HOMEMADE PC GROW BOX (IN PROGRESS) (ADVICE, LINKS, HINTS, TIPS AND DO NOT DO'S!)

Hello,

This is my first time posting anything thing here as I have only just joined up! (Pls forgive errors etc...)

Basically I had heard about people growing in PC Case, no way am i paying for a pre-built "PC GROW CASE". By chance (upgrade) I was able to get a PC server case - free.

I started "The Build" the other day, after doing a little research the nite before. I have not completed the build.

This is an invitation to all to follow my progress and show support and MOST of all.....help me!

I have a clear picture of how i want it to look, work etc..

So here we go

Hopefully there are pictures attached:


- Front Doors Closed + Front Door Open (JPG) -

Here is the PC Case i got.

(H=66CM D=47CM W=20.5CM)

Thinking of spraying it Black?!


- Machine as i got it needs emptying + Machine at start with everything Working (JPG) -

Okay here is the Carnage, time to take everything out..
You should Keep everything..
(although I threw Out: motherboard, I will update you on what else i have thrown out later... this was down to space..)

Note: When gutting a PC case, don't do it on your bed! (Lesson #1 : Learnt.. i think!)
This computer was hella dusty!! Plus metal shards that will follow while dismantling your case can mess up you feet, bed and sleep!


- As far as you can get without the use of a drill minus front of machine -

Okay you have unscrewed everything.... heres what you have (hopefully) you should be able to pull the front plastic panel off and the fan holders too...

Now for some drilling! and heres where the metal shards come in to play! drill out the rivets!

NOTE: NOT the rivets that hold ur PC Case together! duhh!

Keep everything you take off it may come in useful..
5 HDD's i think will be useful!!!

Get rid of the mounting bays in the upper section of that old Antec (I had the model above yours with the modular bays) and you will find yourself with much more room. (assuming you haven't done that yet)

What's the back look like? You might find yourself some unique places to run cables/air hoses/etc. (I used an old serial port slot that hadn't had the metal knocked out to install it, just bent it out of the way lightly and ran my wire/airtube)

Now i have an empty PC case (again hopefully pics attached)

The bare PC Case will now be much weaker especially the parts where there are metal cut-outs... try not to bend or break anything!

The case I got came with handle and lock on the side panel.. although i will have to replace the lock!!

There is also a view of the case empty from the front...

This is also the power supply That came with the PC case

I have seen certain threads about using the PC power supply to power everything in the Pc "Grow" Case...

Can lights be powered by the PC power supply??

Anyhow I got bored after cleaning out the case and cleaning all components that I stumbled across a youtube video on how to Convert a Computer ATX Power Supply to a Lab Power Supply..!
which follows a wikiHow - The How-to Manual That You Can Edit

link : How to Convert a Computer ATX Power Supply to a Lab Power Supply - wikiHow

I know i can power the fans from this setup.. is there a way to power the lights? I have no electrical experience really... quite impressed i completed it without injury!

I have no idea what this lab supply means... more amps i think... did it out of bordom.. I am able to get a replacement PC supply free so if ive screwed up the pictured power supply if dont matter.. i will find a use for it!

Heres a list of everything i have taken out:
2 Fan Boxes
3 Fans
Floppy Disk
CD/DVD Drive
Back Panel (Inputs: USB, MONITOR Etc)
Back Panel Metal Power & Fan Support
3 Door sections (keep wires attached!)
Fixings For Fans
Intel Small Fan & Holder
Metal Brackets (held HDD in place)
Metal Fixings for HDD DVD etc
Metal Shelf
3 Metal supports
Side Metal Mother board Fixing

Tools thus far:
Hammer
Screwdriver (Crosshead)
Electric Drill
Drill Bit (that fits holes!)




The next stage: Sort out the power supply and connect all the fans ready for installation and figure out how im going to power the lights!

Im not to worried if i have to power the fans from the PC power supply and have to power the lights from a external plug. I can make power supply cable enter the case where a monitor cable does to look normal-ish!
(upgrade fans to better cfm? (~ 80-100??)

Then cover cardboard cutouts of inside PC case in mylar ready to be installed.. (Planning ahead room for fans and power supply) Then i will cover up any holes etc on case to look less dodgy

Also build steath boxes for fans and power supply and cover outside in mylar.

Im also going to modify where the power supply is moving it as high up as possible without looking odd.. this will provide me with as much space as possible for growth within a PC case!

look forward to doing some work on it just need some bits and bobs from maplins .. will try and complete power to case and cover in mylar for next post.. hope it aint too long... thanks for any advice in advance...

@khyberkitsune

mounting bays have gone...

I dont think i took a picture of the back from the start!

I did save all the cable ports (serial USB Mouse Keyboard etc) but have been thinking of not putting them back on.. this could be another modification job... im not too worried about what the back really looks like cos nobody other than me will move the PC case away from its storage place! altho the front is visible and i want it to look as genuine as possible!

What fan cfm are you using? How many and how have you got the placed for intake and exhaust? ive wondered about modding fan positions so there is a circular air flow within the case.. or is front - intake, back - exhaust a setup PC case growers people opt for?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by supportukhiphop

@khyberkitsune

mounting bays have gone...

I dont think i took a picture of the back from the start!

I did save all the cable ports (serial USB Mouse Keyboard etc) but have been thinking of not putting them back on.. this could be another modification job... im not too worried about what the back really looks like cos nobody other than me will move the PC case away from its storage place! altho the front is visible and i want it to look as genuine as possible!

What fan cfm are you using? How many and how have you got the placed for intake and exhaust? ive wondered about modding fan positions so there is a circular air flow within the case.. or is front - intake, back - exhaust a setup PC case growers people opt for?

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Not sure about CFM but it's a 120mm fan.

You can run lights off of the 12VDC rail if you don't overload them and the power supply can handle it. I was going to do that but the PSU takes up so much space and I needed all the space I could get (Take your tower, lie it on its back, you have my case, essentially)

My flow setup is with the fan at the back of the case blowing out, thus making the slits in the front act as the intake. This also creates negative pressure in the case, to ensure proper airflow.

Check my sig - check my rig. :)

Whats up?

Ive had some experience with using pc cases but ive never really documented any of it. Ill just tell you what I learned the hard way.

Its easiest to just spray all the inside of the case with flat white spray paint instead of trying to cut and hang mylar all over.

Also what type of light are you planning on using? Ive only used CFLs and getting enough in there will make you need more than one fan. My best working case had a 120mm and three of the smaller standard size fans for exhaust. Also mounted a standard size one with wires directly under the cfls blowing cool air across the canopy. Used 4x 26w CFLs in a smaller case than yours. Using one passive vent on the bottom front of the case. I also used the steel duct tape to cover all the light leaks inside.

Also if you plan on flowering then dont forget to make some PVC light traps for your fans. Unless you keep your case in a completely dark room...

Another thing... the power supply is going to add so much heat inside. All you need is a DC power supply of the correct voltage and amperage (cheap, a few bucks.) and a standard power cord to splice in the CFLs. Temps get hot in such a small area without alot of exhaust.

If you plan on keeping the case on the floor then I suggest rigging some panty hose on your intake slot because theres alot of things on the floor that will make its way in your case!

LSTing is a must.

Hope I could help a bit...

Cheers GetThisOrDie...

I plan on doing more research on LST etc..

Like the panty hose idea... I have a dog and her hair gets everywhere!

I was planning on using CFLs. The more i think about it not using my PSU for power makes more sense, more space can't be turned down.. I planned on having 4 fans.. Probably 3 @ 120mm. Will take ur heat advice on board

Now all i need to do is stop buying kart parts and buy some PC case electrical goods!!

its hard in a pc case plants are too tiny for me

get khyb to show you some of his LED lights...thats what you need in there...15w of LED will do good and wont take up a ton of space :jointsmile:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by stra8outtaWeed

get khyb to show you some of his LED lights...thats what you need in there...15w of LED will do good and wont take up a ton of space :jointsmile:

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Thanks for the rec, Stra8!

http://imgur.com/q4iqw.gif

That's 50w in a regular PC case - I love my micro panels. Best tri-bands you will ever find (until a certain range of blue comes down in price.)