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1U power supply replacement (maybe)

AlienW

Well-known member
I am trying to fit this power supply inside the 1U:


www.fspgroupusa.com-FlexGURU-250W-31.png

It is closest thing to a drop in power supply for the 1U that I have found but will require a little bit of modification. Mainly and critically the power input has to be adapted and the enclosure will need some slight metal work to be able to mount between the mounting studs for the stock power supply. On the output side, the connections are almost perfect in this has 2 separate 'modular' output cables to connect to a computer's components. For the 1U K, only the 24 pin ATX motherboard connector and 4 pin 12v connector is needed so the 2nd connector set that would go to a computer's hard drive, optical drive, etc. can just simply be left off (instead of having to cut off the rats next of extra connectors). I have compiled some pros and cons of this power supply to consider.

Pros:
Small compact design that will fit inside the 1U with only minimal modification and without having to remove the power supply from its own enclosure.
The 1U server chassis itself will not have to be permanently modified.
Modular power output connectors that match with what the K motherboard needs; No rats nest of extra cables/connectors inside the server
Released in 2019, should be readily available for the foreseeable future.
Reasonable cost

Cons:
Power input connection has to be modified.
Physical mounting of the power supply will require some finesse.
The two above cons will make this replacement difficult for non technical users
The internals of the power supply don't look as robust as the original.

Any thoughts or ideas on how to make this work?
 
It may be included in your cons, and would be an issue for all replacements, but how do you plan to deal with grounding, since the built-in connector (looked like it could be popped-out with reasonably minor effort) runs the ground-pin straight to the chassis?
 
Yes that is all part of the problem in modifying the power inlet. One idea I had was to purchase a new inlet/filter connector (the P/N on the connector itself can be found on DigiKey) and then wiring it up as needed. That way one could avoid modifying the wires on the stock connector and could therefore re-install it later to completely reverse the modification.
 
My first repaired PSU is still kicking. I purchased an extra 1U that came with a dead PSU and tried to have that one repaired as well. It came back not working properly after a long wait. So this led me to start looking back down the rabbit hole of finding some kind of suitable replacement. It seems like this PSU is difficult to repair given the tightly packed components and the glue that is drizzled all over it that turns conductive. So replacement is probably going to be the best long term solution.

Speaking of replacement PSUs, does anyone know what PSU they put in the 1U+ server? Maybe that could be adapted to work in the old 1U with some small modifications? At least there you would know that what ever was specified by K is a good quality item.
 
I don't know the specs on the 1U+ power supply, but I know they aren't the same. Not sure if they could be modified.

I told someone else yesterday, I don't currently have the time to investigate further, but if someone comes up with a supplier that can provide a power supply that works for the 1U, and if they require a multi-unit purchase (as most do), I'm happy to contribute to the purchase to help insure those are available to 1U owners going forward. I don't want to get stuck with a bunch of replacements, but I'm willing to buy a 100 or so if that helps owners (I'm not a 1U owner myself). (I've been told the original supplier is no longer available.)

Jim
 
I've reached out to Seasonic for a quote to purchase a run (100) of these power supplies.
No response as of yet.
I'll keep everyone posted.
Chris
 
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Hi guys I would be happy to buy a PS as well for my 1U. I thought it had failed recently only to find out the contacts at the front just needed cleaning and polishing. But another PS for the future is good insurance.
Dave
 
I've reached out to Seasonic for a quote to purchase a run (100) of these power supplies.
No response as of yet.
I'll keep everyone posted.
Chris
Their response to me was they didn't make that type of supply anymore (which I find dubious.)

My electronical engineering expertise ends somewhere along the point of "dry hands before inserting or removing power cord from wall," so it's probably just as well none of the others have replied to me. That said, it looks like any of these might work (at least for someone more confident in their soldering ability, or if they can find a proper ATX 20+4 harness):
I think they all claim to do custom runs, so if someone who knows what they're doing can reach a person, we may be able to get a solution. (Or at least one more elegant than hooking-up a spare PSU with the top off...)
 
Their response to me was they didn't make that type of supply anymore (which I find dubious.)

My electronical engineering expertise ends somewhere along the point of "dry hands before inserting or removing power cord from wall," so it's probably just as well none of the others have replied to me. That said, it looks like any of these might work (at least for someone more confident in their soldering ability, or if they can find a proper ATX 20+4 harness):
I think they all claim to do custom runs, so if someone who knows what they're doing can reach a person, we may be able to get a solution. (Or at least one more elegant than hooking-up a spare PSU with the top off...)
Thanks for the links.
 
Response from Seasonic:

Hi Christopher,



Thanks for reaching out to us, but unfortunately this model is EOL and there is no replacement as of this moment. There are also no plans to make anymore at this time as well.



Best,



Cliff Yeh

Sales & Marketing Coordinator

Sea Sonic Electronics

https://www.seasonic.com/

Email: cliff.yeh@seasonic.com

Phone: (626) 969-9966 Ext. 308
 
That is what I expected from seasonic as far as a response goes. But at least they responded. The ones linked above have single voltage outputs so they are not suitable. I still really want to see what they put in a 1U+. 🙏
 
If the 1U+ power supply was compatible, or could be made compatible, I think K would have shared that with me when I made the specific inquiry, but I'll ask again. We'd have to get them to tell us at this point because the 1U+ servers are all still under warranty, so I doubt anyone will void that by opening the case.

Jim
 
I am guessing the problem with the 1U+ power supply is the mounting holes due to the new power supply board being a slightly different size than the original 1U. If that is true then K would be right in saying that the new one is not compatible. But if power specifications are the same or better and the electrical connections match up without modification, it would be worth permanently modifying the chassis of an old out of warranty 1U server to make attach points for the new power supply. Drilling a few holes in sheet metal for the mounting screws would be much preferred to the alternative of cutting and splicing wires.
 
Makes sense, and there are certainly owners that would benefit from a solution. I've been told there are several different design changes in the 1U+, and I believe the board(s) are a major change, but I've not investigated those changes.

Jim
 
That is what I expected from seasonic as far as a response goes. But at least they responded. The ones linked above have single voltage outputs so they are not suitable. I still really want to see what they put in a 1U+. 🙏
Ah, yes, guess I missed the 3.3V when trying to find alternatives. I notice that SuperMicro uses supplies from a corporate cousin of your original suggestion, so if nothing else https://store.supermicro.com/server-accessories/power-supplies/200w-1u-pws-202-1h.html may be a cheaper (if not modular) option on the enclosure-within-an-enclosure road.

I've got one or two new open threads, but has anyone else managed to shake the trees and yielded fruit in the last few weeks?
 
As anyone had any more success finding a drop in replacement since the last comment on March 11, 2020? My 1U server 1500 has now been diagnosed with a PSU malfunction. My dealer said " too sad, get a new one". That is not acceptable.
 
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