Tuesday, May 10, 2011

More about backplates / covers for mounting picoPSUs jacks in computer cases PSU openings

Things have progressed since my first post about the prototype I created to mount a picoPSU in my Lian-Li PC-Q07 case. I now have backplates designed and created for both ATX and SFX12V openings. I made CAD files using the ATX and SFX12V specifications as well as 80mm and 60mm fan specifications and then sent those away to have some aluminum templates made that I can now use as jigs to manufacture them from ABS plastic.

I've actually already sold one ATX backplate with an 80mm fan and an SFX12V backplate without a fan! I really need to get some kind of store set up. I am thinking eBay is going to be my best bet. It's just a matter of finding the time to set it up.

Here are some photos of the aluminum templates I had made and some experiments using ABS plastic.

This is the ATX backplate with mounts for an 80mm fan, 2.5mm barrel-style jack and 4-pin panel mount jack.


This is the SFX12V backplate with mounts for a 60mm fan, 2.5mm barrel-style jack and 4-pin panel mount jack.


These are some experiments with making these out of ABS plastic. The trick is getting the drilling smooth. Once the pieces are mounted in the holes though you can't see any burrs or imperfections in the plastic, especially once mounted in the case. These are predecessors of the ones I actually sold.

This one was sold to be mounted in a Moneual LAB Black Aluminum MonCaso 312B Micro ATX Media Center / HTPC Case:


This one was sold to be mounted in an APEX MI-008 Black Steel Mini-ITX Tower Computer Case:


If you're interested, leave me a comment with contact information and I will get back to you. You don't have to have a gaping hole in the back of your PC to use a picoPSU.

Meanwhile, I hope to get something up on eBay very soon.
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21 comments:

  1. PISCIDEMay 24, 2011 at 2:16 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. PISCIDEMay 25, 2011 at 3:46 AM

    Hi, I'm looking to buy a silver backplate with mounts for a 60mm fan for my APEX MI-008 Black Steel Mini-ITX Tower Computer Case. Do you deliver to germany? How much postage does it cost to mail to germany?

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  3. Thinking Outside the STBMay 25, 2011 at 7:29 AM

    Hi, piscide. Thanks for leaving me a note.

    The silver plates shown are the templates I use to make the backplates and are not for sale. I use them to make the plates that are for sale -- the black ones. They are made of ABS black plastic with a textured finish. Sorry for the confusion. I will find out how much shipping to Germany would be and post back here. Thanks!

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  4. Thinking Outside the STBMay 25, 2011 at 8:39 AM

    Hi piscide, it is US$15 to send to Germany via USPS International Priority Shipping box. I will add this option to the blog soon. Thanks again.

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  5. Thinking Outside the STBMay 25, 2011 at 9:07 AM

    The area for purchasing plates has been redesigned to support international shipping. Thanks everyone overseas for your interest!

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  6. assassinJuly 31, 2011 at 4:15 PM

    This is assassin over at AVS. I sent you a PM and have been trying to contact you. Please return my PM. Thanks.

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  7. AnonymousJanuary 12, 2012 at 7:41 AM

    I'm interested in the ATX blanking pate (with out the fan). My question is how will the plug of the picopsu or the plug of the brick fit in the hole.

    Thanks

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  8. AnonymousJanuary 12, 2012 at 8:04 AM

    Sorry, I guess I need the ATX w 2.5mm jack hole

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  9. AnonymousJanuary 12, 2012 at 9:28 AM

    Also, what is the difference between the 2.5mm hole and the 4 pin mini din hole?

    Why would I use one over the other?

    Thanks

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  10. Thinking Outside the STBJanuary 13, 2012 at 2:49 PM

    The 2.5mm jack is a panel mount jack meaning it is threaded with a ring you tighten. The 4-pin mini-din attaches via 2 screws. Which you need depends on the ac adapter you choose.

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  11. RassalApril 7, 2012 at 9:24 PM

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  12. RassalApril 8, 2012 at 8:25 AM

    Do you have a blank ATX plate? I got a case with dual power supplies in it, but i am replacing them by a single power supply of 1200w... now i need to cover the hole in the case with the 2nd power supply removed. All i need is an ATX power supply cover, without any holes besides the 4 ATX power supply screws... do you sell this?

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    Replies
    1. Thinking Outside the STBApril 8, 2012 at 12:31 PM

      Hi Rassal, the mounting/blanking plates are available for sale through this blog. If you go up to the top, on the right there's a dropdown under "Buy the mounting plates here!" with the available options (ATX, SFX, with a fan, without a fan, etc.) and a PayPal 'Add to Cart' button to purchase. One of the last options is an ATX blanking plate. Thanks for your interest!

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  13. BartAugust 24, 2012 at 3:26 AM

    Do you accept special requests? Looking for hole-less (just mounting holes) ATX backplates and (now the request) two SFX backplates, each with 6 of holes in it for RP-SMA antenna connectors. Those have a diameter of 6.25mm if I'm correct.

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  14. Thinking Outside the STBAugust 29, 2012 at 11:26 AM

    Sure.

    6.25mm looks to be a 1/4" hole? How do the antennas attach? Are they panel mount or do they need to be tapped?

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  15. BartAugust 29, 2012 at 11:49 PM

    Yay :)

    According to Google .25 (or 1/4) inches sounds right, I think in cm and mm, not used to inches ;)

    Uhm, something like http://www.macwireless.com/images/ant/connectors/RP-SMA%20Female.gif has to fit in the hole and then I screw the antenna on that. The hole does not need to be tapped since a little nut helps keeping the antenna connector in place.

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  16. UnknownApril 13, 2013 at 9:24 PM

    why are these not on ebay? lol

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  17. Thinking Outside the STBApril 14, 2013 at 9:47 AM

    You can find them at HTTP://www.ecosmartpc.com.

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  18. AnonymousMarch 13, 2017 at 7:22 AM

    You still sell this ? ATX cover plate with 4-pin ?

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  19. BlogfreeApril 29, 2017 at 2:45 AM

    Hi, I'm interested in this also

    ReplyDelete

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