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Custom home server built from spare parts

91 points · 54 comments · sotilrac

  1. MayeulC · · focus · HN ↗
    I am most interested in that DC power supply. I bought a similar one recently (rgeek brand on aliexpress), but haven't yet dared to connect it yet.

    I'm wondering what:

    - the failure mode is if it can't provide enough current.

    - How to properly test it under a fake load

    - If these tiny power cables can really handle 150 W (this is 12 A at 12V). I don't have such a powerful 12V PSU, so I am thinking about adding capacitors to handle transients.

    I imagine that it is really built to handle transient peaks to 150 W, with a more reasonable baseline.

    Anyway, if anyone knows a good knowledge source for these PSU, I'd be interested.

    My initial motication for going with these was:

    - hopefully increase my PSU efficiency

    - less cable clutter

    - hopefully power it from a small DC UPS (there are plenty of "router" UPS sold on the market, though the power rating is a bit low, 18-36 W usually).

    1. sotilrac · · focus · HN ↗
      The parts linked on the post are performing well. If you size them well, the main issue you can run into is inrush current when powering up. You may need a soft start circuit. I know I'm at the limit and may need to add a soft start if I add more fans.
      1. MayeulC · · focus · HN ↗
        Thanks for the feedback! A triggered power-on seauence for drives and fans makes sense, though I feel like this could also be solved by putting a couple of large capacitors on the 12V power rail (those need to charge as well, obviously, which might be an issue on startup).
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