Hard Drive Mounting / SAVE the drive!

**DerekR** · 02-22-2004, 06:38 PM

Anyone have a good idea how to secure the hard drive from bumps/shaking and most of all base. My version one setup had the hard drive in spung like stuff and I am currently working on V2 of the carputer and just wonder if there is a better way? Thanks Guys

**deadweasel** · 02-22-2004, 06:54 PM

First, sponge is not a good idea if it covers the components on the drive itself. Current drives generate too much heat to be covered with anything. As for shock protection, unless you're driving an old beat up Camaro or Fiero or something, your car's shocks should be more than adequate to keep the drive from experiencing anything beyond its specifications.

I've mounted my system to the chassis of a '92 Mitsubishi Eclipse, no shock protection considered, and it did just fine. Survived a rear-ending at 45mph too!

**DerekR** · 02-22-2004, 07:00 PM

how about bass?? you think that may mess up the drive?

**cdm** · 02-22-2004, 07:42 PM

Originally Posted by DerekR

how about bass?? you think that may mess up the drive?

if you mount it on top your sub...

it will be allright. drives are tough.

**kiltjim** · 02-22-2004, 08:51 PM

DerekR raises a good point. I was thinking about mounting the whole thing inside a sub enclosure (with the sub). I was worried about the constant vibrations the drives would be going thru. Should I really be concerned about this?

**deadweasel** · 02-22-2004, 09:12 PM

INSIDE the sub enclosure?? Sheesh, talk about asking for problems! The main danger to hard drives (from the audio standpoint) is the fact that bass in music can be a constant frequency wave, which can set up harmonic vibrations in the drive and cause damage. If you keep the drive a short distance from the sub, there shouldn't be any problems. Putting it inside the sub enclosure is asking for trouble for two reasons. The first is the vibration issue. The second is the magnetic field generated by the speaker(s). If you want to guarantee that you will be losing data and possible drive integrity, then by all means, mount it in the enclosure. If you want something that's going to last the longest possible, keep it a decent distance from the box.

**streetknight** · 02-22-2004, 09:12 PM

i would personally worry more about the magnet.
but i have mines mounted under my seat and i have yet to have problems and i live in boston pot hole heaven. yet to have any problems

**Bobby Digital** · 02-22-2004, 09:45 PM

what about cars with modified suspension (ie. lowering springs). My car has a pretty rough ride compared to most stock cars, should I be worried about my hard drive? Is there any way of mounting a drive so that it can absorb some of the shock, like with springs or something.