Case Mod - In Progress Project: Gearbox 2.0 - mini P180 Back to Basics

nice work.

 

Very nice work so far. Really looking forward to seeing this complete.

 

First pieces painted:


More to come.

 

That's some sweet paint dude, Awesome work

 

Nice

 

nice to see you're working on this again

 

Before I painted the rest, I couldn't resist a mock mount:

fits well, connectors dont bump into anything, awesome!


Then things were painted, remounted, and the XLR jacks were added for some perspective

Macro shot of the acrylic divider

Macro of the XLR

top shot

back shot.

Everything is painted with 3 layers of grey wetsand printer, followed by 3 layers of semi flat black from krylon, and 2 layers of satin clear from Krylon. Mmm that's about it for now, next time will detail some wireing hell that Ill have to go through (especially with my level of soldering) but I think Ill manage

Until next time!

 

Can't wait mate, would like to see some detailed pictures of how your wiring the whole junction box thing, if I'm allowed to make such requests, anyways keep up the great work mate

 

I'm liking how the junction box is coming along. Keep it up!

 

Before I start, let me just say, I SUCK AT SOLDERING BIGTIME. So im still learning so bear with me please . Make sure you leave some tips if you see any shoddy workmanship

OK lets begin..

There are the pieces to-be-wired, mounted

Wired, also mounted the case speaker in there too,

routing power-in to the other chamber,

connected and tested (the fans are alive!)

fans closeup

XLR closeup

OK that's all I got done, and it took FOREVER because I messed up so many times hopefully things will move alot more fluidly from here on out.

and of course, the customary mock-fit:





hrm, a bit too long, but it looks fine, so I wont need to fix them.

Well that's all for this week.

Now.. I need your help.
So if you hang out in the modding section, you know I've screwed myself with my key switch, its and ON-OFF switch with the key only removable in on ON position. I wanted to use it to ARM the power switch but it's not going to work like that due to the nature of the switch. I would simply remove it, BUT I already drilled the hole

What should I do it. It has 2 soldering cups on the back, any creative ideas welcome. The best I could think of right now is a temporary fan or pump cutoff switch. BRAINSTORM FOR ME PLEASE I NEED IT

Until next time!

 

you call that mayhem? You should see my desk!

one tip:

Get some strong iron-wire (ignore the language barrier plz, you know what i mean ), and put that insside the cable sleeves with the cables. The wire can be bent to get the exact shape you want. All the cables will look much more organised going in straight, parralel lines and bends. To be completely certain that the form-wires don't contact anything you could use some tape to insulate them i guess.

Anyway, good luck on the soldering lessons, i'm going to have to do the same thing too soon

 

I'm using stripped, heavy, single-strand copper wire for what Xtrafresh said. The other option you have is to hot glue the molex plugs to the board, Compaq-style. (They glued the cr*p out of their systems.)

 

Nice i love the wiring, using similar plugs to what i hope to be using, looks very nice, if myns half as good ill be happy

 

I don't think that looks bad at all!

 

i no youve already started using the RCA's but you could also use din plugs for when there is more then 2 sets of wires needed, like PCI-E connectors.

Like the ideas and progress so far though

 

Well, as for the hole...
Do you have a reset switch? or do a switch for the lights.
*shrug*

 

Your still watercooling this right? I assume your putting the radiator above the junction boxes?

 

@Xtrafresh & Cheapskate:
Yea, strong single strand wire seems like the smart choice, but I dont really like the stuff mainly because I like how multi strand wire sort of "soaks up" the solder and it makes it easier for beginners like me to get work done. I've tried the single strand stuff before and I found it difficult to use I was probably doing it wrong, but I think ill stick to the wiring I have. Maybe once I get better, Ill try the single strand

@Teknokid and '91
Thank you

MixWizard:
Yea, I was planning to do that for the front panel connectors, my only qualm with DIN connectors are that they are ugly Ill probably have to get some anyways and hide them in a corner.

500mph:
Yes I have a reset switch, came with he case haha, I might use it as a light kill switch though, Im going to be taking this to my dorm next year so it may be nice to have a kill switch in case my roomate is bothered by it. Thanks for the sugestion.

Monkey Nutz:
Yes it is, and you are right, the rad and fans go above the junction box. I'll put them back in once i get the fans painted and some modifications are made to the radiators.

Keep the ideas and comments coming please!

Until next time

 

Look at DMX connectors, they are nomally used for stage lights. Look like XLR's only with more pins (Come in 4/5 pin versions). Ive seen the screw type din connectors used elsewhere on someones mod and they looked quite good.

 

SO, I got bored today and didnt feel like wiring, so I made a piece I've been meaning to make for a while now, here it is:


Acrylic border for the underside of the mobo tray.


More pics!

The thing is going to lit from the inside with White LEDs connected to a controller that will make it pulse with the audio or just stay on, cool no?

It still needs to be fine tuned to sit perfectly on the mobo but its almost there.

Until next time!