M2-ATX in Hammond enclosure box

**KoGa** · 07-17-2011, 09:40 AM

I'm planning to install the M2-ATX in a Hammond enclosure box (model 1455t2201) which has slots for PCBs and wondering if it would fit? According to the specifications the width of the M2-ATX is exactly 160mm which would be perfect but I'm not convinced that the designers left enough space on the sides on the panel so it can be slid in. Could anybody confirm this?

Here is the specs for the enclosure: http://www.hammondmfg.com/pdf/1455T2201.pdf

**soundman98** · 07-17-2011, 03:45 PM

it will not work. that enclosure has 2.5mm lips to hold the circuit boards-- the m2 has visible traces that are much closer to the edge of that, so it might work at first, but any slight vibration would wear off the anti conductive coating over the top of the traces, and short them to ground.

**KoGa** · 07-18-2011, 12:00 PM

Originally Posted by soundman98

...it will not work. that enclosure has 2.5mm lips to hold the circuit boards-- the m2 has visible traces that are much closer to the edge of that, so it might work at first, but any slight vibration would wear off the anti conductive coating over the top of the traces, and short them to ground.

Thanks, that's what I was afraid of. It looks like I will have to find another enclosure (or PSU). I'm thinking of the M3-ATX instead as all other PSU's are actually larger than the M2.

**soundman98** · 07-18-2011, 09:07 PM

what about using a similar enclosure, and just epoxying standoffs to the bottom to attach the m2 to?

i don't remember ever coming across any threads with issues relating to any traces being too close to the mounting holes for this method to work.

**KoGa** · 07-19-2011, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by soundman98

what about using a similar enclosure, and just epoxying standoffs to the bottom to attach the m2 to?

That would work too but I already have the enclosure so I wanted to use that...

**soundman98** · 07-19-2011, 04:01 PM

ok, then just epoxy some standoffs to the bottom of the enclosure you have, and use the extra space for other devices.

or create a mount out of some abs sheeting for the m2, to slide in and out of the enclosure.

**KoGa** · 07-20-2011, 08:45 AM

The rest of the box is actually occupied with the computer itself so if the PSU does not fit sideways, I'll have to go with a different solution.

**KoGa** · 08-17-2011, 10:16 PM

Ok, so if anyone is interested, this is the solution I came up with...

I ended up using an M3-ATX and an ATX breakout board from Sparkfun. This allowed me to mount the PSU inside the enclosure and gave the power connections I need. I cut the Molex connectors off the PSU so I can power the PC from the 12V line. The 5V line will be kept for future use.

This is how it looks like so far:

**soundman98** · 08-17-2011, 10:19 PM

very nice!

**KoGa** · 08-17-2011, 10:51 PM

Originally Posted by soundman98

very nice!

Thanks, the only thing left to solve is the power on/off control. The PSU cannot do the job as it's inpossible to wire the power switch of this PC, it's so tiny.
I will probably interface the ignition signal to the PC myself either using USB or the digital I/O connector this machine has.