Planning to make my custom case.

[superfrog76]

So, after a lot of back and forth; I've abandoned the idea to put my 1200 board in the 1000 case (the case went down the drain with the owner; it happens when people get too greedy).

Now, I've visited few stores, and sadly, there is not a single desktop case with slim profile, that would fit the 1200 board plus extras....which force me to the sad truth: I must build one from scratch.

Which options do I have? I saw custom made of wood...but wood is the worst choice for a computer that should dissipate heat (plus the heat warps the wood...at least looking at the wooden spoon that we use to cook ), and a 1200 with AC adapter and accelerator board is not exactly cold.

Altho I was suggested to go to craft places, and get basically a wooden box and then customize it, so at least I have a solid base to start with.

The other option is to buy something made by a case maker, but I have not found any that makes custom cases in USA; I see modders that modify tower computers, but nobody that makes the case from scratch.

Last thing that I was looking into, is plastic (the one used to make cases for things like raspberry pi, minimig and such...not sure what kind of plastic is that); I may be able to order the sheets cut as I want, and either glue them or use screws, but I am not sure about having a transparent case, nor if I can spray paint it, without somehow cause a fire hazard

The option to make it with the 3d printer is not feasible, nor I know if is possible to have parts made of ABS plastic, like the original 1200 case, from a company, if you give them the specs...from what I heard, they don't make single unit, and I don't really need 500 case (unless someone want to share the load and buy ? )

Not sure how many of you attempted the transplant of a 1200 board in some different case; I've found only few projects, made many years ago on the site; and they inspired me because they look quite nice

I am all ears...any suggestion would help, since I am not exactly a modder....I built a bird house with plywood...so I can make square things

[som99]

You will be able to fit the A1200 motherboard and extras inside the "SilverStone Milo ML03B" and fit extras without problems Case dimensions:
440x340x105 mm (W/D/H)


That case is quite cheep also if I would do a A1200 desktop case ill use something like that

Cutout a new back for I/O's, new mounting holes and the motherboard is set, if you want a CD/DVD-drive it has a spot for it, you have to mod to get a internal floppy but not to much work, I would probably put the floppy in the 3,5" HDD cage under the 5,25" facing left or make a cut out in the right part of the front for a floppy.

[gertsy]

Looks like a great option, Vs starting from scratch.

[superfrog76]

I love you Thanks! They sell it at the local computer store I think I saw it but since they had just the box, I was not able to figure out if it was big enough, and if it has a good internal layout to place the board.

Indeed it is a really nice starting point; and being made of metal, allow me to screw on top either some decorative piece of painted wood or ABS; Or I can paint it directly (in "Amiga white") without fear

As side note; is there a quick way to adapt a keyboard? I will get the adapter from Amigakit (the one that you stick on top of the chip on the motherboard), but if there is another option I am available to explore.

Also for the power: I have an ATX PC power supply; would be better to get one of these laptop AC adapter (12 or 15V, about 75-90W), and use that adapter from Steadman, in conjunction with a picoPSU?

I love the 1200 case but I need space on the desk...I can save the PS2 keyboard in the drawer when I don't use it, and keep the Amiga ready to be used under my monitor

Thanks!

[som99]

I love you Thanks! They sell it at the local computer store I think I saw it but since they had just the box, I was not able to figure out if it was big enough, and if it has a good internal layout to place the board.

Indeed it is a really nice starting point; and being made of metal, allow me to screw on top either some decorative piece of painted wood or ABS; Or I can paint it directly (in "Amiga white") without fear

As side note; is there a quick way to adapt a keyboard? I will get the adapter from Amigakit (the one that you stick on top of the chip on the motherboard), but if there is another option I am available to explore.

Also for the power: I have an ATX PC power supply; would be better to get one of these laptop AC adapter (12 or 15V, about 75-90W), and use that adapter from Steadman, in conjunction with a picoPSU?

I love the 1200 case but I need space on the desk...I can save the PS2 keyboard in the drawer when I don't use it, and keep the Amiga ready to be used under my monitor

Thanks!

You are welcome my friend, im just glad I can help!
I would rather fit a FLEX-ATX PSU inside the case instead of a Pico-psu.

I think your best bet is just to wait for the PS/2 keyboard adapter from Amigakit, but since you know what connection it has you can make the hole beforehand in the case

Amiga white is the way to go when repainting the case yes I would also print out a sticker with the amiga logo and Amiga 1200D on

I wish you all luck with your build!

[superfrog76]

I see, so it is it any better than a PicoPSU 120W? I could fit probably the whole power AC and picoPSU inside the case, and have more space, compated to the flex-ATX PSU (at the cost of 100 dollars extra thou)

So the only way is the ps/2 adaptor then...I was hoping that I can just somehow use the original keyboard and stretch the cable to a size that is longer than the original ribbon cable

Getting the case today; will post some photos of how is coming up together I have the A1200 tag from the original case, and probably will have to make a decal for the AMIGA name and the boing ball on the top

Thanks!

[Rob]

I see, so it is it any better than a PicoPSU 120W? I could fit probably the whole power AC and picoPSU inside the case, and have more space, compated to the flex-ATX PSU (at the cost of 100 dollars extra thou)

So the only way is the ps/2 adaptor then...I was hoping that I can just somehow use the original keyboard and stretch the cable to a size that is longer than the original ribbon cable

Getting the case today; will post some photos of how is coming up together I have the A1200 tag from the original case, and probably will have to make a decal for the AMIGA name and the boing ball on the top

Thanks!

You should be able to get away with a lot less than 120w with an A1200.

[superfrog76]

Well, isn't the original PSU 65W? I've heard that it is not enough to power an expansion board (I have a 030/50, 64 mb), plus the CF card and the DVD rom.

90W should suffice then? I see people using 300W PSU for their case conversion...what the heck do they put in?

[superfrog76]

So, I've ordered the material needed; and for the case I am planning to keep the motherboard a bit closed to the center, since the only 3 ports that I will use will be the joystick and mouse ports.

The video is done trough a scart to HDMI converter; so I will keep the scart cable and the HDMI converter inside the case, leaving out only the HDMI cable for the output.

The power is internal, so I will not have to expose the power connector.

Now, is there a way to extend the 9 pin ports? I can get a serial cable, but I am looking for a way to fix the port to the case; and I don't recall to see any bracket with serial connectors...do I have to make my own?

I am planning to cover the back of the case with acrylic, and then cut trough the acrylic to fix the ports that I need (HDMI, 2 serial, the power cord)..is this OK or should I do things in a different way? Better ask before playing frankenstein with my dremel

Thanks!

[som99]

If you don't want to buy 9-pin dsub contacts and solder yourself you can buy these since you can mount them with nuts and bolts

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DSub-SubD-9pin-Buchse-auf-DSub-9pol-Stecker-1-1-13cm-Verlangerung-gut-10cm-/161099997148?pt=DE_Computer_Sonstige&hash=item25824edfdc


Also for the backplate, you could measure the dimensions of it, go to your local metal shop and buy a piece in the same size, maybe a tad thinner to make it easier to work with.

Cut out the holes for connectors with a dremel or anything that works, then cut out the original backplate, save maybe 5-7mm at the edge of the original backplate then use a MIG welder to put the new plate there. If you don't have a MIG Welder then drill holes and use pop riverts.

Pictures would be great!

[superfrog76]

Thanks Som Last time that I tried soldering a connector, people on the other side of the world started to scream in pain and anger I am ok with bigger items, but the connector is too small for my fat fingers

I will try to find something like you posted....the guy does not ship in USA sadly; will check my electronic store, hoping that he does not ask a hand a an arm for it (they robbed me 12 dollars for a serial cable; when I was making my joystick LOL).

I do not have a MIG Welder; probably either I have to bolt it, glue it or put rivets It sounds simple enough for me; after all I will need just 4 plugs going out of the case.

Will post pictures as soon as I start; I placed the order for the keyboard adapter and the case yesterday Thanks!

[som99]

Thanks Som Last time that I tried soldering a connector, people on the other side of the world started to scream in pain and anger I am ok with bigger items, but the connector is too small for my fat fingers

I will try to find something like you posted....the guy does not ship in USA sadly; will check my electronic store, hoping that he does not ask a hand a an arm for it (they robbed me 12 dollars for a serial cable; when I was making my joystick LOL).

I do not have a MIG Welder; probably either I have to bolt it, glue it or put rivets It sounds simple enough for me; after all I will need just 4 plugs going out of the case.

Will post pictures as soon as I start; I placed the order for the keyboard adapter and the case yesterday Thanks!

Haha no problem I bet you could find em for a fair price on ebay, those chinease sellers have free shipping world wide Looking forward to see your pictures tho

[PanterHZ]

Well, isn't the original PSU 65W? I've heard that it is not enough to power an expansion board (I have a 030/50, 64 mb), plus the CF card and the DVD rom.

90W should suffice then? I see people using 300W PSU for their case conversion...what the heck do they put in?

Just looking at how much watt a PSU can output is a bit pointless in my opinion. The thing is that most of the power on modern 300W PSU's is on the 12V rail, while on the Amiga, a decent 5V output is much more important.

As for your backplate, I would recommend that you use an aluminium plate instead of steel since it is much easier to work with.

Anyway, please post pictures of your progress

[som99]

Just looking at how much watt a PSU can output is a bit pointless in my opinion. The thing is that most of the power on modern 300W PSU's is on the 12V rail, while on the Amiga, a decent 5V output is much more important.

As for your backplate, I would recommend that you use an aluminium plate instead of steel since it is much easier to work with.

Anyway, please post pictures of your progress

The most important thing to look at when buying a PSU is the ripple at the 5v/12v at the load the Amiga pulls, ive used PSU's with high amps on 12v and 5v but at low load there was quite some ripple = unstable Amiga.

So allways google a PSU and check ripple values!

[PanterHZ]

The most important thing to look at when buying a PSU is the ripple at the 5v/12v at the load the Amiga pulls, ive used PSU's with high amps on 12v and 5v but at low load there was quite some ripple = unstable Amiga.

So allways google a PSU and check ripple values!

That might be true

The fact is that modern PSU's are really made for modern ATX boards which uses a lot of 12V power, most of them even have a second 12V rail dedicated to the CPU and GPU. I have a theory that maybe it could be an idea to connect something that draws a "lot" of power to the 12V ouputs, like some large resistors or something. This in order to maybe stabilize the PSU a bit.