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Briefcase ish to large laptopish (self.raspberrypi)

submitted 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) by HumanPenguin to c/raspberrypi@lemmy.ml

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This is independent of other projects I have asked for help on. I'm just looking for anything done similar to my plan.

I am visually impaired. So tend to find most laptop pi projects way to small for common use. But also want an experimental bed for pie projects and experiments in genral.

So my idea is. I'll get a aluminium briefcase like case. Mount a 18 plus inch portable USB c powered display into the lid. It would also be nice if I could have my 15inch display fold out on a vesa mount. As an extra.

Inside the case id like to mount a large 18650 or similar lifepo4 batt. I'm thinking 4s 4p with a BMS so I can power usb 100w output with a 12v hub. This should allow out put to multiple monitors and a pie or 2.

I have a great small wireless keyboard and mouse. That could be popped in and out.

For the main board currently I'll use my waveshare CM4 poe board b with my 32/8 gb cm4.

But long term the itx cluster board looks good. When I have a bit more cash.

The main idea is it will allow me to connect multiple pcie riser cables to the boards via a 4 way wave share pcie switch to start with. Providing space to mount different boards and options as I change projects.

As folks may have seen from other projects. I move between home and my tiny narrowboat I share with my brother. So this will be more about being able to port multiple pie projects as much as being a usable PC type thing.

So if anyone has seen or worked on a project that may point to cool ways to mount this. I'd love to see them.

As I do not have a 3d printer. And cannot really argue the value for as rare as id use it. I am thinking alliminium plate cut and riveted to mount boards etc to the inside. But would love other ideas folks have seen or can come up with.

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[–] bigmclargehuge@lemmy.world 1 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (1 children)

My mind for mounting personally goes to foam with cutouts (making sure the foam is of an antistatic variety). This would provide a snug fit for different hardware in their assigned spaces, plus easy removal/rearrangment, and in-built shock absorption in case of drops etc. Channels could be cut in the foam to allow different connections and route them where you need.

Now, I can't say I've ever built a project like this so this may not work for your needs.

[–] HumanPenguin 1 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Its something I considered. What worries me is i plan to run stuff in the case. And foam will insulate to well.

[–] bigmclargehuge@lemmy.world 1 points 6 months ago (3 children)

Yes that was my main concern too. I suppose if you wanted to really go for it, you could also make cutouts for fans and cut some channels for airflow, but in the end aluminum panels with maybe some rubber standoffs for mounting may just be the safer option. And I suppose thubscrews for securing boards would make them easily removable

[–] HumanPenguin 1 points 6 months ago

Another idea that may go well with aluminium sheet. Rives a collection of 35mm din rails to the 6 sides of the case. Then mount frameworks to them.

[–] HumanPenguin 1 points 6 months ago

Really like the idea of thumb screws. But I can see them being to big on the board side.

But then if I can find plastic ones this would need less of an issue. They would still need to ne 5 ot 6 mm above the board. So they can fit. But positioning would be less of an issue shorts wise.

[–] HumanPenguin 1 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Yep with an inset rivet tool. I can set multiple mount points. Just drilling new ones when I want a different to pcb. If I can find a 3 high pcie frame I could mount to the case so it can be accessed from the side while the case is closed. It would be pretty usablele.

[–] bigmclargehuge@lemmy.world 1 points 6 months ago

Sounds like you're going in a good direction. Again I've personally never put anything like this together, I'd be interested to see what you come up with