More panel work.
Since the dual 480 radiators are going to be mounted to the case, and exhale into the case I needed to add some "umph!" to the exhaust. I am still undecided about the entire exhaust configuration, but it will most likely consist of 1 cross-blower, 2 x 120mm cans, and a 220mm fan.
Here is what will be the top of the case and the 220mm fan.
I went round-n-round with myself on the following panel, which is the panel for the motherboard-side of the case. Originally I had a diagonal split across the face. After several days of frustrating ambivalence I got fed up with my vassalating and just cut a damn hole in the damn thing.
My apologies for the incorrect orientation. the side closest to you is the Rear, to the left is the Top.
Next was the font panel.
There have also been changes to this one. Initially I was simply going to mount the radiators, shroud and fans directly to the panel itself. A fine idea... until it was time to bleed the loop.
I wanted a way to mount the radiators so that they would be removable from the front panel. This would allow me to hold them and shake the living daylights out of them to ensure they are purged of air.
Since I will be sandwiching the components on a panel, I decided to kill several birds with one stone.
One aspect that I wanted to improve upon was the lack of lighting around the radiators. In the past I have considered mounting CCFL's inside the shroud... but common sense persuaded me not to. Instead I will use Bronze acrylic. This will provide a small frame of surface area that the lighting will be able to shine through and outline the radiators.
So... the plan is to mount (quasi-permanently) the rads like so:
Fan > Shroud > Window Panel > Radiator.
The assembled unit will then mount to the panel from the inside of the case. This will allow me to open the front panel, release the radiator(s) and turn them around, shake them, and do the Hokey-Pokey if I so choose...
Here is the Front Panel.
...again, incorrect orientation...
Oh Joy! I have so much profiling and sanding to look forward to!
This panel will swing from the top leading edge. To assist in the lift and to hold the panel completely open I will be using gas-charged struts. It is my hope that I will simply pull the catch to release the front panel, and that the panel will open up on its own accord.
... we'll see if that pans out well...
Lighting:
The color-theme will be Crimson.... -lol...okay... "Red"...
This will be my first foray into UV lighting.
CyberDruids WaterClocker was the inspiration for this new experience. I swear I could sit and gaze in adoration at that case for hours on end, dreaming my little dreams.
So...
What do you get when you cross a UV light, some UV paint, and a clear plexi tube?
As you can see this paint turns the clear acrylic a sort of "frosted".
Pillars of Fire...
I still have some experimenting to do with the lighting. I want to see if I can even out the apparent source of the lighting....
