How long can it go?

[MaxDepth]

I would like to have some items outside the box, namely DVD drive and a remote control console device (iMon). I want to put my box in a closet and have the drive and console in the next room, passing the cables in the wall between the two

I can get extra long SATA cables and USB connectors but I forgot to research extra long power cables.

On Monoprice's site, I see they have a 12" cable. How many of these can I connect to form a longer chain? I would like to have something at least 6'.

So do I have to worry about:
1 - power dropping over that length
2 - heat disapation and/or fire hazard


OR - do I just go for external enclosures?

 

[Zap]

The best bet would be to go with an external enclosure. With eSATA you get something designed for external use but without a performance hit. With optical drives, you may as well go USB.

Is this your iMON? It uses a USB interface, so you would just need to get power to it. Perhaps an external two 5¼" drive bay?

If you really want to extend your power cables I would suggest making your own because it would reduce the resistance inherent in having multiple connectors. You can use just about any proper-guage wire, and you can buy the connectors and pins at various e-tailers catering to modders.

For instance...
Use this to get power and SATA outside your case. They also make an IDE version as well as power-only versions in both drive bay and rear slot versions.
Make your own cables with Molex connectors and some cabling of your choice.

You can then use a USB to EIDE/SATA adaptor for your optical drive connected to a USB hub. The iMON also connects to the USB hub, along with your keyboard and mouse. Then, one USB cable runs back to your system. For power you have one set of power cables, which splits into two for your optical and iMON.

 

[MaxDepth]

Originally posted by: Zap
The best bet would be to go with an external enclosure. With eSATA you get something designed for external use but without a performance hit. With optical drives, you may as well go USB.

Is this your iMON? It uses a USB interface, so you would just need to get power to it. Perhaps an external two 5¼" drive bay?

Thanks!


Yes, that is the iMon.

An basically, that's what I want to do with my HTPC. I want to keep all the motherboard elements off in a separate room [closet] and have just the necessary peripherals exposed in the living room. If I could build something like an external closure, I would ideally have:

- Blu Ray (combo with DVD burner) as one unit
- the iMon front end as another
- 3 USB ports (one for my Bluetooth keyboard, one for the ir Mouse]http://www.woot.com/Blog/ViewEntry.aspx?Id=5824[/L], and one open for a thumbdrive, etc.


I think there could be a small boutique business for this kind of thing.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: MaxDepth
I want to keep all the motherboard elements off in a separate room [closet] and have just the necessary peripherals exposed in the living room.

Welcome to 1997.

IBM Aptiva S">http://www.businessweek.com/1997/22/b352923.htm/</a>
"To save space, IBM designers put the CD-ROM, diskette drive, and power switch in a slim console that sits on the desk. The rest of the charcoal-colored PC--the hard disk, expansion slots, and the motherboard--are in a cabinet that can be stashed under the desk."

Originally posted by: MaxDepth
I think there could be a small boutique business for this kind of thing.

I've already thought of that***, but the problem is how to turn on the machine remotely. There is no easy external method short of using "power on PS/2" or something, and I've found those to not work with all motherboards. The sure-fire way is to patch in to the power switch connector, but then it isn't just a simple "plug it in" solution for the average consumer. IBM's solution worked because it was proprietary. So, how does one design a solution that works with any and all computers without having to open up the case?

Come to think of it, your iMON can turn on the PC by remote control, but that ties into the ATX 24-pin power cable, right? That's what gives the iMON power (through 5VSB) and how it can turn on the PC. You will lose that PC turn-on function, unless you can extend those cords to the remote unit.

This drive bay is close to what you want. It has an internal SATA HDD bay, external SATA connectors, EIDE optical drive bay, flash card reader and extra USB ports. It has a power brick and needs one USB cable back to your PC.

***If I ever turn my idea into reality, I'll give ya one!

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: Zap
This drive bay is close to what you want. It has an internal SATA HDD bay, external SATA connectors, EIDE optical drive bay, flash card reader and extra USB ports. It has a power brick and needs one USB cable back to your PC.

Now that's a pretty neat device. Only $30 too. Hmm.

 

[MaxDepth]

"To save space, IBM designers put the CD-ROM, diskette drive, and power switch in a slim console that sits on the desk. The rest of the charcoal-colored PC--the hard disk, expansion slots, and the motherboard--are in a cabinet that can be stashed under the desk."

That's so funny, ZAP! I was at IBM at that time and got to preview some of the hardware. (I was moved from Netfinity hardware to ServerWorld, that year.) At that time, I was thinking of the same spring connections to pop up those elements (diskette and disk drive) on a desk. You would push down on those parts on the desk top and the drives would slowly angle up from the surface and then latch back down when you pressed them.

I didn't have my own fabrication studio to make those geers at that time, though. I think it is still a good idea... Hmmm, maybe those Dansih kitchen cabinent door hardware might to do the trick.

I am thinking the house of the future has electrical and network drops built into the house to provide things like 4/5 pin molex, ethernet, and component/HMDI.


Yes, I can use the iMon to turn on or wake the system but yes, it requires connection to the ATX power.


I've emailed some of my local friends who actually went to school for such things ME and EE and are interested in my goal. Who knows? But I will keep everyone posted if there are updates.