OWC Mercury Helios 2 Guide

OWC Mercury Helios 2
ASSEMBLY MANUAL & USER GUIDE

OWC MERCURY HELIOS 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................1
1.1 MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
1.1.1 Apple® Mac® Requirements
1.1.2 PC Requirements
1.1.3 Supported PCIe Cards
1.2 PACKAGE CONTENTS
1.3 ABOUT THIS MANUAL
1.4 FRONT VIEW
1.5 REAR VIEW
1.6 SPECIFICATIONS
2. SYSTEM SETUP.............................................................................................3
2.1 ASSEMBLY
2.2 CONNECTION
3. APPENDIX ......................................................................................................9
3.1 TROUBLESHOOTING
3.2 TECHNICAL SUPPORT HOURS AND CONTACT INFORMATION

OWC MERCURY HELIOS 2 INTRODUCTION
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INTRODUCTION
1.1 MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
1.1.1 Apple® Mac® Requirements
•Thunderbolt™ port, OS X®10.6 or later
1.1.2 PC Requirements
•Thunderbolt port, Windows®7 or later
1.1.3 Supported PCIe Cards
•Up to two Thunderbolt-compatible PCIe 2.0 cards (see Section 1.6 for details).
1.2 PACKAGE CONTENTS
1.3 ABOUT THIS MANUAL
Firmware, images, and descriptions may vary slightly between this manual and the unit
shipped. Functions and features may change depending on the firmware version. Please
visit the product webpage for the most recent product specifications.
1.4 FRONT VIEW
1. LED Power Indicator — This LED illuminates when there is an active data connection
between the Helios 2 and the computer. If the Helios 2 is unplugged from power or if the
Thunderbolt cable is unplugged, the Helios 2 will power off and the LED power indicator
will also turn off.
Thunderbolt cableOWC Mercury
Helios 2
Power Supply
and cable
Thunderbolt
cable lock
1

OWC MERCURY HELIOS 2 INTRODUCTION
2
1.5 REAR VIEW
1. PCIe slot covers — Note that there are three total PCIe slot covers, but the third slot cover
is used to accomodate a double-width PCIe card, not to install a third PCIe card. The Helios
2 contains two PCIe 2.0 slots.
2.Thunderbolt ports — Connect the included Thunderbolt cable between one of these
ports and another Thunderbolt port on your computer. The other Thunderbolt port can
be used to chain additional Thunderbolt devices. Thunderbolt device chains can contain
up to six total Thunderbolt devices.
3. DC power input — Connect the included 12V DC power supply here.
1.6 SPECIFICATIONS
Interface Ports Two Thunderbolt 2 (20Gb/s) ports
Expansion Slots Two PCIe 2.0 (x8 slots, operate at x4)
Supported PCIe Cards Two half-length (up to 7.75”), full-height, single-width PCIe cards
up to x8; OR
One half-length, full-height, single width card and one half-length,
full-height, double width card
Power to Each PCIe Slot 25W
Power Adapter AC Input: 100-240V, ~50-60Hz 2.0A
DC Output: 12V, 7.5A (90W)
Dimensions 6.5 in. x 11 in. x 4.6 in. (16.5 cm x 27.9 cm x 11.7 cm)
Weight (Without PCIe Cards) 3.7 lbs. (1.7 kg)
Operating Temperatures 32° F to 95° F (0° C to 35° C)
Compliances FCC part 15, RoHS
2
1
3

OWC MERCURY HELIOS 2 SYSTEM SETUP
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SYSTEM SETUP
These are static-sensitive devices. They are susceptible to invisible damage
if not protected during assembly.
We recommend proper grounding by using a grounding strap. Make sure
to work in a clean and static-free area, and avoid wearing clothing that
retains static charges.
For more information, please visit: http://www.macsales.com/static
2.1 ASSEMBLY
1. Remove the Helios 2 from its packaging and place it upside down on a soft surface, as
shown below.
2. Remove the four Phillips screws from the outer enclosure, as circled below in red.

OWC MERCURY HELIOS 2 SYSTEM SETUP
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3. Flip the Helios 2 over and set it on its feet. Push on the inner chassis at the rear to get the
inner chassis to begin sliding out of the outer enclosure, as shown below. When the inner
chassis has moved far enough, pull on the front of the inner chassis to remove it fully from
the outer enclosure.
4. Turn the inner chassis so that the PCIe slots are facing up, as shown below. Remove the
Phillips screw holding one of the PCIe slot covers in place, circled below in red.

OWC MERCURY HELIOS 2 SYSTEM SETUP
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5. Remove the PCIe slot cover from the inner chassis, as shown below. Lift the PCIe slot cover
directly up. It will come out easily.
6. If you are installing a second PCIe card and/or a double-width PCIe card, repeat step 4 and
step 5 to remove the remaining PCIe slot covers, as necessary.
7. Install the PCIe card as shown below. Line up the connectors on the PCIe card with the
PCIe slot, and make sure that the edge of the metal bracket on the PCIe card fits into the
gap between the circuit board and the metal back of the inner chassis of the Helios 2.
NOTE: Handle the PCIe card only by its edges. Do not touch any of the components on
the face of the PCIe card or the golden connectors.

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8. Press down on the PCIe card to seat the connectors into the PCIe slot in the Helios 2, as
shown below. Press directly down; do not twist or rock the card. If the card does not seat
fully, do not force it in. Remove the card, check to make sure there is no damage to the
card or the slot, then try again.
9. Use the screw that you removed in step 4 to secure the PCIe card to the inner chassis, as
circled below. Do not overtighten the screw.
10. If you are installing a second PCIe card, repeat steps 7-9.

OWC MERCURY HELIOS 2 SYSTEM SETUP
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11. Turn the inner chassis back to its original position, then slide it back into the outer
enclosure, as shown below.
12. Flip the Helios 2 upside down and use the four screws removed in step 2 to secure the
inner chassis to the outer enclosure, as shown below.
Assembly is now complete. Proceed to Section 2.2 for information on connecting the
Helios 2 to a computer and to other Thunderbolt devices.

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2.2 CONNECTION
1. Connect the included Thunderbolt cable between the Helios 2 and your computer.
If you intend to chain more Thunderbolt devices, connect a cable between the other
Thunderbolt port on the Helios 2 and a Thunderbolt port on the device you would like
to add to the chain.
2. If you would like to secure the Thunderbolt cables to the Helios 2, use a Phillips
screwdriver to install the optional Thunderbolt cable lock, as shown below. Note that
the Thunderbolt cable lock is not compatible with optical Thunderbolt cables. If you are
using one or more optical Thunderbolt cables, skip this step.
3. Make any necessary cable connections to the PCIe cards installed in the Helios 2.
4. Connect the power adapter to the Helios 2 and into a power outlet.
NOTES:
•The Helios 2 does not have an on/off switch. As long as the power supply is connected,
the Helios 2 will turn on when it receives a data signal through the Thunderbolt cable.
If there is no Thunderbolt cable connected, or if the computer is off or in a sleep or
hibernation mode, the Helios 2 will turn off.
•Thunderbolt chains can contain up to six total Thunderbolt devices.
•Make sure that all installed PCIe cards are Thunderbolt compatible, either natively or
through a Thunderbolt-compatible driver from the manufacturer.
•Never install a PCIe card while the Helios 2 is connected to power or to a computer.
Doing so carries a risk of injury as well as damage to the PCIe card, the Helios 2, and
the computer.
•While the Helios 2 supports up to two PCIe cards, it can be used with a single PCIe
card installed. If installing only one card, it does not matter which PCIe slot is used.