Trystar SL20

Description

In an air cooled data center, server fans draw conditioned air through the front of each rack and discharge heated air into the hot aisle. The cooling system must remove that heat while maintaining the specified rack inlet temperature, airflow, and pressure conditions throughout the data hall.

Data center commissioning is performed before production servers are installed to verify the cooling system is ready for live load. Rack-mounted load banks, also called heaters, server rack heaters, or precision air heaters, convert electrical power into heat where the servers will operate. Commissioning teams use that controlled heat to test cooling capacity, hot-aisle and cold-aisle performance, airflow distribution, and temperature change (ΔT) under load.

The Trystar SL20 is a 20kW rack-mounted air cooled load bank used for data center commissioning. For teams familiar with the Simplex MicroStar Precision Air Heater, the SL20 performs the same core function: it generates adjustable heat and airflow from a 10U unit installed in a standard 19-inch server rack. The SL20 handles single phase 208Vac, 230Vac, or 240Vac power and applies load in controlled 1.5kW steps.

Unlike larger floor-mounted load banks, the Trystar SL20 places the heat source inside the rack and directs air from front to rear, following the same airflow path as installed servers. The SL20 weighs 43 pounds and is easier to deploy where floor space or aisle access is limited. Standard IEC C20 connections connect the heater to rack power distribution, while six variable-speed fans provide approximately 375 to 1,584 CFM for testing different server power densities and airflow conditions.

Every Trystar SL20 rental from A-Rent is functionally tested, inspected, and shipped in its OEM travel case so it arrives complete and project ready. Larger air cooled load banks, power cabling, and other accessories are also available for rent. A-Rent field technician support is available to support onsite deployment so the systems can be commissioned as designed.

FAQs

When should you use a Trystar SL20 rack-mounted load bank?

The Trystar SL20 is used during data center commissioning before production servers are installed. It is also used after cooling system modifications, rack-density changes, or data hall expansions. Installing the load bank in the server rack tests the cooling system and rack power distribution under a controlled electrical and thermal load.

What can you test with a Trystar SL20?

The Trystar SL20 tests:

• Rack inlet and hot-aisle temperatures
• Temperature change (ΔT) across the rack
• Airflow through the server rack
• Hot-aisle and cold-aisle containment
• Air recirculation and bypass air
• Cooling-system response as load is increased
• Rack power distribution under load

Technicians can adjust the electrical load and fan speed independently to compare cooling performance at different server power densities and airflow conditions.

How is the Trystar SL20 different from a floor-mounted load bank?

A floor-mounted load bank introduces heat into the room but does not reproduce the location or airflow path of a server. The Trystar SL20 mounts inside a standard 19-inch rack and moves air from front to rear, placing the heat where the IT equipment will operate. Its 10U design and 43-pound weight make it easier to deploy where floor space or aisle access is limited.

Is the Trystar SL20 equivalent to the Simplex MicroStar Precision Air Heater?

The Trystar SL20 performs the same core function as the Simplex MicroStar. Both are 10U, rack-mounted precision air heaters used to apply adjustable heat and airflow during hot-aisle and cold-aisle testing. The units are not identical: the SL20 is rated for 20kW at 240Vac, while the MicroStar is rated for 17.5kW. Connection, control, and airflow specifications also differ. If a commissioning plan specifies the MicroStar, A-Rent can confirm whether the SL20 meets the required heat load, voltage, airflow, and rack configuration.

How much load does the Trystar SL20 apply at each voltage?

The Trystar SL20 is rated for:

• 20 kW at 240 Vac
• 18.4 kW at 230 Vac
• 15 kW at 208 Vac

The available load decreases with applied voltage because the SL20 uses resistive heating elements. Individual load steps increase the thermal load progressively rather than applying it all at once.

Can multiple Trystar SL20 load banks be used together?

Yes. Multiple SL20 load banks can apply heat at several racks to increase the total simulated load. Units are distributed according to the planned rack density to test individual rows, containment zones, or larger sections of the cooling system. Each unit is staged separately according to the commissioning plan. The SL20 does not use a common networked controller.

Can the Trystar SL20 be used with larger air cooled or liquid cooled load banks?

Yes. During a combined test, the SL20 verifies rack-level airflow and aisle containment, larger air cooled load banks add room-level electrical and thermal load, and liquid cooled load banks test Coolant Distribution Units (CDUs) and Technology Cooling Systems (TCSs). This arrangement tests air cooled, liquid cooled, and electrical infrastructure during the same commissioning program.

What equipment is needed to operate a Trystar SL20?

A typical setup includes:

• A standard 19-inch server rack with at least 10U of available space
• Power cords compatible with the SL20’s IEC C20 connections
• Rack power distribution or temporary distribution equipment
• Additional SL20 units or larger load banks when more capacity is required
• Temperature, airflow, or pressure instruments required by the commissioning plan

A-Rent provides the load banks, accessories, and supporting test equipment required for the setup.

How do you install the Trystar SL20 in a server rack?

The Trystar SL20 occupies 10U in a standard 19-inch server rack. Locating pins position the unit, and quarter-turn locking tabs secure it during operation. The front and rear must remain unobstructed so the six fans can draw air through the front and discharge heated air through the rear.

How is the Trystar SL20 powered?

The Trystar SL20 connects to compatible rack power distribution through IEC C20 connections. Cord and distribution requirements depend on the available voltage, circuit capacity, and required test load. A-Rent can supply the power cabling and distribution equipment for the application. Qualified personnel should make the connections according to the equipment instructions and site safety procedures.

Can the Trystar SL20 operate continuously?

Yes. The Trystar SL20 is forced-air cooled and rated for continuous operation. Six variable-speed fans provide approximately 375 to 1,584 CFM of airflow. Over-temperature protection and internal fuses protect the heater circuits. The air inlet and discharge must remain clear during operation.

Is technical support available with a Trystar SL20 rental?

Yes. Field technician support is available from A-Rent to assist with onsite deployment.

How does A-Rent ensure its Trystar SL20 load banks are project ready?

Every Trystar SL20 is functionally tested and inspected before each rental. Each unit ships in its OEM travel case.