DJiK's M2-ATX Enclosure Mod

DJiK · 11-09-2006, 07:31 PM

The CarPC I'm using used to be a self-contained MiniPC.
I've decided to squeeze the M2-ATX DC-DC power supply in place of the original 110V PSU and then install everything back into place.

Side-by-Side Comparison:

There were two goals in this project:
* Make the M2 fit at the best place.
* To not modify anything on the M2 (not even the wire harnesses) for resale value and warranty purposes.

Done:

Notice a few things in the image above:
* The original 12V fan is blowing hot air out of the enclosure.
* The fan is plugged in to the 4-pin (P4) connector.
* The three power wires (Bat., Ign., and Gnd.) are connected to the original AC connector -- more about it below.
* The ATX 20 pin, motherboard switch, and LED connectors are neatly located outside of the case -- for easier access.
* The amplifier remote turn-on wire is routed out towards the back -- between the fan and the switch (not pictured).
* All of the connections had been soldered and heat-shrunk, except the main ground.
* There's enough room in the case to keep all wires neatly arranged by the M2's side.

The AC Connector:

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

Done and Sealed:

The New Arrangement inside the CarPC Case:

Closeup:

I hope ya'll like it.

Feedback, questions, comments?

evandude · 11-09-2006, 07:38 PM

Quote: 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

DJiK · 11-09-2006, 08:00 PM

Quote: 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!

Quote: 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.

G20T · 11-09-2006, 08:18 PM

Wow

really nice dude very creative.

scott_fx · 11-09-2006, 10:43 PM

very nice.

Wiredwrx · 11-10-2006, 12:49 AM

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

DJiK · 11-10-2006, 12:56 AM

Quote: 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...

DJiK · 11-10-2006, 01:02 AM

Thanks G20T and Scott for appreciating my effort.

DarquePervert · 11-10-2006, 07:16 AM

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!

durwood · 11-10-2006, 09:52 AM

Quote: 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!

SexySamSam · 11-10-2006, 01:47 PM

Looks good

ilyassx · 11-10-2006, 02:08 PM

Nice job man! keep up