# Powering clusters?

**URL:** <https://forum.pioreactor.com/t/powering-clusters/118>\
**Category:** Hardware, PWM, and Optics\
**Created:** [June 1, 2023, 6:03pm UTC](https://forum.pioreactor.com/t/powering-clusters/118 "2023-06-01T18:03:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![chri-s](https://forum.pioreactor.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/91b2a8/32.png) [@chri-s](https://forum.pioreactor.com/u/chri-s)\
**Post date:** [June 1, 2023, 6:03pm UTC](https://forum.pioreactor.com/t/powering-clusters/118/1 "2023-06-01T18:03:45Z")

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I’m curious what more hardware-attuned folks might suggest for powering a cluster of pioreactors, including pumps. Ideally we won’t need a pair of wall wart for each unit. Safety, stability, and reliability are also important factors.

Roughly, per reactor:

- 5V: 1x Pi, ~2-3 A
- 12V:
  - 1x hat (what does this draw?)
  - 3x pumps, 0.2-0.3 A max draw each
  - (Maybe!) N pinch valves (~0.25-0.75 A max draw, maybe less with hit and hold circuits)

So something like 3-5 A, 20-30 W per reactor. Would a PC PSU work best?

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**Author:** ![sputnick](https://forum.pioreactor.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/8c91f0/32.png) [@sputnick](https://forum.pioreactor.com/u/sputnick)\
**Post date:** [January 4, 2024, 3:23pm UTC](https://forum.pioreactor.com/t/powering-clusters/118/2 "2024-01-04T15:23:15Z")

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I just bought these 12V breakout USB C cable from Adafruit. I’m thinking that a good USB C Hub would be plenty to power the RPis and Hats of my 2x Pioreactor’s supplying both 5v and 12v.

Good idea/bad?

> **[USB Type C 3.1 PD to 5.5mm Barrel Jack Cable - 12V 5A Output](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5450)**
>
> This cable will let you get rid of all those wall adapters you have stashed in the plastic bin in the basement. Instead of multiple wall warts with different power and current capabilities, ...