I've got my powerbook apart again and I found this thread pretty useful. I've seen a few people mention that mSata SSD replacements are running hot. Part of the problem is the adapter board. Well, 1/3 of the problem to be specific. The mSata SSDs run on 3.3v and the 2.5" spinning ATA drives run on 5v. The adapter boards convert the voltage and turn 1/3 of the power straight into heat through the regulator:
My powerbook also has a 3.3v source inside it from the main voltage converter board next to the battery. I hooked this into the mSata adapter and I could measure a lower temperature on the HDD in Temperature Monitor. However, the 3.3v source is "on" even when the powerbook is asleep. So my running battery life improved but my sleep battery life suffered due to the SSD being on all the time. So now I've added a high side switch to the adapter board. This is a pretty simple device, and I used a FDC6329L Integrated Load Switch. This is basically a pair of FETs that switch a positive source instead of ground. So I use the 5v pin from the powerbook IDE ribbon cable to turn the 3.3v wire from the battery board on/off. This required some soldering but it was a win/win situation with battery life, power use, and heat.
The red board looks like it has a voltage converter on it. Which in theory is better. However I tested these two boards:
And when applying a 1A load on the 3.3v side of the left one, I measured a 1A load on the 5v supply, as expected. However, applying the same load to the right one resulted in a 2A load at 5v. Definitely not expected!
My powerbook also has a 3.3v source inside it from the main voltage converter board next to the battery. I hooked this into the mSata adapter and I could measure a lower temperature on the HDD in Temperature Monitor. However, the 3.3v source is "on" even when the powerbook is asleep. So my running battery life improved but my sleep battery life suffered due to the SSD being on all the time. So now I've added a high side switch to the adapter board. This is a pretty simple device, and I used a FDC6329L Integrated Load Switch. This is basically a pair of FETs that switch a positive source instead of ground. So I use the 5v pin from the powerbook IDE ribbon cable to turn the 3.3v wire from the battery board on/off. This required some soldering but it was a win/win situation with battery life, power use, and heat.
