I have a 2019 i9 I Mac currently I have a Inateck FE2101 dual 2.5 HHD enclosure with 2 SSD's (1TB & 2TB). I the system overview the case does not report back the electoral current used. Looking over the power requirements for the SSDs it seems they will draw more power that the 900mA my 2019 iMac can provide. Is there a way I can measure how much power this unit is drawing. It does have a 5V dc input but when I hook it up the computer will not recognize the drives.
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USB C port power output
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You can use a USB power meter to see the current draw eg https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07DCS1..._dp_E75A5CK4R0NW6SMNRSAK?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
However, it seems clear that your 2 SSDs are not getting enough power with the 900mA max from the USB port. You can get 'Y' cables which plug into 2 USB ports on the computer and go to a single drive connector; even better is a 'Y' cable that has a USB-A for data along with a USB-C connector that can draw power from a typical USB-C phone charger on one end, going to whatever connector your enclosure needs at the other end.
I dont have a link handy but I'm pretty sure such things exist.
EDIT: Have just looked at your enclosure online, and no need for a 'Y' cable; it has a 'micro B 2' port on it specifically for connecting a USB-C phone type power adapter.
However, it seems clear that your 2 SSDs are not getting enough power with the 900mA max from the USB port. You can get 'Y' cables which plug into 2 USB ports on the computer and go to a single drive connector; even better is a 'Y' cable that has a USB-A for data along with a USB-C connector that can draw power from a typical USB-C phone charger on one end, going to whatever connector your enclosure needs at the other end.
I dont have a link handy but I'm pretty sure such things exist.
EDIT: Have just looked at your enclosure online, and no need for a 'Y' cable; it has a 'micro B 2' port on it specifically for connecting a USB-C phone type power adapter.
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The odd thing is when I hook up the micro B power port the computer will not recognize the drives. I have tries a few different cables and USB power adapters. I summited this question to the manufacturer but they have not gotten back to me.
I just found this, so I think I am OK with using bus power. Looks like each drive max power draw is 4W which leaves plenty of overhead for the chipset, etc.
support.apple.com
| USB 3.1 Gen 2 Also known as USB 3.2 Gen 2 | Up to 10 Gbps | Up to 15W at 5V |
Identify the ports on your Mac - Apple Support
If you're not sure which port to use with your external display, hard drive, camera, printer, iPhone, iPad, or other device, the port shapes and symbols in this guide should help.
This spec is for a USB-C port. What type of USB port are you connecting the drive to on the iMac? As you mentioned 900mw I assumed you were connecting it to a USB-A port. As per the page you linked, you can use the System Info tool to check what wattage the port you're using can deliver.I just found this, so I think I am OK with using bus power. Looks like each drive max power draw is 4W which leaves plenty of overhead for the chipset, etc.
USB 3.1 Gen 2 Also known as USB 3.2 Gen 2 Up to 10 Gbps Up to 15W at 5V Identify the ports on your Mac - Apple Support
If you're not sure which port to use with your external display, hard drive, camera, printer, iPhone, iPad, or other device, the port shapes and symbols in this guide should help.