Project: Dark Carbon

[SXRguyinMA]

no rush, just think its a neat idea

[Vital]

I have another question for you. Where did you get that back panel?

[Cobra]

Anodized bits look awesome against the carbon fiber.

[rendermandan]

I have another question for you. Where did you get that back panel?

Its out of an old Lian-Li removable motherboard case. I think you can get one similar to it here.
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...oducts_id=3387

[Liquid_Scope_99]

Very nice work man keep it up +rep

[DonT-FeaR]

i love this case so clean so elligant so frigan awsome!!!!

[The boy 4rm oz]

I take back what I said about the HDD cooler fan brackets looking good as silver, they look a million times better as red lol.

I can't wait to see some pics of that fan controller. The GUI looks amazing.

[rendermandan]

I take back what I said about the HDD cooler fan brackets looking good as silver, they look a million times better as red lol.

I can't wait to see some pics of that fan controller. The GUI looks amazing.

Thanks.

-The fan controller is going to be made soon, Hopefully. We are still trying to work out reading the rpm speeds of each fan. I'm also going to include a couple of inputs for Water pump speeds as well. We are having to start over because PWM screws up the fan speed sensor. but I will get done. The first version may just control the fan speeds and not report the rpms just so I have a way to control them. The rpms are only a "Nice addition" that is not absolutly necessary at this time. I plan on being done in the next month or so.

Here is the latest version of the software. I moved some things around and got the Preset radiobuttons to work. I also got the icon made to run in the right side task bar with all the other icons. I still would like to be able to have user saved presets. Where you can store the settings you want in memory. But not exactly sure how to do that yet. Have to do some research.

This weekend I also started to work on the front panel of the case and the exterior lighting.
Before I get to the lights, I had to make some templates. I will be using 1/8"t. Red Flourescent Plexi and 1/8"t. Black plexi for the trim.

Here is how the front panel looks now. Obviously, the blue is tape to protect the CF. but I just can't leave the Dvd drive exposed and the LCD panel is silver.

I started by laying out the front planel on a sheet of red.

This shot show where the power and reset switchs and USB ports will go.

A little time spend with the scroll saw, and they are cutout.

I also cleaned up the edges with some files.

Here is how the front panel will be covered.

The bottom trim was used as a template to cut out all the trim fro the bottom so they are all identical.

I used a router table with a 1/2" dia. straight bit with a ball bearing guide on the end.

I had to cut one of the panels a little different. I think you can see why.

I also cut he holes for the USB/firewire/sound ports.

Next I had to paint the ugly silver bezel on the lcd display.

Ok, now I've come to the point of needing the leds installed. Here is what I'm using.
Its a roll of 300 red suface mounted led's. on a very thin flexible pcb strip with adheasive on the back!!! Its 5 meters long. with 300 leds. -that works out to an led every 5/8".

The led strip can be cut into 3 led segments. So I was able to cut it to the perfect length to go around the case 3 times. One at the top, and two at the bottom trim.

Here is a close up shot.

Here is a shot showing the strip lit.

This shot is with the flash on. You can still see the leds!

Just for a check, I placed the red and black plexi over the top and you can really see how much red glow it gives off.

The cool part is you can solder wires to the back side so all wires will be hidden!

Here is the case with the top row only installed.

VERY BRIGHT!!!

The leds do have a little thickness. -about 1/16" so I drilled some holes in the back side of the red plexi.

Then I glued it on.

Thats all the farther I got tonight.

Hope you guys like the LED's. Most of the light will be hidden behind the black plexi. but It should give a very nice red glow around the edges. -Which is what the whole design was to begin with.

Later!

[Spyrious]

Hello.I'm new here although i watched the forum for now and than.Your worklog was the "spark" to become a member here.I wan't to congratulate you for this extraordinary work.Very impressive.Keep it up.

[The boy 4rm oz]

Mate that looks very cool. Nice plexi accents and nice work on the front panel.

Do you have a link to where you got those LEDs? They are perfect for something I am thinking of doing later on.