[Build Log] - The Big Budget Boomer Box (aka, the "BBBB") - Page 22

ja.

Here are some pics of the steps I"m going through for this assembly line run. I set the camera on a tripod and used a remote trigger to take the picture. Not all completely in focus, but it lets me get both hands in the picture.

I'm starting with the crimped, taped, fan frame from the previous assembly line:





First I inspect where the wires run up into the motor, and use an exacto knife to clear any extra liquid tape away so that I can be sure and push the sleeve all the way down to the base:




Then I snip off 4.75 inches of sleeve. I don't need to measure each fan wire, since I cut them all the same length in previous assembly line. I'm going with white MDPC-X for the fans. I'll use some color on some of the other wiring.




Then I warm up the ends and taper the sleeve so it doesn't spread to big on me. Need it slim to fit down tight against the base.




Then I slide/inch the sleeve onto the wires. Sometimes you have to be careful when sliding it over the pins, to make sure you don't catch the sleeve and pull it.




Then I'm sliding a piece of the precut MDPC heatshrink all the way down to the base. I'm trying to make sure that once the stickers are on the fan, that there will be no wires still exposed.




Next I grab my heat gun and shink that thing up. NO MAKING FUN OF MY PURPLE HEAT GUN! I got this thing for $3 during a Hobby Lobby clearance sale. I think they usually sell it as a scrapbooking tool. But hey....it does the job. And by the way, I would highly recommend using a heatgun instead of a lighter when you are working with white heatshrink. It is so easy to char the heatshrink and discolor it. I use a lighter only on the sleeve ends to help taper them, since I know these will be covered with heatshrink. I would always use a heat gun with white heatshrink.





Next I put the connector on the fan pins. I'm going with white, instead of the black that came with the fans. Matches the heatshrink real well.




Next I cut a piece of the SATA shrink, and then slide it over the fan connector:




Now grab your super masculine heat gun and shrink that bad boy up!




That's it for this assembly line, so rinse and repeat 42 times. Here is what it looks like at this point:




It might take me a day to get through all of these. I'm on fan 12 right now. After I get done with these steps, I need to superglue the sleeve to the frame (I'm not going to use the black clips that came with the frame), put on a custom vinyl sticker, and put back on the fan blades. Then I'll be done! More later.....

You know your speakers. 703's downstair, and CM9's upstairs. I bought the 703's probably 10 years ago, and they don't make the line anymore....but honestly, I think they sound better than the CM9's. Yes...we can both dream about those 804D's. I auditioned a pair of 804D's in person at our local hifi store years ago, and was blown away. I asked how much they were....and was blown away again. Will have to save those for another day.



Oooooooooo. Don't tempt me.



Thanks. And Thanks. Only a real man can pull off a light purple heat gun.



Purple was my only choice, but I would have taken a pink for $3 also if available.

Unfortunately, the speakers are currently very underpowered right now. No separate amps. Being powered by the Onkyo receiver....NR3008. When I get some time, I really need to do an evaluation of amps. They can make all the difference in the world. I did splurge on a 15 inch velodyne digital drive sub several years ago....and it is simply amazing.

Appreciate the kind words TPE! I'd settle for another OU national championship!



Thanks Reglar! Yes, that is my understanding also. So I plan to chain 8 fans through a harness to one of the PowerAdjust channels, and only the first fan on the chain (closest to the power unit) will have the RPM wire attached. So from the PowerAdjust, I'll take all 3 wires through the harness for the first fan, but the only continue 2 of the wires through the harness for the remaining 7 fans. That's the plan. If someone thinks this should be done differently, let me know.