Hard Drive + Sub, how far is far away enough?

**RSXelrate** · 10-19-2007, 06:05 PM

I'm looking at doing an install in an S2000 and space is very limited. I most likely will be building the computer and putting it in the spare tire well (see link below for pics). I also have a subwoofer not too far away that is sitting in the recessed area in the trunk (see link below). If I put the hard drive as far away as possible, will it be okay? The subwoofer is a ~400 wrms one with the magnet inside the enclosure.

http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php...&#entry1772107
The area in which the amps sit, is where the spare tire used to be.
Thanks!

**maxgtr2000** · 10-19-2007, 11:04 PM

It should be okay, you can try and use a laptop hdd that can take a little bit more abuse if need be.

**Dennis5587** · 10-20-2007, 11:16 AM

Just make sure that you secure the computer down very tightly. It bouncing around will really screw you up.

**20mg** · 10-27-2007, 12:38 PM

i was wondering about this to. i have a very small car. and the back of my car is completly full. i have 2 15 inch subs. would it still be ok if i put the pute in the spot where the spare tire was? and if not anyone have any ideas?

**crooper** · 11-01-2007, 03:58 AM

I have 2 12" subs (200 rms each) about 12" away from my carpc, which I turn up a lot of the time. The only time I've had trouble with it was when my carpc box got pushed up against my sub box, which killed the (old Maxtor 3.5") hard drive in a few weeks. Keep it away from direct vibrations and you should be fine. Also, newer laptop hard drives are better for shock and vibration resistance.

If you're worried, then just turn on SMART hard drive diagnostics and it'll tell you if your hard drive is gonna die soon.

Spare tire place is okay, just as long as there's a vent for air to cool the pc.

**Crawdaddy** · 11-01-2007, 12:47 PM

ditto on the previous responses. If you're worried about the magnet for the sub degaussing the disk or something, I wouldn't be too worried. It takes more magnetic power than most people realize to degauss a hard drive. You can't do it with a kitchen magnet, that's for sure. In the hard drive itself is a pair of rare earth magnets that help the head arm stay smooth and level. Those magnets are some of the most powerful non-electro powered mags I've seen. I would venture to say (and I might just try for s**ts and giggles) that you could put the drive directly on the sub magnet and not have problems.

**20mg** · 11-03-2007, 01:06 PM

im not so sure putting a hard drive on one of my subs would be a good idea my soundstream t4's have 250 oz magnets lol

**crooper** · 11-05-2007, 01:27 AM

I don't think putting a hard drive ON a sub magnet is in question here though. If you don't like the idea of putting your PC near your sub boxes, then relocate it. Otherwise, the information we've given you is pretty good, and driven from experience.

If you're just tooting your horn about how well endowed your subs are, then well good for you. Sub magnet size isn't an indicator of performance or sound quality anyway.

**emperorjj1** · 11-05-2007, 03:35 AM

lol re MT ftw in terms of mag size...

but im a little less worried after reading this thread. ive been very concerned with vibrations since the last system i had was a singe 15 MT or single 15 XXX and my next will be 2 15 XXX.... i was planing on sealing the trunk airtight so the bass would only go foward and keeping the car pc in the back. Im glad to hear i should be fine with a regular 2.5 because some of the extreme vibrations HDDs are expensive and not much space

**Crawdaddy** · 11-05-2007, 07:55 AM

[QUOTE=crooper;1138045]I don't think putting a hard drive ON a sub magnet is in question here though.QUOTE]

The OP mentioned that the mag for the sub was in the box, which led me to my tangent. I know it's a fairly common fear, not just for carpc users, that magnets can corrupt data in hard drives and other magnetic media. I was attempting to clear up that issue. In terms of vibrations, I'd be less inclined to put a hard drive so close to a sub, but I imagine if you mounted the hard drive in a perpendicular line to the sub's excusrion direction, you'd have better luck. What I mean by this is that if you hav the sub firing straight out the back of he vehicle, placing the hard drive level with the front and back of the drive facing the left and right sides of the car, you could probably minimize vibration damage. (see the big drive FAQ, I don't remember where it is, and I'm too lazy to go find it...)