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PowerSledge
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July 14th, 2005 18:00
PowerEdge 2600 Tower to Rack Conversion
I'm having a very frustrating time trying to get parts to mount a pair of tower-configured PowerEdge 2600 servers in a rack. Someone told me to get Versa Rail kits, so I did. On the sales quote, it has part #310-2798. On the packing slip, it has a different part number, 7R718. The rails fit in the rack fine, but there is no way to attach the 2600 to the rails. The "Rack Installation Guide" (p/n 5J802 Rev. A00) refers to a tower-to-rack kit that includes a front panel, bezel, six shoulder screws, and six washers. It doesn't give a part number for this kit. It says you have to remove the system cover to attach the shoulder screws, and then before rack-mounting the server, you're supposed to replace the cover. But I doubt this is possible, because the system cover appears to cover the holes where the shoulder screws are attached.
I gather from this forum that the tower-to-rack conversion kit is part #7R725. My Dell rep doesn't have a listing for this part, so after serveral long phone calls, I ordered two of them from the spare parts department. After a week or so, I checked the status and found the order was cancelled. After several more long phone calls, I was informed that the order was cancelled because the parts are on backorder.
Just browsing the forum, I've come up with two more part numbers, 310-2816 and 7R720. At this point, I am a little wary of ordering parts. Can anyone point me to documentation that can provide a drawing of the parts I need along with part numbers that can actually be ordered? Has anyone actually done this before who could kindly guide me through the sales process? Thanks. -Sledge.
PowerSledge
5 Posts
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Posted July 18th, 2005 18:00
Will - As I mentioned above, the threaded holes seem to be swaged to keep the screws tight. I don't think a thread-locking compound like Loctite is necessary to keep the screws from unscrewing themselves. Not only do they have a tight fit, but the weight of the server is resting on them, which also tends to keep them in place. Even if they could come unscrewed, I doubt there is half an inch of clearance for them to come completely out of the holes. Nonetheless, if someone wants to take the extra precaution, Loctite in various formulas is available at auto supply stores and some hardware stores. It is a liquid that hardens after application and expands slightly.My initial statement that the Dell screws are nothing more than flat-headed machine screws may be wrong. I have never seen the Dell screws. It seems impossible to procure a sample. But I now have two PowerEdge 2600 servers resting comfortably on flat-headed machine screws, so I guess it doesn't matter. -Sledge.keithqnguyen
3 Posts
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Posted July 10th, 2006 20:00
Okay, I have both kits. The problem I'm having is i can't find those mounting holes for the shoulder screws. I looked and both sides and can't find them! What am i doing wrong? I'm about ready to drill my own holes! HAHA --=Keith- Well, I hope you haven't started drilling holes just yet... Basically, you take off the faceplate (pain in the rear--thank you Dell sanitizers...), then take off the left side panel (ie, the side with the power supply (ies) in it). On the top and bottom (now sides) under that panel are your screw holes!
- You pretty much toss the panel, yeah. I certainly hope it's possible to keep the original face plate, I'm not dropping $300 (on eBay) for a new one). I would recommend using little pieces of metal with screw holes to hold the server into the rack. Now, mind, I haven't tried this yet, but I'm pretty sure it would do. What I mean is this:
The rails have 4 bolt holes on the front. With the replacement faceplate, the second hole up appears to be used by the thumbscrews which are on the metal ears that protrude from the sides of the case. These hold the server in the rack, preventing it from sliding out in the event of, well, anything. What I envision doing is taking any ol' piece of metal with a screw hole in it of the appropriate size (for example, some unused ears from a 1U piece of equipment) and screwing it into that second hole down. Perhaps use a washer to make things even. Then turn the metal so that it is over part of the faceplate, as a latch type arrangement.
It wouldn't be pretty, but it should do the job. You'll have to discard the silver Dell outer faceplate hinged bit, but it's still a lot cheaper than finding a 7R725.Message Edited by kdcarlile on 07-17-200603:07 PM
keithqnguyen
3 Posts
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Posted July 17th, 2006 19:00
You’re a genius!! Thank you for that bit of information. The instructions were a bit vague. So I’ll have to toss the left panel when I remove it correct? Also is it possible to just keep the original face plate? --=Keith
PowerSledge
5 Posts
593
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Posted July 15th, 2005 12:00
Never mind. I revisited this yesterday, and the problem is solved. Here's the scoop.
- The so-called shoulder screws are simply flat-headed machine screws. I bought six of them, size 10-32x1/2" for $1.12 at the hardware store. This is all you need to mount the 2600 on the rails.
- You don't have to remove the system cover. You do need to remove the opposite cover to reveal the threaded holes for the 10-32 screws. You will not replace this cover.
- Put the screws in until there are just a couple threads still showing. The holes are swaged so the screws are tight without screwing them all the way in.
- It might be nice to have the logo the right way around and the front panel that keeps the server from sliding out of the rack, but it seems Dell doesn't want us to have them. Instead, I plan to turn my head sideways whenever I want to read the logo. I'll make clips to keep the server from sliding.
-Sledge.