NAS-t_Hirsute Posted December 31, 2022 Share Posted December 31, 2022 (edited) I've got 20 HDDs lying around to put to use. I have already starting to re-use my Lenovo M900 SFF as the server and build out my DAS. I'm planning to use this primarily as a media server and photo storage. I have a separate box and off-site backup routine for important documents. I have booted everything up with 4 HDD's connected. I have stopped at this point mainly because I want to figure out if my DAS PSU and power plan is ok and verify everything I have on this circuit, which isn't just Unraid, is below 12A (80% of breaker). I'm getting a Kill-A-Watt to check my other stuff before I just plug everything in at once. Questions: Is my power plan below safe for powering all these HDDs? Any recommendations? Server - Lenovo M900 Intel i7-6700 2x 8GB DDR4 2133 (I have RAM available for 64GB - max of the MB) Dell H200e crossflashed to LSI FSP Group 210W PSU: FSP210-20TGBAA 120GB 2.5" SSD Kingston DTSE9 USB flash - Unraid OS DAS WD Reds 5400RPM - 8TB x4, 5TB x5 WD Red Plus 5400RPM - 8TB x4 WD Blue 5400RPM - 1TB x1 WD Black 5400RPM - 1TB x1, 500GB x1 Hitachi Deskstar 7200RPM - 3TB x2 Rosewill cages EVGA Supernova 550 G2 DAS PSU Power Plan PS SATA 1 Riser for SAS expander card StarTech 4x splitter (used throughout) StarTech 4x splitter PS SATA 2 StarTech 4x splitter StarTech 4x splitter StarTech 4x splitter PS SATA 3 StarTech 4x splitter StarTech 4x splitter StarTech 4x splitter PS PERIF 4x cage fans daisy chained 4x cage fans daisy chained Not used Edited December 31, 2022 by NAS-t_Hirsute HDD quantities Quote Link to comment
JonathanM Posted January 1, 2023 Share Posted January 1, 2023 17 hours ago, NAS-t_Hirsute said: StarTech 4x splitter (used throughout) I am uncomfortable with this, the SATA power connector really is only good for single drives, amperage wise, and splitters with SATA as the source may cause all sorts of hard to troubleshoot issues. The 4 pin connector can handle MUCH more current, as the surface area of the mating pins is much greater. You probably should look into custom cables to eliminate all those slip fit connections. It's bad enough you have slip fit connections at the PSU itself for the modular cables. Quote Link to comment
NAS-t_Hirsute Posted January 1, 2023 Author Share Posted January 1, 2023 21 minutes ago, JonathanM said: You probably should look into custom cables to eliminate all those slip fit connections. It's bad enough you have slip fit connections at the PSU itself for the modular cables. After more reading and watching, I was thinking all my splits was not a smart way to do this. Thank you for your insight. So a few questions: What do you mean by slip fit connections? Is this video from WilluDesign the proper guide for making SATA connections? If so, I'll just look up ratings for 18awg wire and base max HDDs per cable off that + a safety margin. Split fit connections at the PSU....the PSU cables, which are from EVGA, have the locking tab to hold them in place. Is this not ok? Quote Link to comment
JonathanM Posted January 1, 2023 Share Posted January 1, 2023 2 hours ago, NAS-t_Hirsute said: After more reading and watching, I was thinking all my splits was not a smart way to do this. Thank you for your insight. So a few questions: What do you mean by slip fit connections? Is this video from WilluDesign the proper guide for making SATA connections? If so, I'll just look up ratings for 18awg wire and base max HDDs per cable off that + a safety margin. Split fit connections at the PSU....the PSU cables, which are from EVGA, have the locking tab to hold them in place. Is this not ok? By slip fit, I mean any connection that can be removed without tools or soldering. The two pieces of conductor are pressed together by the springiness of the metal and plastic of the connector, and if there is any contamination, and / or if that joint is subject to currents beyond what it can safely pass, heat will build up at the point where the two conductors touch, causing plastic deformation and the metal will lose it's springiness, causing further issues with conductivity and heat buildup. It's a vicious cycle. You want to keep those type of connections at an absolute minimum number, which ideally would be only at the drive itself. There is a reason true server grade PSU's aren't typically modular, it's one less failure point. Locking tabs are good, it keeps the connection from sliding off, but it doesn't really help with the core issue of passing the current. The reason SATA connectors are so bad is that they typically use just a thin springy wire in the female end and a flat finger of metal for the pin to slide against. The contact patch is tiny, and if the wire loses its springiness it's going to push with less force. The 4 pin and modular PSU connections are a round pin and sleeve design, where the surface area to pass current is MUCH larger. Quote Link to comment
NAS-t_Hirsute Posted January 2, 2023 Author Share Posted January 2, 2023 (edited) 5 hours ago, JonathanM said: The 4 pin and modular PSU connections are a round pin and sleeve design, where the surface area to pass current is MUCH larger. Websleuthing for different kinds of PC parts is turning out not to be my forte. I think I found what is an example of the safe alternative where everything is crimped into round terminals and wires to each SATA are doubled up to daisy chain into the next. Ideally I'd like to either find a cable assy with more SATA connections or the parts needed to make my own. I've found round terminal crimps and PCIe 6 pin latched connectors, but I can't seem to find the SATA connectors that accept these round terminals. I'd like to use the PSU I have. Can you provide direction to either the cable assy to purchase or the SATA connectors that accept round terminals? Excuse my inability to think straight on some of this, I'm sick. I thought to look at the manufacturer and found 4x SATA. The cables that came with my PSU are 3x SATA. I think these, like the example I posted abive, are in-line with what you are talking about - see close-ups on my 3x SATA cables. Edited January 2, 2023 by NAS-t_Hirsute Added images and source for round terminal crimped EVGA SATA power cables. Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.