Almost there with the lunchbox PC.

Shiny!

Had to give up on the flashing power LED for HDD activity. Could not get the bugger to work. I will need to practice a few more circuits and figure out where I went wrong.

Otherwise, left to do is mount the HDD securely in the case, and that is it.

Holes, and a button.

Found that the best way to drill into tin was to use a wood bit.

Cooling holes drilled for the fan drilled off center so that the air should blow on to the main heat sink.



Some holes for heat to rise out.



The shiny button installed.



Also, given my circuit idea some more thought, and if the ground is common then this should work and simplify the design. This hopefully is the final final iteration before I break out the soldering iron.

Drilling holes

Dismantled the lunch box, in preparation for the cooling hole I need to drill, as well as the hole for the power switch. Here are the dowel supports that were epoxy'ed and are still rock solid in the base.


On another note, I have tested all the voltages for the power switch LED idea, and revised my circuit diagram accordingly.

So note the protection diodes to stop the 12v overloading other lines (in case my electronics is not up to scratch). Also, added resistance to the first transistor of the darlington pair to try step down the voltage as to not over power the signal to the base. I will add more if 2K is not enough.

Now I just need the time to solder it all together.