Scratch Build – In Progress Project: Kenwood HTPC, Update 26th September - Done!

if you have room for 80mm fans, use them instead of the 60mm ones. Will be more silent that way.

 

I don't remember if I could fit an 80mm or not. I changed the design with the power supply getting smaller...darn...now I can't remember what I was thinking.

Update: Ok, I checked, an 80mm won't fit. The space I have is just slightly too small for an 80mm. Good...I thought I had screwed up there for a second.... I'm not too worried about silence, I have a 360, I'm used to unecessary noise .

 

ROFL you guys are funny, Noise!!!! ROFL, My computer = F16 jet fighter! But I got used of that, 1 year with F16 so I'm cool now

Good luck.

 

I was thinking about something along the lines like this:


(Very roughly drawn - sorry)

This could be very effective like a cross-flow fan, depending on how you are gonna mount the hardware and psu though.

 

Oh right, I never posted my CAD pics of the interior layout. I'll do that later. As far as what you're saying...I can't see it, 'cause my work blocks image repository sites , but I'll check it out later and see what you mean.

Update: Oh, yeah, I see what you mean. I thought about that. The only problem with that is I'm going to have it sitting next to other stuff under the TV that run hot, so intake air would be warm and not very helpful. That's why I'm doing it front to back instead. I'll post a pic of my interior layout later.

 

Ok, here's the interior of the case, per my CAD drawing.

Red=Motherboard, Blue=Power Supply, Black=Case Fans, Green=Hard Drive​

I was taking a look at my work and I noticed that the fans don't fit . Sigh. So, only one 60mm fan in the back. Either that or I'll have to bring the size down a little bit somehow. We'll see.

 

damm that will be very very burning case! The hardware will cook inside dude this is not good, I have Idea for you, Put 2X 120mm at the top of the case and make that 60mm take out the hot air, like this it will be wihtout noise and cool

Good luck.

 

Yeah, I also think you need more cooling mate. 2 120mm on top should work great. Maybe you need to consider the idea.

 

Ok, I checked the real world fit, and both 60mm fans will work fine. I think that should be enough cooling. They're both 12cfm, that's a fair amount of air movement. I'll test it when it's all hooked up, if it's not enough I have a backup plan.

 

Finally an update!
Sorry I've been so slow, it's time to kick this project into high gear. It has to be done by the 13th of September !
Tonight I finished the bottom panel. It's hinged so that the top and front can swing forward, revealing all the components (easy access to the components! ). Ok, on to the pics! (Sorry for the mediocre quality, btw. I promise I'll take some good pics of the final product)

The bottom piece cut into its two sections


Sketching out a place for the hinges


Hole dremeled out so that the hinges can be flush


Hinges on the first piece


Holes dremeled out on second piece


Hinges on!


A close up shot


ooooo....flush​

Ok, that's all for tonight. More tomorrow! Next up on the list is cleaning the front faceplate, installing the Griffin Powermate and HP IR receiver (I'm installing the ir receiver where the fm stereo light used to be (see pic on first page)), installing LEDs, wiring all those to the mobo, then finally starting on the veneer, stain, and polyurethane.

 

Looking good mate! Cant wait for the next update

 

Oh yeah This is nice nice top really! Nice idea to make it open like this, Well done so fat. I can't wait to see how it will be done.

Good luck.

 

Thanks guys! I'm heading off to buy some more stuff at Home Depot after work and I should get a bunch more done tonight.

 

Looking good. I'm really starting to like these "Music PC's"/"Media PC's" or whatever you call them, built into old HiFi equipment and the like.

 

A little mini-update for tonight.
Right to the pics:

I cut down the pieces on the back of the original knob to fit the Powermate behind it


I cut a sliver piece out of the piece I had cut out to glue to the original piece, therein making it easier to glue to the nylon spacer I glued to the Powermate (see below)


I glued the nylon spacer to the Powermate
​

When the current set of glue dries, I'll glue the nylon spacer to the sliver piece and then the knob on the outside will be connected to the Powermate on the inside. Ok, that's it for now. More tomorrow (hopefully).

 

WOW! This is going to be awsome Can't wait to see more. Good job.

Good luck.

 

So...I've been working all weekend but I don't have an update. I've realized one thing: Glue hates me. As this project must wind down (be done by the 13th), I've decided to no longer try and mod the Powermate at this time. I have plans for it, in the future, but I don't currently have the time to put into creating the proper system to use it. Anyhow, coming up next: I'm modding an IR receiver into the faceplate, placing LEDs where the old lamps in the faceplate were, and then veneering and staining. I'm done with work this Friday, and I'll have time after that to work on the project. If I have time once the veneer and etc. are done, I may try to work on the Powermate some more. Ok, that's all.

 

Update September 10th:

I've gotten a lot done. Like I've said before, this project must be done this Wednesday, as I'm moving on Thursday.

I glued the bottom piece to the rest of the case.


As you can see, the faceplate has gotten really dirty...


...so it needed a cleaning.


The first piece of veneer cut.


The veneer on.


I filled up some holes with wood filler. Still has to be sanded.


Filled all the screw holes as well.


Two coats of stain on the first piece of veneer.
​

Right now I've go to sand down that filler and polyurethane the veneer. Tomorrow I'll do the rest of the veneer, work on the LEDs for the front, mount the power switch, and create a backplate out of acrylic. I've tested all the components and everything works well, so everything should be up and running by my Thursday deadline. I'm spending all my time tomorrow and Wednesday on this mod, so I think I can get it done.

 

Cant wait for the next update mate.

 

@Dean MF
Thanks! It should be soon!