Hey all, My car mp3 player is almost a reality. I have 2 more steps till it's in working order. The biggest of these is finding/making as small a case as I can. I have an extra computer, that was a CS server until I joined a clan that had a good one, that I'd like to use. It's a standard ATX form P3 motherboard. So I have 2 questions really: 1) Is there a slim case or something like it I can buy? This is going in my trunk behind my subs, next to my amp so I'd like to make it small as I can. b) If I can't buy one what's a nice cheap material I can use that will hold together? It doesn't really need to be pretty, for the moment it's hidden. I was looking at Linear's invisible case and although it'd be nice to build a cool plexi case, I don't think I have the money or time to do it (like he said it took close to a month.) Thanks.
beh amps = EMI = bad for ure mobo. have u tried the glove compartment? u could EMI shield it though.....any more thoughts guys???
yah it won't be right next to it like on top of it or anything, but that was a bit of a thought. It'd be a few feet from the thing, how much shielding would I need?
just get a good metal case...and line it with aluminum foil. Theres also a metal mesh thats very fine that can be used to shield equipment. Very flexible and easy to use....in fact I have a rather large roll of it sitting my garage....if you were to slip unmarked bills under my desk i might be inclined to send u some....
My case took me three months to finish, for a couple of reasons. First I had never worked with acrylic before, so I did everything twice more or less. (Some things more than twice ). And also I had weird geometry that I was working with, and did loads of hand work polishing things out. Now for your car, who cares actually how it looks. I'd go with aluminum L-channel as your frame, and river ot screw on acrylic panels. Use 1/8" sheet, you can score and snap it, you'll be done in two days tops, with time left over to drink a cold beer. Have a look at planning your acrylic case for some more things you'll need (want anyway) to think about before you start cutting.
right...which leads me to another question...not really a question but a statement. I've read a few articles, but I really haven't played around with building things (usually I just chop them up you know ) So, where does one go about buying sheet metal to make a case out of?
but on another note...I think that would look bad ass! An alu frame with plexi sides... I love you linear.
Dam I was thinkin of that idea today on the way home from work. Guess I'll hafta think up another one now. (turns on think cap)
dammit linear is stealing my ideas ! ah well since i didn't have money for it to build it could take a long time before it's finished since i'm still modding this old midi case i got lying around (I would use black smoked acrylic, it would look slick with the alu frames i gues)
Have you thought about using one of those camara/equipment cases that sell for about £20? There are quite robust, have a handle for mobility, and they look shiny You should be able to find one that is big enough to hold an atx + drives etc! You may of seen several projects where people have used them for lan boxs. :dude:
I used an old equipment case and I jammed it under my seat. The heat and humidity killed it. That is what I get for living in a jungle.
Acutally Yammosk reccommended that case. Since it's a micro/flex ATX, I doubt it would fit a full size ATX board.
anyone ever seen the "computer shoved into a rubbermaid toolbox" or the "computer shoved into an aluminum briefcase" mods? the toolbox would fit the whole trunk theme you got goin here .....
