Posted: 11/15/2015 12:24:51 PM EDT
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I've taken time off from my Amatuer radio hobby and with Winter getting closer I have more time to get back into that mode. I'd like to finish off my Emcomm box.
My mounting chassis sits at 12.5 pounds of steel with all gear removed. Loaded it sits at 34.5 pounds. Currently I have the sides marked and pre-drilled for skeletonizing the sheet steel. I wanted to start removing steel this spring but that got side tracked. I'd like to lighten up this fairly heavy box. It's designed for table top use so if I'm outdoors and the weather changes for the worse then just toss it in the Spud7 and keep operating. But normally I'd keep it out of the Spud7 for better ventilation. I still need to figure out a removable mounting method for my Mintbox Mini computer also. Which after running for a long time gets up to 140F. So more ventilation probably won't hurt things. Should I spend more time skeletonize the top, bottom, and shelving too? If shelving too, then the power supply shelf will be last to be lightened as the computer will be somehow mounted under that. I will edit to add pics and links. Original build thread. Left side marked up for removal. 
Right side marked up for removal. 
Looking inside. 
This is the Mintbox Mini computer with stuff for size comparison. 
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The side marked panels are skeletonized. Now down to 11.5 pounds. Deburring the sharp edges will take some more time. Thankfully I have a cheap import mini diamond file set ready to go.
The shelving may need a front support pole there was some flex before removing the steel on the sides. Maybe some thinner sheet steel press formed into a U shape mounted between the shelves from the bottom to the top tack welded to the shelves would provide enough support to cut flex and still not add much weight. I tried putting the computer with all necessary cords into a Maxpedition Fatty Organizer but it's a little too tight and and no padding the Beefy and Chubby models look to be too big for the remaining space with everything mounted. Back to the removable mount idea. |