A low-power homelab built mostly from used parts
This setup uses cheap used parts and recycled hardware to build a small homelab that can stay on with low power use. A modified UPS with a 9Ah lead battery powers the equipment through a protected outlet and a smart Wi-Fi outlet.
The UPS has a DS18B20 sensor inside and a blower fan taken from an old notebook, because the UPS could reach 50C and overheat. A Mercusys gigabit switch handles wired network connections.
Power is also supplied by a 250W Delta Electronics taken from an older server, connected to a board that provides banana plug outputs and six USB power ports. One machine is a 4 with 4GB of memory in an Argon One case, used for Pi-hole and Unbound network services.
Key points
- The homelab is built mostly from used or recycled hardware.
- The UPS was modified with a sensor and fan to reduce overheating.
- A gigabit switch provides wired network connections.
- An old 250W is reused for extra power outputs.
- A 4 runs Pi-hole and Unbound for home network services.