Mobile HD Mounting - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Scorpion23 · 12-13-2003, 07:40 AM

I need some ideas on the best orientation to mount a HD in my car computer.

I was thinking about vertical installation since the heads would just travel up and down during bad bumps instead of hitting the platter, but then the heads would be taking the g-forces when I corner.

Does anyone have any experience with this type of stuff? Also, any ideas about anti-shock mounting hardware would be appreciated.

merkerguitars · 12-14-2003, 11:58 PM

suspend the hard drive in rubber mounts.....best way...doesn't really matter if you mount it horizontal or vertical...a head crash is a head crash...i'm trying to devise the same solution for the same idea....

yakimushi · 12-15-2003, 01:40 AM

After all the abuse I put my laptop through I because kind of convinced that laptop hard drives are just short of invincible.

I've heard that suspending the HD in an enclosure with rubber bands (so its "hanging" inside the case) and foam on the walls is more than sufficient to keep the hard drive safe.

Scorpion23 · 12-15-2003, 06:49 AM

Cool, thanks for the ideas. I'm trying to devise some kind of rubber grommeted spring damped holder, I'll post back if I come up with anything.

wakelagger · 12-15-2003, 02:59 PM

I remember hearing about one guy using a hard drive in pantyhose suspended in a box. I'm not sure how well that went, but it seems like a good idea.

charliex · 12-15-2003, 03:19 PM

seems like suspending it in rubber bands would cause a lot of vibration, it'd never stop moving, plus it'd torque, like scorp said it'd need to be damped,

you'd definetely want it to be mounted horizontally, the heads would be very easy to jump on a vertical mount

something like this, would be fine, its the impact shock that generally kills drives, not the moving around

glytch · 12-15-2003, 04:10 PM

I apologize for not having anything to add to this but I would just really like to know why you have a HD in your car? This sounds very interesting. Is it for mp3s? I can honestly say this is a completely new concept to me.

Pragma · 12-15-2003, 05:27 PM

A lot of people put small computers in cars, to run various things (map software and (more frequently) mp3 players). It's a very interesting concept and one that, if I had more money, I'd definitely do. It's not something you see every day

Scorpion23 · 12-15-2003, 06:01 PM

I plan on using a mini-itx mobo with a HD and slot-load DVD player for the basics.
As far as features i'm going to have GPS nav, mp3, video, radio, and car diagnostic tools. I'm also trying to find the best place to put the 7" touchscreen LCD.

My plan is to use the touchscreen for most of the computer functions, but I'll have a mini wireless keyboard/mouse combo in the glovebox in case I need to type in directions for the GPS or something.

Scorpion23 · 12-15-2003, 06:06 PM

btw charliex, are those brass ferrules from flexible tubing or just some type of sleeve?

I had planed on something like a close-fitting inner cage suspended and cushioned by springs inside a larger drive box, with rubber stops to dampen any contact between the two cages.

Vanquish · 12-15-2003, 06:56 PM

Why not just get a Laptop hard drive and buy one of those connectors that switch the Lap top connector to a standard IDE cable?

http://www.mycableshop.com/sku/IDE4044.htm

I would think that the extra money spent on a HDD designed to take punishment would be cash well spent on something such as this.

btw, when you get her done, coudl you post some pics? THis sounds really interesting

glytch · 12-15-2003, 09:44 PM

I agree, please post some pics when you're done. This is an awesome idea.

Scorpion23 · 12-16-2003, 07:13 AM

I had planned on using a regular HD because of the cost and ease of replacement, but I might end up going with a laptop HD.

btw, here's the screen i'm using
http://xenarc.com/product/700ts.html

I'm planning on getting everything in by mid jan. since I won't have time once the semester starts. I'll post pics when i'm done.

glytch · 12-16-2003, 08:10 AM

Wow, that is freaking cool. Where are you going to mount it? Also, do you have a ballpark for how much this is going to cost?

Scorpion23 · 12-16-2003, 03:49 PM

My center console currently has a built-in compartment to hold cds and tapes, and is covered by hinged lid. I plan on removing the cd holder and putting the computer in there, that way the lid can cover it and look stock. Preliminary plans are to make a mounting bracket out of steel strips and pop rivets, with positions for the mobo and drives.

I'm working on how to get the monitor mounted flush in the dash. The debate right now is whether or not to take out the factory radio and put it in its place, but that would leave me with no integral radio as well as be unable to access the existing 4-disc changer from the factory. The only way would be some kind of fiberglass cover to go over it since I don't want it to stick up from the dash by itself.

As far as cost goes I've found the screen for $430, and the computer should be <$500. I've also seen GPS units for under $100. The most expensive part is going to be the interface to the car's existing computer. I'm probably going to wait on that phase since it can always be added in later. The cost could be driven down quite a bit if one wanted to use a regular LCD with A/V inputs, they can be found for around $120. But the screen would be fuzzy and I'd have to use the mouse for everything instead of touching the screen.

I've just ordered the screen and it should be in sometime after Christmas. Once it gets in I can see where it?d fit better, and can go from there.

Scorpion23 · 12-18-2003, 04:25 PM

Ok, disregarding the price of $45 what do ya'll think about this:

<img src="http://www.cyberresearch.com/images/products/1052094752.300.jpg" border="0">

http://www.cyberresearch.com/store/product/862.2.htm

12-13-2003, 07:40 AM	#1 (permalink)
Scorpion23 Psycho	Mobile HD Mounting I need some ideas on the best orientation to mount a HD in my car computer. I was thinking about vertical installation since the heads would just travel up and down during bad bumps instead of hitting the platter, but then the heads would be taking the g-forces when I corner. Does anyone have any experience with this type of stuff? Also, any ideas about anti-shock mounting hardware would be appreciated.

12-14-2003, 11:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
merkerguitars Buffering......... Location: Wisconsin...	suspend the hard drive in rubber mounts.....best way...doesn't really matter if you mount it horizontal or vertical...a head crash is a head crash...i'm trying to devise the same solution for the same idea.... __________________ Donate now! Ask me How! Please use the search function it is your friend. Look at my mustang please feel free to comment! http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=26985

12-15-2003, 06:49 AM	#4 (permalink)
Scorpion23 Psycho	Cool, thanks for the ideas. I'm trying to devise some kind of rubber grommeted spring damped holder, I'll post back if I come up with anything. __________________ "Empirically observed covariation is a necessary but not sufficient condition for causality" - Edward Tufte

12-15-2003, 04:10 PM	#7 (permalink)
glytch I am not permanent. Location: Tennessee	I apologize for not having anything to add to this but I would just really like to know why you have a HD in your car? This sounds very interesting. Is it for mp3s? I can honestly say this is a completely new concept to me. __________________ If you're flammable and have legs, you are never blocking a fire exit. - Mitch Hedberg

12-15-2003, 05:27 PM	#8 (permalink)
Pragma I am Winter Born Location: Alexandria, VA	A lot of people put small computers in cars, to run various things (map software and (more frequently) mp3 players). It's a very interesting concept and one that, if I had more money, I'd definitely do. It's not something you see every day __________________ Eat antimatter, Posleen-boy!

12-15-2003, 01:40 AM	#3 (permalink)
yakimushi Addict	After all the abuse I put my laptop through I because kind of convinced that laptop hard drives are just short of invincible. I've heard that suspending the HD in an enclosure with rubber bands (so its "hanging" inside the case) and foam on the walls is more than sufficient to keep the hard drive safe.

12-15-2003, 02:59 PM	#5 (permalink)
wakelagger Insane Location: Toronto	I remember hearing about one guy using a hard drive in pantyhose suspended in a box. I'm not sure how well that went, but it seems like a good idea.

12-15-2003, 03:19 PM	#6 (permalink)
charliex Junkie Location: North Hollywood	seems like suspending it in rubber bands would cause a lot of vibration, it'd never stop moving, plus it'd torque, like scorp said it'd need to be damped, you'd definetely want it to be mounted horizontally, the heads would be very easy to jump on a vertical mount something like this, would be fine, its the impact shock that generally kills drives, not the moving around

12-15-2003, 06:01 PM	#9 (permalink)
Scorpion23 Psycho	I plan on using a mini-itx mobo with a HD and slot-load DVD player for the basics. As far as features i'm going to have GPS nav, mp3, video, radio, and car diagnostic tools. I'm also trying to find the best place to put the 7" touchscreen LCD. My plan is to use the touchscreen for most of the computer functions, but I'll have a mini wireless keyboard/mouse combo in the glovebox in case I need to type in directions for the GPS or something. __________________ "Empirically observed covariation is a necessary but not sufficient condition for causality" - Edward Tufte

12-15-2003, 06:06 PM	#10 (permalink)
Scorpion23 Psycho	btw charliex, are those brass ferrules from flexible tubing or just some type of sleeve? I had planed on something like a close-fitting inner cage suspended and cushioned by springs inside a larger drive box, with rubber stops to dampen any contact between the two cages. __________________ "Empirically observed covariation is a necessary but not sufficient condition for causality" - Edward Tufte

12-15-2003, 06:56 PM	#11 (permalink)
Vanquish Insane Location: Truro, Nova Scotia	Why not just get a Laptop hard drive and buy one of those connectors that switch the Lap top connector to a standard IDE cable? http://www.mycableshop.com/sku/IDE4044.htm I would think that the extra money spent on a HDD designed to take punishment would be cash well spent on something such as this. btw, when you get her done, coudl you post some pics? THis sounds really interesting

12-15-2003, 09:44 PM	#12 (permalink)
glytch I am not permanent. Location: Tennessee	I agree, please post some pics when you're done. This is an awesome idea. __________________ If you're flammable and have legs, you are never blocking a fire exit. - Mitch Hedberg

12-16-2003, 07:13 AM	#13 (permalink)
Scorpion23 Psycho	I had planned on using a regular HD because of the cost and ease of replacement, but I might end up going with a laptop HD. btw, here's the screen i'm using http://xenarc.com/product/700ts.html I'm planning on getting everything in by mid jan. since I won't have time once the semester starts. I'll post pics when i'm done. __________________ "Empirically observed covariation is a necessary but not sufficient condition for causality" - Edward Tufte

12-16-2003, 08:10 AM	#14 (permalink)
glytch I am not permanent. Location: Tennessee	Wow, that is freaking cool. Where are you going to mount it? Also, do you have a ballpark for how much this is going to cost? __________________ If you're flammable and have legs, you are never blocking a fire exit. - Mitch Hedberg

12-16-2003, 03:49 PM	#15 (permalink)
Scorpion23 Psycho	My center console currently has a built-in compartment to hold cds and tapes, and is covered by hinged lid. I plan on removing the cd holder and putting the computer in there, that way the lid can cover it and look stock. Preliminary plans are to make a mounting bracket out of steel strips and pop rivets, with positions for the mobo and drives. I'm working on how to get the monitor mounted flush in the dash. The debate right now is whether or not to take out the factory radio and put it in its place, but that would leave me with no integral radio as well as be unable to access the existing 4-disc changer from the factory. The only way would be some kind of fiberglass cover to go over it since I don't want it to stick up from the dash by itself. As far as cost goes I've found the screen for $430, and the computer should be <$500. I've also seen GPS units for under $100. The most expensive part is going to be the interface to the car's existing computer. I'm probably going to wait on that phase since it can always be added in later. The cost could be driven down quite a bit if one wanted to use a regular LCD with A/V inputs, they can be found for around $120. But the screen would be fuzzy and I'd have to use the mouse for everything instead of touching the screen. I've just ordered the screen and it should be in sometime after Christmas. Once it gets in I can see where it?d fit better, and can go from there. __________________ "Empirically observed covariation is a necessary but not sufficient condition for causality" - Edward Tufte

12-18-2003, 04:25 PM	#16 (permalink)
Scorpion23 Psycho	Ok, disregarding the price of $45 what do ya'll think about this: <img src="http://www.cyberresearch.com/images/products/1052094752.300.jpg" border="0"> http://www.cyberresearch.com/store/product/862.2.htm __________________ "Empirically observed covariation is a necessary but not sufficient condition for causality" - Edward Tufte