Adding external HDD to RLN8-410

lblowing

I want to add an external HDD to increase the capacity of the standard 2GB internal drive. I'm clear about the type of HDD I need but am having difficulty identifying a UK supplier for both the power supply and the eSata cables required.The illustration supplied by Reolink looks clear but I have been unable to find a supplier. Has anyone on the forum in the UK done this and, if so, where did you get the connection cables? Many thanks

Leighton Evans

E-sata to e-sata? There are plenty on eBay. What other cable do you require?

lblowing

Thanks for your response. Please see the Reolink diagram at the link below:

https://support.reolink.com/hc/article_attachments/360020891474/hdd-with-junction-line.jpg

I have tried numerous ways to find a supplier of the leads shown in this picture. I have concluded that the leads do not exist. Reolink themselves cannot help. It seems to me that the picture is a mock-up of what could happen in theory but the fact is there is no supplier of such leads. I am a fan of Reolink but am frankly disappointed that they suggest an impossible solution. The closest I got was to buy an HDD enclosure but in order to avoid it overheating you need a fan cooled device - circa £150. If you can suggest a way of getting the leads in the picture I would be very, very pleased. However, my current thinking is to replace the existing 2TB HDD in my NVR with a 6TB HDD. This avoids the need for the leads which, as I say, are impossible to get. It's a shame Reolink have not addressed this issue and that their website continues to indicate that an external HDD can be added in the way shown in the link.

Cheers

Cynthia

Hi there, you can find the similar cable in Amazon. This is the link for your reference. https://www.amazon.com/eSATA-Input-Power-Cable-ESATAP-Power-Cable/dp/B00461595U

lblowing

Hi Cynthia

Thanks for your suggestion and the links.

However, what you are suggesting requires an eSATp port on the NVR. As I understand it, this is an eSATA port that also supplies power. The Reolink NVR does not have an eSTAp port, hence you require a separate power supply - as shown in the Reolink drawing which, as I say, proposes and impossible solution. Pity the Reolink themselves are not joining the topic but I did try direct with them, and they could offer no solution other than to refer it "upwards" within Reolink. That was weeks ago and no further contact from them.

Thanks again but still no solution

Twix

Hello

The picture above looks like one of these with a separate USB mains adapter, google search > AK-CBSA03-80BK.

There are limitations with this, you can only use smaller 2.5 inch SATA drive as these are rated 5V (same as any USB device), and you need to make sure the USB mains adapter can supply enough current to the drive being used. So for example when you look at any 5V mains adapter, it will have a current output rating, this could be 1A, 1.5A, 2A. Make sure this current output rating exceeds the 2.5 SATA drive.

lblowing

Hi Twix and thanks for your comments.

However, you have confirmed the problem I have described. A 3.5 inch Sata drive is required and the lead you suggest is no good for that application. It's a great pity that Reolink themselves haven't contributed to this topic. They know there is a problem getting hold of the connection leads shown in their picture (see above link) but they stay quiet. I think this is somewhat misleading on their part to suggest a way of expanding the HDD capacity that is simply not possible. If I'm wrong, I would love it if Reolink identified some suppliers.

Thanks again

Twix

If you are not willing to use a 3.5 inch hard drive enclosure that has an esata connection I can only suggest using,[br]
1x sata to esata cable[br]
1x sata power to 12v molex cable[br]
then connecting a 12v supply to the molex connector by either chopping the molex connector and soldering a 12v power supply directly to it (making sure you match the polairty), or by making your own molex to DC sock cable for use with the 12v power supply. As above, any power supply you use needs to be able to provide enough current to the hard drive being used.
[br] Alternativiely, butcher a 3.5 inch esata enclosure to your liking.

lblowing

Hi Twix, thanks for your further suggestions.

I am not willing to risk buying a 3.5 inch HDD enclosure because a lot of the comments associated with those products indicate that they run very hot. That is with a normal HDD so you can image how hot they would run with a surveillance spec HDD which runs 24/7 - the surveillance HDD would not last very long, that's for sure.
Regarding your other suggestions, I am also not into chopping wires and making soldering connections. All I wanted when I set out on this mission was to purchase "off the shelf" leads and a power pack as indicated by Reolink. The fact is that, despite my many efforts to liaise with producers of such things, I have found that these leads do not exist. I repeat, Reolink is effectively misleading their customers on this point. I remain a Reolink fan as I think their products work well but there is no getting away from the basic point I am making.
Thanks again

glenn george

For those who are trying to add an external HDD to RLN8-410, you can, with a 2.5 HDD, but harder to do so with a 3.5 HDD due to finding an enclosure or 9V supply for the 3.5 HDD with the right wires (It's possible, just difficult to do so). However, the easier solution and feasible solution is just to buy an HDD of the size you want and replace the existing one.

I replaced the existing HDD with a 14 TB HDD and yes, it reads the space. This works for my hardware version N2MB02 and is confirmed to work with others (see source link below).

Make sure your Firmware Version is updated via the Manual process (the automatic process didn't have the most up-to-date version for me). Link: https://reolink.com/us/download-center/ (Hint: Uncheck the "Reset configure" when updating Firmware).
Install your new HDD. I used MDD 14TB, I'm sure you can use a larger one as stated in other forums (see links below).
Restart, Format, and Restart.

There you go, you probably save money this way vs. looking, and buying the right wires and/or enclosure (time is money).

(Source) Link to others doing the same: https://www.reddit.com/r/reolinkcam/comments/wr556l/rln8410_nvr_working_with_14tb_hdd/
Confirmation from ReoLink that you can use larger HDDs now: https://support.reolink.com/hc/en-us/articles/900000419883-How-to-Choose-HDDs-for-your-NVR/

As you can see, I have the 14TB and eSATA. The eSATA is a 2.5 HDD--I had an old HDD and already bought the cable, so figured I just use it.