepted Answer

Yes, if you already are on your dektop just turn on the device you want, then go to disk management and select "rescan drives" and all will appear, from there you can assign the drive letter of your choice

Question 4

The instructions are vague, does this thing need both molex and both sata power inputs?

Accepted Answer

I had the same question.  Best I could figure out (from other online searches) is that you do not need both.  I am using about 1 and 1/2 of the power inputs.  I has been working great.

Question 5

Using this with a thunderbolt PCIe expansion chassis.  Looking to connect 3 drives to a PCIe SATA card.   Does each drive need an independent connection to the SATA card or does this unit daisy-chain the 3 drives so that I only need one cable to go to the SATA card ?  I do realize I need a Type L to Type I  (SATA to eSATA) to make the connection.  Just wondering how many of them I'll need (1 vs 3).  Thanks !

Accepted Answer

I did exactly this. Requires a cable for each SATA drive, three cables total.

Question 6

Does the drive bays have any kind of padding or dampening or washer to absorb the vibration from the HDD? or they just son the metal directly?

Accepted Answer

These are just on metal directly, we have had no problem with vibration.

Questions & Answers