Thread: DJiK's M2-ATX Enclosure Mod

Originally Posted by DJiK

The AC Connector:
Something to slow me down in case I decide to plug 'er up to the wall.

Smart! A very simple solution to prevent a mistake we all know we'd probably make at the worst possible time And it's more rugged and convenient than ripping out the connector and trying to mount a different one there. Nice job

Can't get any depth perspective from the picture, but I assume the set screw is mounted far enough forward that it will stop the plug well before the pins can make contact? It looks like you're using masking tape as insulation on the metal underneath the M2... if that's the case I would definitely at least switch to electrical tape, or even better, sandwich a big piece of plastic underneath the M2... A little vibration and the pins can easily wear through a layer of tape and reach the metal. That, or mount the M2 on some suitable standoffs to make absolutely sure it can't short out on the case, which is probably the best solution.

Looks like a great installation though, as long as it's safe

Originally Posted by evandude

Smart! A very simple solution to prevent a mistake we all know we'd probably make at the worst possible time And it's more rugged and convenient than ripping out the connector and trying to mount a different one there. Nice job

Thanks!

Originally Posted by evandude

It looks like you're using masking tape as insulation on the metal underneath the M2... if that's the case I would definitely at least switch to electrical tape, or even better, sandwich a big piece of plastic underneath the M2... A little vibration and the pins can easily wear through a layer of tape and reach the metal. That, or mount the M2 on some suitable standoffs to make absolutely sure it can't short out on the case, which is probably the best solution.

I didn't take a picture of it, but the masking tape is holding another piece--I don't know how it's called--so I'll try to describe it...
You know how if you cut a hole in aluminum, it's very sharp, and you gotta fill it in with something? Well, what I used is one of those flexible plastic tubes, U-shaped, to both insulate the case and make it safer to operate.

The M2 is mounted on a standoff, also nearly invisible in the pics.
The M2's design isn't perfect, because Mini-box only made two mounting points at the extreme edges of the board, and what's worse, they're inline.
So I used a motherboard standoff near the fan, and then 4 gluable square "legs" to keep the PSU off the floor. Finally, I strapped it with a zip-tie so it doesn't move at all.

very nice.

Hey DJik.

I installed my M2 very similar to you.

Instead, I ditched the Metal enclosure, and just drilled in some PC Board standoffs, to the sife of the enclosure, and mounted the M2 to the standoffs, basically, exactly where you mounted yours. Oh, and I upgraded the HD to 300+ gigs.

Unit works like a champ.

Thanks for the drivers way back when.

Michael

Originally Posted by Wiredwrx

Hey DJik.

I installed my M2 very similar to you.

Instead, I ditched the Metal enclosure, and just drilled in some PC Board standoffs, to the sife of the enclosure, and mounted the M2 to the standoffs, basically, exactly where you mounted yours. Oh, and I upgraded the HD to 300+ gigs.

Unit works like a champ.

Thanks for the drivers way back when.

Michael

I'm glad to hear everything had worked out for you.

Is your M2 well secured with only two inline mounting points?

I'm doing OK with 160GBs over here...

Thanks G20T and Scott for appreciating my effort.

Yeah. Definite kudos on that.
Very slick.

The power cord with the notch for a quick disconnect is a banner idea. It's a lot cleaner than the quick disconnects I made for my DSATX!

Originally Posted by DarquePervert

Yeah. Definite kudos on that.
Very slick.

The power cord with the notch for a quick disconnect is a banner idea. It's a lot cleaner than the quick disconnects I made for my DSATX!

Same for me Nice job!