So...how many 2.5" disks can you put in a Chenbro NR40700?

[ca3y6]

I am trying to cram as many SSDs as I can in a Fractal Node 804 case. I 3d printed some SSD holders, but with so little space between them, the splitters have to be straight in, can't be angled. And there isn't enough clearance for the extra cable. So in this case it looks like I will have to go custom cable unfortunately. Hopefully I won't burn down the building!

 

[nexox]

While you're printing make a jig to hold the SATA power connectors at the right spacing so you can just lay each wire in and press it down in sequence.

 

[ca3y6]

that's an interesting idea, I presume it would reduce the force applied on the SSD connectors? Still too much compression when I am trying to put the panel back.

 

[kapone]

Hopefully I won't burn down the building!

Nah…SATA power cabling is easy and straightforward. Once you into triggering ATX PSUs using relays and trying to control PWM fans in slave chassis’ …that’s when the fun begins!

 

[kapone]

that's an interesting idea, I presume it would reduce the force applied on the SSD connectors? Still too much compression when I am trying to put the panel back.

They actually make “silver coated copper wires”, which are much thinner (don’t need as much copper for the same equivalent gauge). Maybe look at premade stuff on Chinese shops?

 

[nexox]

If you space it very close the power wires can just run straight up the stack of drives without bends and the bit that sticks out the most will be the back of the connectors themselves. If you get like an extra 1/8” though it'll be difficult because there won't be enough wire to bend out and come back at the right angle.

 

[ca3y6]

If you space it very close the power wires can just run straight up the stack of drives without bends and the bit that sticks out the most will be the back of the connectors themselves. If you get like an extra 1/8” though it'll be difficult because there won't be enough wire to bend out and come back at the right angle.

You mean like this?



That's what I am trying to achieve but I can't find any commercial splitter where the distance is tiny (currently have a disk every 13mm). So I want to replicate that with custom connectors with a 13mm distance, in which case they shouldn't really require anything to hold them.

 

[kapone]

They actually make “silver coated copper wires”, which are much thinner (don’t need as much copper for the same equivalent gauge). Maybe look at premade stuff on Chinese shops?

This is what I was talking about.

Premium Silver Wire SATA to 20 x SATA Power Extension Splitter Cable

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Premium Silver Wire SATA Power Cable 40cm 1 x Molex to 5 x SATA

Buy Premium Silver Wire SATA Power Cable 40cm 1 x Molex to 5 x SATA for $19.99 with Free Shipping Worldwide (In Stock)

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[ca3y6]

Premium Silver Wire SATA to 20 x SATA Power Extension Splitter Cable

Buy Premium Silver Wire SATA to 20 x SATA Power Extension Splitter Cable for $39.99 with Free Shipping Worldwide (In Stock)

www.moddiy.com

Wow. If I knew it existed... When they say 8mm spacing, do you think it is a disk every 8mm, or a 8mm space between each connector (in wich case it is more like a disk every 15mm-ish)?

 

[kapone]

custom connectors with a 13mm distance

Believe it or not, the site I posted above can make custom connectors for you with your desired spacing. (I have no affiliation with them).

Not gonna be cheap, likely, but may be worth considering?

 

[kapone]

Wow. If I knew it existed... When they say 8mm spacing, do you think it is a disk every 8mm, or a 8mm space between each connector (in wich case it is more like a disk every 15mm-ish)?

"disk every 15mm-ish" - I think so. The 8mm they specify is "between" connectors. So...

 

[nexox]

You can remove and reposition the push on connectors too for custom spacing, but it's also not difficult to crimp 4 pin molex connectors if you want to start from scratch.

 

[ca3y6]

While you're printing make a jig to hold the SATA power connectors at the right spacing so you can just lay each wire in and press it down in sequence.

I think I am thick. I only realised what you meant when I started trying to clip some connectors from an old splitter. You mean something like the below, to hold the connectors in place for the clipping (rather than to hold the connectors to connect them to the drive)?

 

[nexox]

I think I am thick. I only realised what you meant when I started trying to clip some connectors from an old splitter. You mean something like the below, to hold the connectors in place for the clipping (rather than to hold the connectors to connect them to the drive)?

View attachment 46067

Yep just like that, so you don't have to measure everything while pushing in the wires.

 

[kapone]

p.s. I'm moving the compute out of the Chenbro. It'll be just a DAS/JBOD...the thermals simply are not working to my satisfaction.

That said...if it's gonna be a DAS/JBOD...there's that huge 3U space in the back...I should be able to shoehorn a 24 bay 2.5" enclosure in the back, still leaving room for connectors and such.

We'll see.

 

[ca3y6]

And still on the topic of newbie questions on sata crimping/clipping, does it matter whether you clip the master cable to the PSU as opposed to an extension cable? I was under the impression there were power limits on sata connectors. Not relevant for 10 sata SSD but thinking of doing the same with grapes of 5 hard drives. On some PSU (be quiet) the cables are sleeved. Is that a problem for clipping? Do I remove the sleeve or pierce through it (not sure if the sleeve is conductive)?

 

[nexox]

PSU cable sleeves are mostly decorative, just some kind of plastic mesh usually, not conductive shielding, you can cut them. If you go straight to a modular PSU connector that's theoretically better, fewer connections in between and less wire helps slightly, and all connectors, SATA included, have current limits for each pin, which becomes a power limit for each voltage they supply, you shouldn't overload the SATA connector or the modular connector on your PSU.

 

[kapone]

clip the master cable to the PSU as opposed to an extension cable

If you're making custom cables anyway, I'd eliminate that connector in the middle and just hook the SATA power harness directly to the PSU cables. One less thing to worry about.

 

[nexox]

PSU modular connectors are mostly Molex Mini Fit Jr, with a specific tool you can remove pins from them, then more tools let you crimp your own, but depending on what you have and what you're comfortable with cutting and soldering to the original cables might be preferable. Keep in mind there's no standard pinout for the PSU side of modular cables.

 

[kapone]

Update on separating compute from the storage chassis (and there's many, the Chenbros, SC847s, an SC846...). Built a separate "rack" to house the compute. This is a (slightly) non-standard width, so I couldn't just buy another 42U rack. Well...this ended up being 96" high...




It's spaced for 3U, and is only 20" deep. Because...I'm planning to use:

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as 3U rack trays to hold the compute nodes. These trays can hold up to E-ATX motherboard, up to 3U height CPU coolers (Hello Dell coolers...) and have mounting for 3x 120mm fans.

That works.