4 ms·

What a bummer. Something like an 80PLUS Platinum ATX PC PSU could do around 40 amps on the 5V rails. Redundant server PSUs seem like an obvious choice here.

Dylan16807 5y ago
So much of a computer PSU is dedicated to 12 volts, though. I can get a 5V 60A supply for $27 and save a lot of unnecessary complexity. Though either way you might be better off with a series of USB hubs.
- klyrs 5y ago
  Could usb hubs introduce security issues for the hosts?
  - Dylan16807 5y ago
    For USB power? I don't think there should be any way for Pis plugged into the same freestanding hub to talk to each other, but if so you could prevent that with power-only cables.
    - klyrs 5y ago
      Call me paranoid (this is about security after all), but there's no visual distinction between data and power-only cables. While a rogue employee can wreak all sorts of havoc in any data center, it's nice to have as many correct-by-inspection systems as possible. I don't see why one couldn't get a power-only hub, but I couldn't find anything that appeared to be high quality in a quick search. I did find some pretty nice looking rack-mounted kit, but they all appear to be data hubs.
      - zeckalpha 5y ago
        The power can go through the header pins rather than USB
        jagger27 5y ago
        But if you're using header pins you might as well be using something more trustworthy than a USB power bank.
- jagger27 5y ago
  Sure, that would make more sense than a giant power bar with a dozen 5V wall warts.
- stirfish 5y ago
  I use a 40 port usb charging station to power my raspberry pi cluster, but I don't like it because the fan sounds like a hair dryer running
  - pvillano 5y ago
    if you're using amazon.com/dp/B077R5BVVR/ removing just the outer enclosure and removing that fan should be safe, but it might not be the loudest fan... otherwise the quietest PC is the one in a different room, but you probably already know that
    - stirfish 5y ago
      That's exactly the one I'm using, thanks! I was considering the fan, but I've also been worried about torching my house. I'll give it a shot. I put some work into the frame the cluster is in, and it makes a pretty nice end table. My main pc is a little fanless industrial computer and I love it.

Dylan16807 5y ago

So much of a computer PSU is dedicated to 12 volts, though. I can get a 5V 60A supply for $27 and save a lot of unnecessary complexity. Though either way you might be better off with a series of USB hubs.

klyrs 5y ago
Could usb hubs introduce security issues for the hosts?
- Dylan16807 5y ago
  For USB power? I don't think there should be any way for Pis plugged into the same freestanding hub to talk to each other, but if so you could prevent that with power-only cables.
  - klyrs 5y ago
    Call me paranoid (this is about security after all), but there's no visual distinction between data and power-only cables. While a rogue employee can wreak all sorts of havoc in any data center, it's nice to have as many correct-by-inspection systems as possible. I don't see why one couldn't get a power-only hub, but I couldn't find anything that appeared to be high quality in a quick search. I did find some pretty nice looking rack-mounted kit, but they all appear to be data hubs.
    - zeckalpha 5y ago
      The power can go through the header pins rather than USB
      - jagger27 5y ago
        But if you're using header pins you might as well be using something more trustworthy than a USB power bank.
jagger27 5y ago
Sure, that would make more sense than a giant power bar with a dozen 5V wall warts.
stirfish 5y ago
I use a 40 port usb charging station to power my raspberry pi cluster, but I don't like it because the fan sounds like a hair dryer running
- pvillano 5y ago
  if you're using amazon.com/dp/B077R5BVVR/ removing just the outer enclosure and removing that fan should be safe, but it might not be the loudest fan... otherwise the quietest PC is the one in a different room, but you probably already know that
  - stirfish 5y ago
    That's exactly the one I'm using, thanks! I was considering the fan, but I've also been worried about torching my house. I'll give it a shot. I put some work into the frame the cluster is in, and it makes a pretty nice end table. My main pc is a little fanless industrial computer and I love it.