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Overview Decision Brands DIY Build Parts List Assembly Operations Checklist

Build sequence

Assembly & wiring

Work with the AC cord unplugged. Power the controller down for several seconds before restarting. Match specific controller ports to source, HDD, and target roles.

One-box wiring

One-box power and data wiring Power path from AC through UPS and PSU to all drives, with dedicated SATA data lines from controller to source and seven targets. One-box wiring map Gold = power · Teal = SATA data · One channel per drive 120 VAC UPS / strip 400–500 W PSU Controller Source T1 T2 T3…T7 Controller ports SRC TGT 1–7 Optional HDD Source T1 T2 T3 T4–7 Use documented port map — never infer from physical bay order Latch connectors · avoid sharp 90° bends · ≤ 60 cm preferred
Every optical drive gets its own SATA data channel from the controller.
120 VAC
   |
[Surge strip / UPS]
   |
[400–500 W ATX PSU]
   |-- SATA power --> Controller
   |-- SATA power --> Source drive
   |-- SATA power --> Targets 1–7
   `-- 12 V/fan power --> Intake and exhaust fans

Controller source port  ---- SATA ----> Source drive
Controller target ports ---- SATA ----> Targets 1–7

Split-enclosure wiring

Split 5+4 enclosure layout Primary five-bay box with controller, source, and three targets connected by four short shielded links to a four-bay satellite holding targets 4 through 7. Compact shipping workaround: 5 + 4 split Not daisy-chaining — four separate point-to-point SATA channels, side-by-side only PRIMARY · 5 bays Controller Source Target 1 Target 2 Target 3 Primary PSU 250–350 W Bulkheads T4–T7 → 4× short < 1 m each SATELLITE · 4 bays Target 4 Target 5 Target 6 Target 7 Satellite PSU 200–300 W Rules • Keep boxes adjacent • Sync both PSUs • Label both ends • No hot-plug • Strain-relieve
Keep each complete remote path — including pigtails and adapters — under 1 meter, preferably 0.6–0.8 m.
  • Do not bundle remote data cables tightly against AC input wiring or fan motors
  • Do not hot-plug writers during operation
  • Secure every bulkhead; provide strain relief; label both ends T4–T7
  • Passive adapters on ordinary internal SATA signaling reduce the safe total path to ~1 m

Power design

Optical drives use both 5 V and 12 V. Published examples show max consumption roughly 25–37 W per drive. Eight drives create a substantial simultaneous tray/spin-up load even when average CD writing is lower.

One-box recommendation

  • Reputable 400–500 W ATX PSU
  • ≥ 20 A on the 5 V rail
  • ≥ 20 A on the 12 V rail
  • Eight drive-power connectors (native or quality harnesses)
  • OCP / OVP / short-circuit protection
  • ≤ 2 optical drives per cheap molded splitter branch

Wattage includes transient margin — not continuous 500 W draw. Microboards seven-target Blu-ray towers used 400 W supplies as a commercial reference.

Split-build recommendation

  • Primary: 250–350 W for controller, source, three targets, fans
  • Satellite: 200–300 W for four targets and fans
  • Start both with dual-PSU sync module or proper relay
  • Manual order: satellite first, then primary/controller
  • Shutdown: reverse the order

Never connect DC outputs of two PSUs together. Never feed the same drive from two supplies. Late-powering remote drives may be absent until restart.

Assembly sequence

  1. Bench-test the controller with one source and one target writer on the intended PSU; confirm copy, test, and verify.
  2. Qualify the drive model: burn at least ten CDs from audio and data masters before buying the remaining drives.
  3. Prepare the chassis: rails, fans, controller supports, PSU, switch, grounded AC inlet, grommets, rear bulkheads.
  4. Mount the controller with ventilated component side; contact chassis metal only at intended mounting points.
  5. Mount drives: source above targets; label targets 1–7.
  6. Wire data to documented controller ports — do not infer port order from physical proximity.
  7. Wire DC power; balance drives across PSU cable branches; seat connectors fully.
  8. If split: build four separately labeled short shielded point-to-point links to the satellite.
  9. Check grounding: chassis, PSU shell, and AC protective earth bonded; no accessible loose mains.
  10. First boot: power satellite first (or sync), then primary; confirm all eight drives in Device Info.
  11. Load defaults and update only with firmware for the exact controller hardware revision.
  12. Run diagnostics; exercise every tray; perform a test cycle before recordable media.
  13. Run a seven-target burn at 24X; verify every disc; try 32X only if stable.
  14. Document the build: controller version, drive model/firmware, cable labels, PSU model, known-good media lot.

Test & acceptance — production-ready only after all pass

  • All eight drives detected on ten consecutive cold starts
  • Each target burns and reads back ten discs without controller error
  • Seven-target batch completes at 24X with zero failures
  • Second seven-target batch succeeds from a different master and media lot
  • Audio track count, gaps, total time, CD-TEXT, ISRC/MCN, and finalization are correct
  • Data discs verify and compare against the master
  • Every finished disc mounts on a computer; samples play in ≥ 3 unrelated players
  • No warm SATA/power connectors, drive resets, or tray stalls
  • Three consecutive full batches without overheating
  • Power interruption and restart do not corrupt controller settings

If failure rates rise: lower write speed, inspect blank-media quality, verify controller/drive firmware, and test each writer independently.