Kingwin HDD Power Switch Module 6 Switches for 5.25-Inch Bay (HDD-PS6)

Very expensive for the work that it does. However, build quality is good.

WARNING: The majority of these reviews relate to other devices, e.g. the USB 3.0 Hub and Fan Controllers. This review relates to the Kingwin HDD Switch.I had two problems with this the device on installation. Firstly, unlike similar devices, the cables are grouped into four thick harnesses (two are 12mm diameter) - complete overkill. It makes a tidy installlation near impossible. It would be far easier to fit just the single cables you need and ignore the rest.Secondly, one of the six switches didn't work. After quite a bit of effort using a needle probe, I discovered that from Switch #3, the 12 volts on the yellow wire were leaving the module but not arriving at the SATA connecter, hence a broken cable somewhere. Was this device fully tested? Fortunately I only require five switches. A few days later, one of the unbelievably-bright LEDS failed.I also noticed that, on switching a drive off, it immediately disappears from WIN10 Explorer, but on switching it back on it freqently does not reappear, requiring a PC reboot. One of the switches feeds my DVD drive; when dropping its power it almost always remains in Explorer. That is clearly not an problem with this device, but the wonders of Microsoft. "Sometimes it works this way, often in a different way" Inconsistency rules KO!(I also have a couple of H/D caddies and they always are recognised by Windows on power-up.)Too much effort to send it back. Will live with the flaws.

I wouldn't recommend this unit for a novice but if you need a switch box for your drives this particular model is well built. The circuitry is built to handle higher currents than would normally be used, so I forsee little risk of anything burning out any time soon. Having a background in electrical work, I especially respect this older style of engineering and wiring. Not all people can appreciate this rugged approach to the design but I suspect that it will outlast most of the more "modern" designs. Functionality is excellent.*Please Note* If you purchase this unit make sure that you use either the Molex (LEGACY) outputs or the SATA but NOT BOTH at once. Using both at once will result in catastrophic failure of the unit and damage. Please follow the instructions for installation. I'm docking a star for the blindingly bright blue LEDs which I suspect were designed for high amperage. I put some black electrical tape to seal the cracks on my case where the light poured through and black nail polish around the LEDs to make them appear smaller. The original look can be very invasive at night. For this reason I'm thinking this switch box might be better suited for a server room but it works well in a desk top PC as well and it looks good in my work station. Black nail polish is cheap.

Read other reviews on this unit stating that the blue LEDs were too bright and burned out prematurely.Each LED is supplied with the 5V rail and a 1k 0603 SMD resistor, which =~5mA current.These LEDs seem more like low-current LEDs, so I replaced R3, R5, R7, R9, R11, R13 with 2.4k 0603 resistors, which I had on hand, I'm sure 2k would be swell also.MUCH dimmer now - no longer lights up the room.Also reheated/flux/soldered a few connector ground pins while the board was out.LEDs are no longer bleaching my eyes out & will hopefully last longer.The unit is wonderful for switching OSs! (only switch while PC is off..obviously!)So far so good! :-)

Finally, a product made by an American Company! It is very well designed and made of good materials - more expensive than the competition, but well worth the extra cost in my opinion. The cabling was - frankly - impressive - clearly made by professionals, and they even have a number on each cable end, so you don't have to do any cable tracing. This product is going to last me for 25 years. My only tiny quibble is the indicator lights are extremely bright - they probably could have gotten away with a quarter as bright - but, on the other hand, it impresses the kids.

Having had so many problems with dual booting on a single hard drive, and with hard drives or ssd's being dirt cheap now, this switch allows booting to whatever drive or operating system you wish. Have had one of these running for over a year and no problems. Can only be installed in a mid tower or bigger that has removable panels on the front of the computer. Since there are six switches, even drives used for just storage or backup can be turned off when not in use to extend their lives.