I recently ordered a Photon 270 to replace my X20 750. I went with the 270 instead of the 170 because it just looks more epic. In most builds that I see, a nice tube res takes center stage with its mix of form and function. After receiving my res in the mail I was shocked by how big it was and I was having a tough time figuring out how I was going to mount it in the case. I also chose the standalone version of the Photon so that I could decouple the pump and hopefully keep it quieter...this just made it worse because it takes up even more room with the separate pump.
I came up with a mount that I figured I would post in case anyone else was looking for a good way to mount this reservoir inside the 750D.
I noticed these 3 holes lined up pretty much where I wanted to put the reservoir, so I set out to come up with a mount that would utilize them. I had some 1/4" plywood sitting around so I cut out a strip of it that was a bit wider and taller than the mounting base of the photon. I held the plywood piece up to the case and traced the holes onto the back side of it with a pencil, drilled the 3 mounting holes, and put it in place. It fit great, so I drilled the holes to mount the Photon to it and tested it out. 8-32x3/4" counter sunk machine screws with a washer and nut on the backside were used to mount the plate to the motherboard tray.
Wooden mount with all the holes drilled. I used 3/8" nylon spacers to raise it above the motherboard.
Mounted in place. It fits great, now to remake it in acrylic!
I got a small sheet of .25" black acrylic from a local plastics supplier. It was very easy and fast to cut out using a Dremel with a small sawblade on medium speed.
All holes drilled and ready to go. The screws that connect the mount to the case are countersunk so that the reservoir sits flush.
New wider spacers to keep the reservoir from wobbling once it's in place.
Looks good. Time for a test fit with the reservoir mounted.
Photon 270 mounted to the acrylic mount with everything in place.
Done. With the 3 screws tightened down and the wide nylon spacers the reservoir doesn't wobble at all.
This same design could be used to mount pretty much any tube res into the 750D, hopefully someone else will enjoy the project as much as I did. I'm extremely pleased with how it turned out and cannot wait to get my desktop up and running again.
I came up with a mount that I figured I would post in case anyone else was looking for a good way to mount this reservoir inside the 750D.
I noticed these 3 holes lined up pretty much where I wanted to put the reservoir, so I set out to come up with a mount that would utilize them. I had some 1/4" plywood sitting around so I cut out a strip of it that was a bit wider and taller than the mounting base of the photon. I held the plywood piece up to the case and traced the holes onto the back side of it with a pencil, drilled the 3 mounting holes, and put it in place. It fit great, so I drilled the holes to mount the Photon to it and tested it out. 8-32x3/4" counter sunk machine screws with a washer and nut on the backside were used to mount the plate to the motherboard tray.
Wooden mount with all the holes drilled. I used 3/8" nylon spacers to raise it above the motherboard.
Mounted in place. It fits great, now to remake it in acrylic!
I got a small sheet of .25" black acrylic from a local plastics supplier. It was very easy and fast to cut out using a Dremel with a small sawblade on medium speed.
All holes drilled and ready to go. The screws that connect the mount to the case are countersunk so that the reservoir sits flush.
New wider spacers to keep the reservoir from wobbling once it's in place.
Looks good. Time for a test fit with the reservoir mounted.
Photon 270 mounted to the acrylic mount with everything in place.
Done. With the 3 screws tightened down and the wide nylon spacers the reservoir doesn't wobble at all.
This same design could be used to mount pretty much any tube res into the 750D, hopefully someone else will enjoy the project as much as I did. I'm extremely pleased with how it turned out and cannot wait to get my desktop up and running again.