geerlingguy / geerlingguy/mini-rack

12v PSU/PDU Plan - Feedback

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Description

So I'm about to take the leap and start my mini-rack journey. Most likely with the Rackmate T2 for both height and depth.

At the core of my homelab are 3x N305 Mini-PCs, specifically, the CWWK CW-ADLN-6L model that takes a 12v External PSU.

In an effort to avoid having 3 power bricks and the associated C13 cabling making the place look untidy, I'm looking at building my own Power Supply to handle the 3 Mini PCs. Where else better to get some feedback and validation that I won't blow up my lab or cause a small home fire? That's where you fine folks come in.

First, after some digging and some reviews, [Mean Well](https://www.meanwell.com/) seem to be well designed and reviewed for their Power Supply options. For my use-case, the [LRS-150-12](https://www.meanwell.com/webapp/product/search.aspx?prod=LRS-150) seems ideal, providing up to 12.5A of 12v, more than enough for my 3 Mini-PCs which barely manage 3A under load.

Next, where to put it that won't involve a mess of cables or exposed terminals? I found a company in the UK (where I'm based) that offer a [1U Enclosure for a 10in Mini-Rack](https://www.allmetalparts.co.uk/850-1u-105-inch-rack-mount-150mm-enclosure-chassis-case-5055726208273.html). With Inside dimensions of 216x37x145mm (WxHxD), it may be a squeeze, but it should allow me to provide much better cable management in the rack itself.

Armed with a Drill, a Dremel and the appropriate wiring components (e.g a [C14 Input Connector](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07NQW1FW4/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B07NQW1FW4) and some [DC Barrel Jacks](https://www.amazon.co.uk/RUNCCI-YUN-connector-Connector-Adapter-Waterproof/dp/B0CH7X4D8N/)) I think I should be able to put something together, hopefully with some space spare for a small Noctua 40x10mm exhaust fan to allow for some better heat dissipation.

A slightly crude sketch with the correct measurements looks like it should all just about fit in there:

![Image](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/0e079e83-204c-4f3e-a2b0-868d3c2cc83e)

Keen to get some feedback from the community on:
- Design - Anything obvious I'm missing? Better options out there that supply enough power without the DIY work?
- Wiring - Any recommendations such as fitting fuses on the outputs, distributing power better, any specific connectors/adapters I should look at?
- Attaching things to the chassis - not sure how easily I'll be able to line things up with existing holes so it might be stuck down with some thermal pads or something.

Thoughts, feelings and opinions all welcome.

Contributor guide

No contributing guide indexed for this repository

Research direction

Start with the issue body, the attached enclosure sketch, and the linked Mean Well LRS-150-12 and 1U enclosure specifications. Review the proposed design, wiring, fusing, connectors, chassis mounting, and cooling; done would require community validation or a decided safer alternative, but no specific files or tests are named.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Domain
infrastructure
Issue type
Feature
Difficulty
5/5
Estimated time
Over a week
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Needs clarification
Newbie friendliness
20/100

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