----- Original Message -----
From: "Brian Chase" <bdc@world.std.com>
To: "Gunther Schadow" <gunther@aurora.regenstrief.org>
Cc: "NetBSD/vax Mailing List" <port-vax@netbsd.org>
Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2001 11:51 AM
Subject: Re: VAX 6000-400 series and NetBSD, I have machines


> The main hurdle I see with the 6000 is getting it to run on 2 or
> single phase power.  IIRC, these boxes are 3-phase
Correct.  It's not hard to make it single phase 220/240vac. Basically,
the mains box is a contactor and switching array only,
it then feeds the 3 phases to a huge autotransformer, which spits out 3
x 220v phases.
It is possible to do away with the tranny, (it's heavy!) tie the actives
together in the mains box, and take a single active to any one of the 3
inputs to the 300VDC supply, a neutral to the original neutral, and it
works.  This supplys 300vdc to the rest of the 5v/12v etc supplys, plus
24vdc for fans etc.
I'm doing a photo aided 'how to' on a the 6000 single phase conversion
at the moment, I will try and hurry it up for you.
Bear in mind that my 6k's are the 415Vv 50Hz variant, but the practical
differences should be trivial, probably just the autotransformer.

> And then I also need
> to upgrade my power here from 100A service to at least 200A.

Not really, unless you already have a lot of stuff.
They only consume around 500-600w, plus whatever drives and terms you
have.
FWIW, a 6000-440 at work here pulls just over 600w.  The HSC70 actually
pulls more, even though it's half the size. (Around 900w).

Cheers

Geoff Roberts
Computer Systems Manager
Saint Mark's College
Port Pirie,
South Australia
geoffrob@stmarks.pp.catholic.edu.au
netcafe@tell.net.au
ICQ: 1970476