RM version of netPower 16P

RouterOS General
1

Hi Mikrotik team,

Why isn’t there a rack mountable version of netPower 16P?
I think it would be useful.

Thanks’,
Geo

2

Because it is easy to make one yourself if needed?
JFYI:
http://forum.mikrotik.com/t/suggestions-for-netpower-16p-wall-mounting/183861/1

3

I meant the installation in a 19" network rack, not in an electrical rack on the DIN rail. That way I can attach the switch with a wire to an internal pole.

4

I see, now :slight_smile: .

I think the idea is to sell the faster (but almost double the price) CRS328-24P-4S+RM:
https://mikrotik.com/product/crs328_24p_4s_rm


I believe the netpower can still be modified with some clever work with a hack saw, see starting from here:
http://forum.mikrotik.com/t/switch-in-rb509-l009-formfactor/180421/1

In any case it will take 2U, possibly 3U if you want to allow some more circulation of air to the heatsinks (which become horizontal).

5

One potential issue with the NetPower 16 is that it does not have any fans. Thus if you mount it in a horizontal ( flat ) position in a rack where the rack is in a remote tower location without air conditioners ( cooling ) , the NetPower 16 may run hotter because of less cooling.
The NetPower 16 was designed to be mounted outdoors in a vertical position , which then permits better cooling.

One of the custom modifications I have done is to modify a Mikrotik rackmount PoE router/switch to operate on DC instead of AC.
Example , I have several Mikrotik 24-Port CRS328-24P-4S+ and Mikrotik 48-Port CRS354-48P-4S+2Q+RM ( PoE ports to power my APs ) I have modified.
These Mikrotik PoE CRS rack mounted routers/switches have fans.
It’s pretty easy to remove the internal AC power supplies and connect all of the internal motherboard power supply wires/connectors ( grounds , commons , +24 Volt and +48 Volt ) to an external DC connector where the AC connector was mounted. Then make a cable that runs from a battery backup DC UPS ( ALG DC-UPS +24 Volt and a second optional ALG DC-UPS +48 Volt ) to your DC modified Mikrotik CRS.

I have several DC modified Mikrotik CRS PoE routers/switches at most of my remote towers for several years now. None of them have ever had a problem.

For my external batteries , I use two or four 12 Volt truck batteries connected to my ALG DC-UPS power supplies.

This setup is far far far more efficient than a 120 Volt UPS. Also no tower located generators are needed. I can run about a week or more on battery power , and when the AC utility power is restored , the external batteries will fully recharge. This completely eliminates the need for a generator and no more trips to a remote deep snow covered mountain top tower to replenish fuel.

I have posted multiple times in these Mikrotik forums how I modified my Mikrotik CRS routers/switches and included pictures. Search the forums and you can find them.

** I wish Mikrotik would come out with an optional simple cable harness for their CRS routers/switches ( the AC powered routers/switches that include a “P-” in their model name ) - to make it super easy for others to do the same.

If you are like me , you have and use the PoE watchdog to auto power-cycle your tower APs when they stop communicating. And all of your remote APs and routers/switches have DC power to enable you to operate weeks or more when the power goes out - and not have to worry about will the generator start and when/how do I get generator fuel there during a disaster. Also , no worry about how long a 120 Volt UPS will last on battery power and are those tiny UPS batteries still good.

North Idaho Tom Jones