Hacking Case mod for my USB Hard Drive - Take a look.

[ThaKillerKlown]

UPDATE 5-15-2009

Here is a video where you can see it in action.
Its a tad fuzzy and the sound un-sync'd during upload but you cen see the lights working.



Album Link

The hdd activity light flashes blue/red when its reading, glows steady blue when its on. I have performed the slot light mod so when the Wii is on, the slot light is on too.

Yup, thats an original NES Game Pad that I modded into a USB Hub. More on that later... =)

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UPDATE

I will be adding ventilation holes along the side and/or simply open the lid when its on as well as come up with a fan. I think it turned out really well. Its storming like mad here, tornado warnings and all. Gotta love Oklahoma so this is as far as I get tonight.

In this image you see the small circuit board that contains the hdd activity light. (YES i'ts blue)

Relocated the on/off switch from the back to the side, will make ventilation holes along this side too.

I have been wanting to do this for some time. I like my results so far.

I bought the stand @ GameStop for $10.00.

I use a standard 3.5" IDE hdd with a Nexxtech IDE to USB hdd enclosure.

I used a dremel tool with various bits to cut the plastic and metal pieces and a drill for the holes on the back.

The light was already in the original Nexxtech enclosure, I just put it in the new case. It was really an easy swap with basic handtools and patience.

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I have the Pelican horizontal Wii stand (See pic)...

...and I am going to place my 3.5" usb hard drive in the space where you normally store a nunchuck and the wiimote. WIll I need to install a fan to help keep it cool since there will be no aluminum to help disperse the heat?

I'm not familiar with hard drives and how much heat they may or may not make...

I can take actual pics but I think most of you will get what I'm asking.

 

[anaxs]

that is pretty awsome dude...i would get it. its just that it will take up more space

 

[Shinigami Kiba]

that's neat, but you'll definitely need a fan, at least my HDD gets kinda hot if used for a while and in there it would get very hot very quickly, especially during the summer.

 

[ThaKillerKlown]

that is pretty awsome dude...i would get it. its just that it will take up more space

Did you read at all?

I already have the stand. My Wii has sat on it for 2 years now. I have nothing in that area to the right and it would make a perfect place for my HDD which as of now, stands next to the whole thing on the shelf.

 

[ThaKillerKlown]

that's neat, but you'll definitely need a fan, at least my HDD gets kinda hot if used for a while and in there it would get very hot very quickly, especially during the summer.

I figured as much. The hard drive in my modded xbox does not mount to any metal but if my memory serves me correct, the xboxes fan does blow on the hdd so it helps keep it cool. It been a long time since I've had the cover off that box! = )

 

[Dteyn]

You could probably get a small fan and install it in the back of the unit, so it sucks all the hot air out.

Depending on the dimensions of the box this fan might work:
http://www.westfloridacomponents.com/FN005...s+DFB0412H.html

But yeah as others have said, you will want a fan in there to prevent heat buildup that will shorten the life of the harddrive.

 

[ThaKillerKlown]

You could probably get a small fan and install it in the back of the unit, so it sucks all the hot air out.

Depending on the dimensions of the box this fan might work:
http://www.westfloridacomponents.com/FN005...s+DFB0412H.html

But yeah as others have said, you will want a fan in there to prevent heat buildup that will shorten the life of the hard drive.

So you think one small fan, sucking the heat out will do the trick?

I plan on picking up two of these little usb powered fans tomorrow @ vintage stock, one to install as is to keep the Wii cool and modding the other one to cool the hard drive. You think that will be sufficient?

 

[teq]

I'd say KISS.

Those fan adapters they make for consoles don't work, period. They waste power, restrict airflow, and are poorly constructed.

Console designers know the components in the Wii generate heat. What did they do? They added ventillation holes and a fan to actively move the air. If they thought it needed another fan, they would've added one. Besides, processors these days can take a thermal beating, and when they can't, they shut off.

Do you think accessory manufacturers know better than the console designers and CPU fabs? They don't -- they're just in it for the money.


On the other hand, I would recommend adding ventillation holes or a fan underneath the area you plan to store the hard drive. Then, mount an exhaust fan in the back. Without the holes, you'll have a negative pressure.

 

[ThaKillerKlown]

I would recommend adding ventillation holes or a fan underneath the area you plan to store the hard drive. Then, mount an exhaust fan in the back. Without the holes, you'll have a negative pressure.

Sounds like a plan. Updated first post with progress pics.

 

[Wiisel]

looks great i was planing on making a case like this i never knew these things existed.

 

[0M39A]

looking great there ThaKillerKlown!

looks heaps better than my 2.5" drive sitting on top of my wii thats for sure

as for the heat problem, you will definitely need some sort of active cooling. hdd's can get rather hot. when they are mounted in a computer case, the actual chassis of the case acts as a big heatsink. if you have it mounted in plastic, it wont transfer the heat and it will get very hot. even most new cases have the hdd's mounted in front of a fan to blow air over them.

the only problem i can think of is that the biggest that looks like its going to fit will be around 40-50mm, and i hate the sound of small fans. not really sure where youre going to mount it though. i would personally want it to be an exhaust fan at the back (mainly as to not ruin the look of the front of the case).

 

[ddp127]

looks great!

you can also make the disc slot lights do the same as the hdd light

but i see you are blocking one of the wii's ventilation holes, the one on the downside?

 

[Sstew]

That is really cool!. Sure beats setting the HDD next to wii. This looks so much better.

 

[Omgwtfisthat]

Damn that looks awesome. If people were selling those I would so get one

 

[kedest]

that's pretty cool man

 

[nightwalker]

wow...that's wicked

 

[ekolimits]

can you let us know what hardware you used?

i was looking into making an enclosure myself and was looking at a ide to usb adapter to use with my ide maxtor 120gb drive.

are you using an adapter like that? is the drive sata or ide?

thanx

 

[Sazzles]

Seeing this mod, I immediately thought about making one myself, but can't seem to find this stand anywhere!

Seems like they're not selling anymore?

 

[david432111]

That looks really nice man! But how did you get the leds to show different colors depending on it's state?

 

[Saintphillipe]

i been thinking about getting this case. btw i saw one in ebay last night, since i won't be getting it for the couple months for money priorities ill post the link. it says that there are 8 available.

Pelican Horizontal Stand for Wii @ Ebay
: 8 available apparently.


As for the Mod KillerClown. i'm guessing you used an enclosure board for this.
i'm kind of a n00b @ modding, ok full fledged n00b in fact.

what do you use for cutting through the plastic?

thx in advance