1. Introduction
The WAVLINK USB 3.0 to Dual Bay SATA Adapter is a versatile tool designed to connect 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch SATA SSDs/HDDs to your computer via a USB 3.0 port. It offers a high transmission rate of up to 5Gbps and supports reading two hard drives simultaneously, with each bay accommodating up to 18TB for a total capacity of 36TB. This adapter features one-button offline cloning for convenient data backup without a computer connection. Additionally, it includes two extra USB 3.0 ports with BC1.2 fast charging support and comes with a 0.5-meter USB-A cable. Its plug-and-play functionality, compact size, and portability make it an essential accessory for digital enthusiasts.
2. Package Contents
Please check the package for the following items:
- 1 x USB 3.0 to Dual-Bay SATA Adapter
- 1 x Power Adapter
- 1 x Quick Start Guide
3. Specifications
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Model Number | WL-ST504P |
| Type | Cable Adapter |
| Transfer Rate | Up to 5Gbps (USB 3.0) |
| USB Standard | Compliant with USB 3.0 Specification Revision 1.0 and USB 2.0 Revision |
| SATA Standard | Compliant with Serial Bus ATAII Specification 1.0 Version |
| Compatibility | 2.5''/3.5'' HDD & 2.5'' SSD |
| Ports | 2 x USB 3.0, 2 x SATA III |
| Access Capacity | Up to 18TB per bay (36TB total) |
| Features | Offline clone, UASP, TRIM, BC1.2 fast charging |
| Certification | CE |
| System Requirements | Microsoft Windows 10/8/8.1/7/Vista/XP, Mac OS 9/10/11 or later, Linux, Chrome OS |
4. Setup Instructions
4.1 Easy Setup for Plug and Play
- Insert your 2.5'' or 3.5'' SATA HDD/SSD into the adapter's SATA connector. Ensure the drive is mounted correctly.
- Plug the provided power adapter into a power outlet and connect it to the SATA adapter. This step is particularly important for 3.5'' hard drives, which typically require external power. 2.5'' hard drives might not always need it, but it's recommended for stable operation.
- Connect the USB 3.0 cable from the adapter to an available USB 3.0 port on your laptop or PC. The LED light on the adapter will blink, indicating it's powered on and connected.
- Once connected, the new disk window may pop up automatically. If not, navigate to 'This PC' (Windows) or 'Finder' (Mac) to access your drive.
Note: For new hard drives, you may need to initialize and partition the disk in Disk Management (Windows) or Disk Utility (Mac) before it can be used.
4.2 Plug Type Selection
The WAVLINK USB 3.0 to Dual Bay SATA Adapter is available with different power plug types to suit various regions. Please ensure you have selected the correct plug type for your location:
- US Plug
- EU Plug
- UK Plug
- AU Plug
5. Operation
5.1 Data Transfer
Once your hard drives are properly connected and recognized by your computer, you can use them like any other external storage device. Drag and drop files, or use your operating system's copy/paste functions to transfer data. The adapter supports Superspeed USB 3.0, offering transfer rates up to 5Gbps, enhanced by UASP & TRIM for faster performance compared to traditional USB 3.0.
5.2 One-Button Offline Clone
The adapter allows you to clone data from one hard drive (Source Disk A) to another (Target Disk B) without needing to connect to a computer. This is ideal for data backup or drive upgrades.
- Ensure the adapter is disconnected from any computer.
- Insert your Source SATA HDD/SSD into port 'A' and your Target SATA HDD/SSD into port 'B'.
- Important: The capacity of Target Disk B must be equal to or greater than Source Disk A.
- Connect the power supply to the adapter.
- To initiate the clone, press and hold the 'Clone' button for 3 seconds, then release it and quickly click it once more.
- Four LED lights (25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) will illuminate sequentially to indicate the cloning progress.
- The cloning process is complete when all four indicators light up steadily.
- After cloning, connect the Target Disk B to your PC and set its status to 'Online' in Disk Management (Windows) or Disk Utility (Mac) if it doesn't appear automatically.
Warning: All data on the Target Disk B will be overwritten during the cloning process. Please ensure you have backed up any important data from the target drive before proceeding.
5.3 Multi-Scene Application
The adapter is designed for versatile use across various devices and scenarios:
- Connect to PC: Easily expand storage or transfer files to your desktop or laptop.
- Connect to TV: Enjoy Blu-ray movies or other media directly from your hard drive on a large screen.
- Connect to PS4: Quickly access and start games stored on your external hard drive.
5.4 Device Compatibility
The adapter is compatible with a wide range of devices and hard drive types:
- Hard Drives: 3.5-inch SATA HDDs, 2.5-inch SSDs/HDDs.
- Host Devices: Laptops, Tablets, Desktops, Routers, Smart TVs, HD Players.
Note: Mobile phones/tablets without a USB-A port may require an OTG converter for connection.
6. Maintenance and Safety Warnings
- Do not intentionally damage or crush the device with external force.
- Do not disassemble this product without professional assistance.
- Avoid exposing the device to humid environments.
- Always remember to safely remove or eject your disk from your laptop/PC before physically disconnecting the adapter to prevent data corruption.
7. Troubleshooting
7.1 Device Not Recognized
- Check Connections: Ensure all cables (USB and power) are securely connected.
- Power Supply: Verify the power adapter is correctly plugged in, especially for 3.5'' HDDs.
- USB Port: Try connecting to a different USB port on your computer.
- Disk Management: For new drives, check 'Disk Management' (Windows) or 'Disk Utility' (Mac) to see if the drive needs initialization or partitioning.
- Driver Installation: While typically plug-and-play, ensure your operating system has the latest USB drivers.
7.2 Slow Transfer Speeds
- USB 3.0 Port: Ensure the adapter is connected to a USB 3.0 port on your computer (usually blue inside). Connecting to a USB 2.0 port will limit speeds.
- UASP Support: Confirm your operating system and motherboard support UASP for optimal performance.
- Drive Health: Check the health of your HDD/SSD. A failing drive can result in slow speeds.
- Other USB Devices: Disconnect other high-bandwidth USB devices that might be competing for resources.
7.3 Offline Clone Failure
- Disconnect from PC: Ensure the USB cable is completely disconnected from any computer during the cloning process.
- Target Drive Capacity: Verify that the target drive (Disk B) has a capacity equal to or greater than the source drive (Disk A).
- Power Stability: Ensure a stable power supply throughout the cloning process.
- Drive Health: Check both source and target drives for errors before attempting to clone.
- Re-attempt: Repeat the cloning steps carefully, ensuring correct button presses.
8. User Tips
No specific user tips were available from provided reviews or Q&A. However, general best practices for external storage devices include:
- Always safely eject or unmount your drives before disconnecting them to prevent data loss or corruption.
- Keep the adapter and drives in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.
- Regularly back up important data to multiple locations.
9. Warranty and Support
This WAVLINK product comes with a 1-year warranty from the date of purchase, covering manufacturing defects. For technical assistance or warranty claims, please contact WAVLINK support:
- Official Website: www.wavlink.com
- Technical Support Email: support@wavlink.com
