Supermicro PDB-PT846-N24 PSU compatibility

[anlin]

Has anyone tried running newer Supermicro PSUs (PWS-920P-SQ, PWS-1k28P-SQ, PWS-1k21P-1R etc.) with the older PDB-PT846-N24? The newer PSUs have not been validated to work with the -N24, but according to Supermicro's tech support "there is no issue physically" and "there should be no risk in testing the combination".

I have a spare SC846 with a 920P-SQ PSU but no PDB I was hoping to get running on the cheap. The officially supported -8824 PDBs are pretty expensive even when buying second hand. The plan was to build a very low power archive/backup server,so I wouldn't need the additional 8-pin EPS/CPU connectors and other stuff the -8824 PDB has over the -N24.

 

[Rand__]

Here is a cheap 8824 available (third party amazon)
Amazon.com: Buying Choices: SuperMicro Power Distributor PDB-PT825-8824

That one should be compatible with SQ for sure.
The n24 is the oldest of the three available 846 PDBs afaik so i'd be not too sure that it works with newer PSUs. I know I had to replace my old 836 (2008 or so) PDB with a newer one because the newer PSU had a wider connector and wouldn't physically fit, so i tend to stay away from older stuff to maximize compatibility.

Unfortunately SM support has not been too reliable recently with their statements re compatibility/feature sets (probably b/c they don't have an internal database to actually look up stuff like this either).

 

[anlin]

The link appears to be for a PT825 rather than a 846, unfortunetely. I haven't found a PT846-8824 for less than about €140 shipped, whereas -N24s seem to go for 40-60€.
As far as I know the older PSUs use the same card edge connector as the 920P-SQ that I have. Newer high power PSUs, like the 1k28P-SQ and above use a wider connector that (without modification) only works with the -2824 PDB that ships with the B revision of the chassis.

 

[Rand__]

Ah sorry, missed that - stupid Amazon showing stuff similar to the things you look for

Unfortunately I don't have a N24 to check with the SQ , only got 8824's.

Why does it need to be the SQ in the first place? (Noise? Efficiency) ? There are other alternatives depending on expected target load...

 

[anlin]

I already have the 920P-SQ, I might as well use it I also like that on the 920P-SQ the PSU fans are not running when the server is powered down, so I can keep the server plugged in (and remotely accessible via IPMI) all the time without it producing unnecessary noise.

I did think about modifying the chassis to accept an ATX PSU, but to my knowledge that would involve grinding off pins that support the original PSU enclosure, and I would rather not make any permanent modifications to the chassis. Besides, the only benefit to using an ATX PSU over the 920P-SQ would be the cost, and as I already have the 920P-SQ it would actually be cheaper to buy the -8824 PDB rather than a nice ATX PSU.

 

[Rand__]

Ah I see.
How urgently is it? Every now and then a cheap 8824 turns up on ebay...
And if you can wait a few days I can compare the SQ against one of my ancient 836 PSU which definitely used an older PDB style...

 

[anlin]

I'm in no rush, in fact I have no use for the system at this time. The spare 846 in question has been sitting unused for for several months now, I thought I might as well turn it into a working system at some point Thanks for helping out with this!

 

[JCX]

Any update on this? I bought a SC836 Chassis and it came with a PDB-PT825-N24 PDB and PWS-801-1R PSUs that I want to replace with PWS-920P-SQ units. Has anyone tried connecting 920P-SQ PSUs to a -N24 PDB?

 

[AlexHuang]

Any update on this? I bought a SC836 Chassis and it came with a PDB-PT825-N24 PDB and PWS-801-1R PSUs that I want to replace with PWS-920P-SQ units. Has anyone tried connecting 920P-SQ PSUs to a -N24 PDB?

Hi Juan,

I just tried this, I ordered the 920P SQ without thinking of compatibility with the old 836 chassis I bought, which has a PDB-PT825-N24. The PSU works on my X9DRH-7F, but I've only installed one CPU right now since I do not have an EPS splitter for the PDB yet.

Hope this helps.

 

[safado]

In case anyone is coming across this I've been struggling with the PWS-920P-SQ's that I purchased and both of them refuse to work with a PDB-PT846-N24 PDB. It will let out a continuous large beep and show yellow on the PS and in IPMI as a failed PSU.