comments:
Unless you already have a power supply that outputs 12V and at least 3A, you will need to spend more than $2. Here are all the options I can think of: Find another 12V power supply (3A or more) with a 2.5x5.5mm connector on it. This is the easiest but it will probably cost about $20. Find a 12V power supply (3A or more) with a 2.1x5.5mm connector, and get an adapter (something similar to this). This will allow you to plug the power supply into the adapter and plug the adapter into the hard drive. You might already have another 12V power supply you aren't using, and an adapter shouldn't be too expensive if you can find one locally. Find a 12V power supply (3A or more) with some other connector on it, and cut off the connector and solder on 2.5x5.5 connector in its place. This will require access to a soldering iron and you will need to know how to solder. Make sure you solder the connector polarity correctly, because if you wire it so it's center negative instead of center positive, it will probably damage the hard drive if you plug it in. If you already have a suitable power supply rater for 12V at at least 3A, it will be inexpensive. open up the FireCuda Gaming Hub and solder a different connector in place of the existing 2.5mm x 5.5mm connector. Screws are commonly hidden under labels and rubber feet, so if you can't find the screw heads to take them out, try removing the label and rubber feet. You will probably need to modify the case to make it all fit back together (you might need to drill a hole in it for the new connector) or create a totally new 3D printed case like you suggested. Find a power supply with a different voltage (not 12V). Use a DC-DC converter to convert the voltage to 12V (use a buck converter if power supply voltage is more than 12V, or boost converter if power supply voltage is less than 12V). Remember that the output current needs to be at least 3A. Use this formula to determine if a power supply is suitable: 12V * output current = power supply voltage * power supply current *\ converter efficiency You'd need to find a suitable DC-DC converter that's rated for at least 36W. If the converter's datasheet doesn't list efficiency, assume 60% (0.60). You will also need a 2.5mm x 5.5mm male connector, and you will need to know how to solder. This probably won't cost much less than just buying a new power supply that outputs the required 12V and >=3A though, so I wouldn't recommend it unless you want to challenge yourself. USB-A connectors are supposed to be used for 5V only, and it is a bad idea to use them for any other voltage (the FireCuda Gaming Hub needs 12V). If you know how to solder, it would be possible to attach a USB-A male connector to a 12V power supply and attach a USB-A female connector to the drive. But that would be a bad idea, because most devices with USB-A ports will be damaged by 12V, so if you forgot and plugged the 12V power supply into anything other than the FireCuda Gaming Hub, the device would get damaged. I have some questions for you: How much work are you willing to put into this? Do you want an easy fix that you can do without much effort, or do you want this to be a big project that you will put a lot of work into? What tools do you have access to? You mentioned 3D printing. Do you have access to a 3D printer? At school, at a library, a friend who has one, or somewhere else? Do you have access to a soldering iron? At school, or do you know someone who has one, or do you have any other way to use one? Being able to use a soldering iron will give you more options. What skills do you have? Do you know how to solder? Do you know how to design stuff for 3D printing? What parts and materials do you have? Do you have any other 12V power supplies you don't use and could use for this (even if they have the wrong kind of connector on them)? If you have any that say they output 12V, how many amps are they rated for?