Is it OK to leave an external drive always on?

[hatuko]

I'm using TimeCapsule with TimeMachine for backups of the system, but I am now also using a Seagate 2TB drive in a USB 3.0 enclosure for additional backups with CrashPlan so to be safe.

Is it OK to leave it always on? I have configured CrashPlan to do realtime backups so this wouldn't work if I had to turn the drive on and off.

Thanks in advance

 

[Nermal]

The drive should spin down when it's not in use, so it shouldn't be a problem. I've left mine running for months at a time

Edit: Misread. I'm not familiar with CrashPlan; if it's truly realtime then it might stress the drive (compared with Time Machine which only uses it every hour) but I can't imagine that it'd be any worse than the "source" drive inside your system.

 

[hatuko]

The drive should spin down when it's not in use, so it shouldn't be a problem. I've left mine running for months at a time

Great, thanks! I guess I don't need to be too worried then

I'm not familiar with CrashPlan; if it's truly realtime then it might stress the drive (compared with Time Machine which only uses it every hour) but I can't imagine that it'd be any worse than the "source" drive inside your system

It's not exactly realtime, but it's configured to backup every minute the changes/new files/etc

 

[Liberty.]

Great, thanks! I guess I don't need to be too worried then

Depends on your external drive. Just stay close to it and turn your Mac off. You should hear it spinning down (or not).

 

[Ray2]

Mine (11 tb) haven't been powered off for years. One ATA drive is circa 2000 and is my dedicated download/upload drive. Just never dies. They spin down but always powered. Keep the power supplies in a well ventilated area, they are the weakest link. Mine are not and they live in Florida, I go through at least one a year.

 

[hatuko]

Is this temperature OK if I leave it on 24/7? It's lower than the max so it should be OK?

 

[yukyuklee]

I think keeping the external on is better than plugging and unplugging it. Temps seem normal

 

[hatuko]

Cool, thanks!

 

[h9826790]

my ext USB 3.0 HDD is plugged and on for 24/7, no problem so far.