OWC Mercury Helios Guide

OWC Digital
Mercury Helios®
ASSEMBLY MANUAL & USER GUIDE
®

OWC DIGITAL - MERCURY HELIOS TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................1
1.1 MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
1.1.1 Apple® Mac® Requirements
1.1.2 PC Requirements
1.1.3 Supported PCIe Cards
NOTE: Boot Camp® is not supported. The Thunderbolt certification process
does not include Macs running Windows through Boot Camp.
1.2 PACKAGE CONTENTS
1.3 ABOUT THIS MANUAL
1.4 FRONT VIEW
1.5 REAR VIEW
1.6 SPECIFICATIONS
DEVICE SETUP...................................................................................................3
2.1 ASSEMBLY
2.2 CONNECTION
APPENDIX...........................................................................................................9
3.1 TROUBLESHOOTING
3.2 TECHNICAL SUPPORT INFORMATION

OWC DIGITAL - MERCURY HELIOS INTRODUCTION
1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
1.1.1 Apple® Mac® Requirements
• Thunderbolt™ port, OS X®10.9 or later
1.1.2 PC Requirements
• Thunderbolt port, Windows®7 or later
NOTE: Boot Camp® is not supported. The Thunderbolt certification process does
not include Macs running Windows through Boot Camp.
1.1.3 Supported PCIe Cards
• Thunderbolt-compatible PCIe 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 and the computer. If the Helios is unplugged from power or if the
Thunderbolt cable is unplugged, the Helios will power off and the LED power indicator
will also turn off.
1
Thunderbolt cable
OWC Digital
Mercury Helios®
Power Supply
and cable

OWC DIGITAL - MERCURY HELIOS INTRODUCTION
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1.5 REAR VIEW
1.
1. PCIe slot cover — Remove this PCIe slot cover if you are installing a double-width PCIe
card in the Helios. Even though the Helios has an extra PCIe slot cover, it does NOT contain
two PCIe slots.
2.PCIe slot — Note that there is an opening at the rear of the Helios. This opening lines up
with the single PCIe slot inside the Helios, and the opening will be filled by the bracket of
the PCIe card that you will install.
3. Thunderbolt 2 ports — Connect the included Thunderbolt cable between one of these
ports and another Thunderbolt port on your computer. The other Thunderbolt 2 port can
be used to chain additional Thunderbolt devices. Thunderbolt device chains can contain
up to six total Thunderbolt devices, and a display can be connected at the end.
4. DC power input — Connect the included 12V DC power supply here.
1.6 SPECIFICATIONS
Interface Ports Two Thunderbolt 2 (20Gb/s) ports
Expansion Slot One PCIe 2.0 (x16 slot, operates at x4)
Supported PCIe Cards One half-length (up to 7.75”), full-height, single- or double-width
PCIe card up to x16 (operates at x4);
Graphics cards are NOT supported
Power to PCIe Card 25W (slot) +75W (supplemental power cable)
Power Adapter AC Input: 100-240V, ~50-60Hz
DC Output: 12V, 10A (120W)
Dimensions 9.17 in. x 5.87 in. x 2.99 in. (23.3 cm x 14.9 cm x 7.6 cm)
Weight (Without PCIe Card) 3.85 lbs. (1.75 kg)
Fan Noise Level 23 dB(A)
Operating Temperatures 41° F to 95° F (5° C to 35° C)
Compliances CE, FCC
2
1
4
3

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DEVICE SETUP
These are static-sensitive devices. They are susceptible to invisible dam-
age from static electricity 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.
2.1 ASSEMBLY
1. Remove the OWC Digital Mecury Helios® from its packaging and place it on a soft surface.
2. Loosen the two thumscrews on the rear panel of the Helios, circled below in red. You can
use your hands or a Phillips screwdriver. These are captive screws, so you will not be able
to remove them from the enclosure. Simply loosen the screws until they spin freely.

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3. 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 slot is facing up, as shown below. Using your fingers
or a Phillips screwdriver, remove the screw from the empty PCIe slot, circled below in red.
If you are installing a double-width PCIe card, remove the second screw and lift out the
PCIe slot cover. If you are not installing a double-width card, leave the PCIe slot cover in
place and proceed to the next step.

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5 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 lines up with
the slot in the bottom of the Helios.
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.
6. Press down on the PCIe card to seat the connectors into the PCIe slot, as shown below.
Press staight 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 that there is no damage to the card or the
slot and that the bracket is not bent, then try again.

OWC DIGITAL - MERCURY HELIOS DEVICE SETUP
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7. Use the screw(s) that you removed earlier to secure the PCIe card to the inner chassis, as
circled below. Do not overtighten the screw(s).
8. Slide the inner chassis back into the outer enclosure as shown below, then turn the Helios
so that it is standing on its feet.

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9. When the inner chassis is fully seated into the outer enclosure, tighten the thumbscrews
on the rear panel, circled below in red. Press each screw in toward the enclosure, then twist
clockwise while still applying pressure. Keep twisting until you feel increased resistance.
Assembly is now complete. Proceed to Section 2.2 for information on connecting the
Helios to a computer and to other Thunderbolt devices.

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2.2 CONNECTION
1. Connect the included Thunderbolt cable between the Helios and your computer. If
you intend to chain more Thunderbolt devices, connect a cable between the other
Thunderbolt port on the Helios and a Thunderbolt port on the device you would like
to add to the chain.
2. Make any necessary cable connections to the PCIe cards you have installed.
3. Connect the power adapter to the Helios and into a power outlet.
NOTES:
• The Helios does not have an on/off switch. As long as the power supply is connected,
the Helios 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 will turn off.
• Thunderbolt chains can contain up to six total Thunderbolt devices, and a display can
be connected at the end.
• Make sure that the installed PCIe card is Thunderbolt compatible, either natively or
through a Thunderbolt-compatible driver from the manufacturer.
• Never install a PCIe card while the Helios 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, and the
computer.