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I built a 10 inch mini rack from aluminium extrusions

louwrentius.com

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Re: I built a 10 inch mini rack from aluminium extrusions

#11

Post by louwrentius »

addaon wrote: post #9
louwrentius wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I haven’t found a solution for a single DC power supply I can connect to the systems. Maybe I have to solder something together myself.

Meanwell is the standard answer for this sort of thing; something in the SD-500 family or sized/optioned as you need. You'll have to do the connectors yourself; you may be able to find junction-post-to-barrel-plug leads of the right size and length off the shelf, but I'd be surprised, and soldering them would take less time than shopping for them.

Thank you

Re: I built a 10 inch mini rack from aluminium extrusions

#14

Post by hydrogen7800 »

louwrentius wrote: post #7
addaon wrote: post #6

Why use the original power bricks, with the space claim and awful routing, instead of just going to a single dc/dc... either directly if no individual power control is needed, or to a relay block or switch block if automated / manual individual control is needed?

I haven’t found a solution for a single DC power supply I can connect to the systems. Maybe I have to solder something together myself.

Man, I spent a lot of time looking for something like this when i bought my NAS and got annoyed with all the power bricks. Guitar players use them[0] to power their several guitar pedals, but the polarity, voltage and plug form factors are all the same, as far as I know. The various devices i have use slightly different plugs, polarities and i think not all are 12VDC.

I'm very surprised that nothing like this exists in the tech/IT space. There can't be that many form factors, voltages, etc. to deal with.

[0] I think something like this: https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=600062

Re: I built a 10 inch mini rack from aluminium extrusions

#15

Post by msisk6 »

These aluminum extrusions are called T-Slot, or as McMaster-Carr calls it, "T-Slotted Framing". Very common in industry; we have it everywhere on the Boeing factory floors. Not cheap, but very durable and reusable. Highly recommended.

Check it out starting on page 2240 of your McMaster-Carr 132 catalog. They have all kinds of things you can mount up like monitor arms. It's an erector set toy for engineers. ;)

Re: I built a 10 inch mini rack from aluminium extrusions

#16

Post by briHass »

louwrentius wrote: post #7
addaon wrote: post #6

Why use the original power bricks, with the space claim and awful routing, instead of just going to a single dc/dc... either directly if no individual power control is needed, or to a relay block or switch block if automated / manual individual control is needed?

I haven’t found a solution for a single DC power supply I can connect to the systems. Maybe I have to solder something together myself.

An old PC ATX power supply is great for most things that use 5/12V. You get the 2 most common voltages for network gear, with plenty of capacity and efficiency (with a decent PSU.)

You do have to solder, though I wouldn't be surprised if one can find sata power to barrel adapters on AliExpress.

Re: I built a 10 inch mini rack from aluminium extrusions

#17

Post by swed420 »

briHass wrote: post #16
louwrentius wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I haven’t found a solution for a single DC power supply I can connect to the systems. Maybe I have to solder something together myself.

An old PC ATX power supply is great for most things that use 5/12V. You get the 2 most common voltages for network gear, with plenty of capacity and efficiency (with a decent PSU.) You do have to solder, though I wouldn't be surprised if one can find sata power to barrel adapters on AliExpress.

They make breakout boards that mate with the main ATX motherboard connector on the PSU. Bonus that some of them even include fuses.

And at that point, why not just chop up an old ATX case to house everything, assuming there's clearance.

Re: I built a 10 inch mini rack from aluminium extrusions

#20

Post by protocolture »

someonebaggy wrote: post #19
ssl-3 wrote: post #13

Which part of this is a "rack"?

the whole thing?

I think the issue is that these arent close to rack specification. So its a rack in that its a set of shelves, but its not a Rack as the technology industry would define it.
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