Server PSU advantages/disadvantages

[DarkwinX]

With all this talk recently about wiring up power supplies and state regulations I was wondering why people don't do server power supplies more often.

It seems relatively cost comparable to get a refurb 450w HP server power supply and a bridge board

PSDIST2 server power supply fuse distro | Hanson Electronics

8 way server power supply fuse pcb

www.hansonelectronics.com.au

The searching I did around here said that most went with the 1200w versions and they were hard to source during covid.

Apart from being a refurb and perhaps likely to fail - are there any other pros/cons to doing it this way?

 

[Notenoughlights]

I only use server power supplies for 12v props, I have only had one fail, and it would be intermittent and seemed to be an overcurrent issue that was way below threshold. all the other 8 or so power supplies dotted around the place, zero issues with them.

The following ignores your above message about the HP server power supplies with breakout boards as they are simple:
the only down side is, server power supplies can be difficult to get to start up, you need to know the pinout for the control pins in order to get them to start.
As there are many types, there are then many different pinouts, and types of pins, so getting a solid connection without damaging the power supply can be difficult at first.

 

[LawrenceDriveLights]

Yes HP server PSU do provide a alternative

I did a little write up a couple of years ago about them

HP Server 12v 100 Amp Power Supply

There has been a great amount of chat lately of the HP Server 12V 100 Amp PSU, in particular from some of the people in this hobby from the USA. So I was interested to find out what all the fuss was about so to speak Background; I have been using a number of the Meanwell LRS-350-12 PSU in my...

auschristmaslighting.com

Maybe some downsides are

12v only and maybe to large for a given application for example if you only had a few props connected to a diff receiver board a smaller PSU could be more suitable.

 

[DarkwinX]

the only down side is, server power supplies can be difficult to get to start up, you need to know the pinout for the control pins in order to get them to start.
As there are many types, there are then many different pinouts, and types of pins, so getting a solid connection without damaging the power supply can be difficult at first.

Ah so you can do it without the breakout boards! Maybe one day - I think for now the breakout boards might be a good starting point.

did a little write up a couple of years ago about them

Came across this will read it next!

About to go check out the manual to see what good fuse selection process is. I'm imagining you want to protect the PSU?

 

[DarkwinX]

Well answered my own question when I read that article and the manual. Protect the PSU and the wires.

So if I end up using a 450w and then 12awg then I need roughly a 29amp fuse per terminal for 3 terminals and then a 20ish amp on the 4th?

 

[OG-Munich]

in my opinion Computer Power Supplies are not cheaper than the usual power supplies . The usual ones are protected in case of shorts, but the computer PS in most cases are not. The computer PS have one advantage: They have a bigger quiet fan.

 

[Notenoughlights]

in my opinion Computer Power Supplies are not cheaper than the usual power supplies . The usual ones are protected in case of shorts, but the computer PS in most cases are not. The computer PS have one advantage: They have a bigger quiet fan.

Computer power supplies (ATX style with sata, CPU power, 24 pin etc) generally not suggested for use, as they have on most cases, got multiple 12v rails and not a lot of capacity on a single rail, connecting them together would be similar to connecting 2 power supplies in parallel and not advised. Although some people do use them, they should be aware of this.

 

[Indigogyre]

So, this conversation got me thinking. Yes, that is a bad thing. I see these breakout boards that generally say they are for an HP, Dell, IBM but a lot of them do not tell you the exact power supply to use them with. Does the exact model of the server power supply matter as long as it is within the spec range?

 

[Skymaster]

Does the exact model of the server power supply matter as long as it is within the spec range?

Yes - the pinouts between models can vary wildly.
Some have 12V main output with 5V standby, some run 3.3V standby, the monitoring capabilities and therefore data pins are different etc, as well as the remote power on.
So when using breakout boards they do need to be aligned to a model (or range of models). Typically anything that's compatible in Model X Series of Brand Y will be the same pinout - eg all DL3xx Gen 6 servers from HP, for example, use the same 'range' of power supplies (off memory).

 

[Indigogyre]

Yes - the pinouts between models can vary wildly.
Some have 12V main output with 5V standby, some run 3.3V standby, the monitoring capabilities and therefore data pins are different etc, as well as the remote power on.
So when using breakout boards they do need to be aligned to a model (or range of models). Typically anything that's compatible in Model X Series of Brand Y will be the same pinout - eg all DL3xx Gen 6 servers from HP, for example, use the same 'range' of power supplies (off memory).

Thanks, went looking for the exact model that was in the breakout board image.

 

[DarkwinX]

In my limited research it seems like it's the HP Common Slot PSUs that are the same - however I'll only know for sure when I plug it in and check the multimeter!

The second part of my part number is different - 201 vs 001 but the rest of it is the same.

 

[Domestos]

Just my 2cents. I've got both Meanwell LRS350 PSU's and a HP 1200Watt with breakout board.
The HP powersupply is noisy as, and it runs HOT.
I also found that it is pulling WAY more watts at idle.
I've got the Shelly 1 PM "smart" switches in both my controllers, the box running the 2 X LRS 350 Meanwells at idle pulls 15.8 watt. This figure does not change when props are connected.
The other box running the 1200Watt HP PSU is puling 46.5 watt. That is 3 x as much at Idle. The other interesting thing with the HP PSU is that when I conntect my props the Idle wattage increased. From memory last years show was well over 100 watt at Idle. The meanwells stayed at 15.8 watt irrespective of prop connects or not.
So if you plan on not switching your controllers off (which I think on 12v is a bad idea given the fire issues with the 12v pixels) be prepared for an additional cost in electricity.

 

[darylc]

I would question your measurements. Pixels use power when connected even if unlit, so your meanwell measurements are suspect.

 

[Derf]

Server power supplies were hard to source as a result of the bitcoin mining saga. They were a cheap way to power multiple ASIC miners. Seem as though that has dropped a bit they should come back to ebay. The other issue with buying the break outs were a lot of people were buying china copies (Not specifically talking about chrimstas lighting). These china copies did not have enough copper to carry the 10's or 100's of amps through standard PC connectors and ended up catching fire.

I use server power supplies in my display cause I can use one power supply for two controllers and not limited by the 30 odd amps of each raywell power supply. Also seem as though I use to recylce lots of servers I have a shelf of about 100 so they were all free to me.

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[bpratt]

then there are also other options like the 1975w server power supplies that I bought for my upgraded megatree controller box.... noisy as inside the house, but when out in the yard not an issue.