May-4-2007
As I mentioned previously, this project is restricted to budget, I am currently working on some side things for the project including custom programmed micro-controllers to help control the sequencing of the system power up and to test for any failures of the Swiftech 655 pump (also known as the Danger Den D5 and the Laing D5), radiator fans for the Switech MCR360, moisture via moisture sensors, power supplies via voltage monitoring, flow via the flow monitor and any other critical sections which may need to be monitored. This may in the future include a peltier device, also known as a TEC, Thermo Electric Chip, or Thermo Electric Cooler and along those lines. Essentially a thermal management controller for the system. It will be used for more critical things related directly to the liquid cooling and possible peltier setup.
This is a photo of one such device programmer, it is an STK-500 for programming Atmel AVR micro-controller chips. These chips are very versatile and provide a broad array of functions, inputs, outputs and external device support. IF you look into electronics much, I'm sure you will have seen a little "Atmel" chip here or there.
May-6-2007
I've been playing around with some lighting ideas for the case, here are a few different LED options. These bright ones are known as Luxeon Stars, they're rated 1 Watt and throw out an imense amount of light. They come with and without lenses to focus. With a lense they produce the bright spots as you can see, and without the lense, they provide more of a 'wash'. Luxeon Stars require a heatsink when run at full power, since the case is aluminum, this will work out great with the use of a little thermal epoxy such as the Arctic Silver 2 part thermal epoxy.
-- End Part 3