I posted a thread like this in a different section, but got no replies, I think it was the wrong section. So I'll start it here where I think the "right" kind of people are. I have my rads (2 '86 chevette HCs) at the bottom front of my case. Since this seems to be the most popular place to put rads, I figured there would be lots of material out there to open up the front of the case to get air into the rads, but I can't find bugger all. Can anybody give me some ideas, or direct me to some pics for ideas?
http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=90844 This was my work on this heatercore .. i have since upgraded the heatercore to a slightly larger one. I will have to cut it open a little more. Hope it helps
Thanks for the reply but I'm already that far as you can see in these pics. What I need to do is make an opening in this, So that the rads can get lots of air but will still be protected from getting smashed in by a wayward foot.
all i can think is dremel out the front and put a grill on there. theres a guy on this fourm selling some grills that fit your bill. another option would be mesh. EDIT: http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=87594
you could swiss cheese the front with a drill, though time consuming, if done right it would look cool. You could cut out a square, rectangele, ovaliod, triangle, whatever and leave it open, cover it in mesh, etc. The cheapest mesh i have found is the stuff that comes off of old gutters. After large storms, the sheets of mesh (6"x4') fell off. So we replaced the gutters and i have a few sheets kicking around. You could also cut narrow strips down the front Or cut a large square, then overlap strips of aluminum, plastic whatever. so it looks sealed off, but it has airflow between the strips as seen in a cross section below. Code: -------- ---------- ---------- Top Layer ===== ======== Case Plastic --------- ---------- Bottom Layer
wow I have the exact same a case with one 120mm fan mounted in the front. I used a a drill press and grid paper to make a pattern (maple leaf, canadian theme) I'll see if I can find a pic. the curved bezel is gonna make any normal sheet metal grill hard to work with, mesh would work but it depends on what the theme is. My grill blends in perfectly and gets decent airflow
ohh and just outta curiousity are you going to throw something else into that loop? dual rads seems like overkill for a just a single proc
I have the same problem with my case! Curved bezel so can't put a fan grill on there, probably look at getting some mesh soonish it seems like the easiest option.
I am not alone!! Ya its looking like expanded steel (mesh) or perforated steel is going to be the way to go. Just making it look finished and not like a hack job is going to take some work. The reason for the dual rads is I have a 226W pelt sitting here waiting to go. I just need to design and build a psu for it... I want the temp to be regulated. Also I may stick a pelt on my GPU, but the air soultion I have now is very quiet and gets my R9800 core to 490MHz so there's not a big push there ATM.
Google: http://www.google.com/search?num=100&hl=en&lr=&q=floor+register+vent&btnG=Search to find items like http://www.americanmetalproducts.com/grd/homedetails/hardwoods.htm . They are made to be stepped on, so a casual kick won't hurt them. Some double as filter holder. Size 8"x14" is a little on the large side but it should fit your heat exchangers nicely. To get some extra gap you can also take out the sides walls of the front cover (add standoffs to support remaining front). From the pics I estimate that gives you at least 1/2" each side, so you get away with smaller openings at the front.
