RC2014 Pro case idea to avoids DUST nigthmare - share your experience

[Dominique Meurisse (MCHobby)]

Hi Everyone,

I have a nice RC2014 Pro that I'm using a lot for Picoterm development.
I do like a lot to see its retro style computer.
Unfortunately it also gets a lot of dust over the time :.-(

Some of you did have suggestion for getting a nice case to this marvelous computer ?
Cheers,
Dominique

[morti...@gmail.com]

I am currently building my RC2014 Pro backplane into an Apple IIe case.  I imagine that no matter what we do there will be some dust.  I can imagine if that you put a computer fan it,  it might help.

Peter J. Fischel.

[Andrew Carr]

On my bench is one of the blue project boxes - sort of like: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NGGMKC3

When I get back to it, the backplane will be mounted with standoffs to the base and I'm going to be creating front/back panels that have panel mount connections to the serial/video/keyboard/etc connections on the rc2014. I've also found that the panel designer offered by https://www.frontpanelexpress.com/ exports into a variety of formats so that you don't have to use their manufacturing services.

 However, the rc2014 doesn't put off much heat - you could probably get away with something as simple as a plastic shoebox thing. If you needed to, small airflow holes could be punched and a simple 5v case fan used to get some airflow going per Peter's suggestion. Although you might want to put down some anti-static bags to isolate the board from the plastic box...

Or, make sure it's unplugged when not in use and drape a towel or pillow case over it. I imagine that there are a ton of other options that people have come up with as well.

Hope this inspires!

Andrew

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[Alan Cox]

If you look around in junk shops you can sometimes find the old card index drawers. The bigger sizes are ideal for an RC2014 backplane and give you a long case for your RC2014 adventures that pulls out when you need to access it.

My current preference is a PC case, but that needs a mini-itx sized backplane preferably with an ATX power connector and fuses. If you plan to have floppies and hard disks it makes life much easier.

Alan

[Kande Laber]

I just use the lid of a cardboard box for my SC114 combo.

[Nick Bolton]

Get yourself a project case/box. Tried to find the link to this one which is the perfect size, but it has escaped me, sorry!

 

[John Kennedy]

In the "big blue box", which provides space for a PSU too.

Laser-cut wooden and acrylic panels for front and back, for mounting connectors and LEDs.

[Tim Connolly]

I found this faux-Lego box at the Pound Shop.

For my yet to be expanded SC114 it will suffice...

though I respect the lid-of-a-cardboard-box contingent!  :D

-Tim

[lordha...@gmail.com]

Using a cheap Tandy radioshack case (ebay)... cheers! Andy

On Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at 2:26:28 PM UTC-5 dmeu...@gmail.com wrote:

[morti...@gmail.com]

I figured I would show my current Case build.  I think its pretty cool.

Peter J. Fischel

[Dominique Meurisse (MCHobby)]

Thank you all for sharing your setup (please continue, it is so nice to see your setup).

I decided to use a beige instrument case (ref WCAH2507  see this link as exemple).

Thanks to InkScape (open-source software) I designed the front panel prototype for drilling merged with future graphical layout).

I decided to use FTDI connection (6 pins on the bottom) for connexion to computer.

The PicoTerm section exposes Reset and Boot0 button because I will continue development of the PicoTerm software.
I also exposed a micoUSB A (bottom right) together with the USB A.
An additionnal toggle switch with a MAX4717EUB+ will redirect the USB D+/D- either to USB A (for keyboard) or microUSB (to send new firmware) to the Pico.

Voila!

[Pellatonian]

Since you asked for more...

I have used this case for a number of systems. It's from AliExpress and not the cheapest (around 34 Swiss francs shipped, maybe $38) but the case is metal and the end pieces plastic. This makes creating a front panel easier.

The box:

Showing one with a completed RC2014 Pro installed.

Front panel:

Case used as a base for an all-in-one system (SmallZ80):

[lordha...@gmail.com]

that is awesome.  Love that panel - do share details about the blinky lights!

[Pellatonian]

Hi,

I find the front panel is often the most difficult part of the build. It has lots of point to point wiring which must be resilient enough to be dismounted for updates etc without resoldering.

The winky lights are normally used to just to do a Cylon shuffle while the system is waiting for console input (idle). When necessary I can use them for a low overhead debugging system. They're based on Steve Cousins' Digital I/O board.

Labels are made with a Brother label maker. 'Jump Keys' are just a reference to the old mainframes I used to work on.

[Bill Shen]

Very nice!  I see you've built at least two such boxes.  The box of last picture is different than RC2014Pro box.  I like to see how the box of last picture was constructed, too.
  Bill

[Olev Toom]

Hi all!

Pellatonian -- could you please give link to the Aliexpress store that has such boxes?

Best,

olev

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[Pellatonian]

AliExpress links: The company is called 'Vange' or 'Vange Mould'. Here is a link to their storefront on AliExpress:

https://vangemould.aliexpress.com/store/900081001?spm=a2g0o.detail.1000061.1.26584fadVT9KIo

There are a number of different sizes and designs, here's a typical example from their 'Iron Metal Box' range  that I have used:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32947113943.html?spm=a2g0o.store_pc_groupList.8148356.47.24b149dbFlLOyT&pdp_npi=2%40dis%21CHF%21CHF%2026.51%21CHF%2021.21%21%21%21%21%21%40211b88f116735173873481463ed51e%2110000015228874066%21sh

[Pellatonian]

...Just a further comment: I've used them for 3 or 4 years now and the company is quite reliable. They ship in sturdy boxes and have been receptive to special requests (I wanted a number of spare front/rear panels). 

[Pellatonian]

" The box of last picture is different than RC2014Pro box.  I like to see how the box of last picture was constructed, too."

Nothing very clever, I'm afraid. The concept came from all in one systems from the 1980s. I seem to remember firms like Olivetti came up with some stylish ones.

Outside: It is a slightly larger version of the same box with an Enyo 14" VGA monitor bolted to the lid. Cables for 12v power and VGA signal disappear into the back of the box.

Inside:

At the bottom, out of sight, is a Small Z80 SBC @ 25MHz with two serial ports. Most of the switches and LEDs on the front panel go to this board.

On the "mezzanine" perf card is a VT132 board bought as a kit from The High Nibble. RS232 RX, TX, GND come from one of the Small Z80 serial ports (left). VGA goes to the monitor, USB from a keyboard and 5v power on the right.

The RS232 from the other serial port goes to the smaller WLAN board removed from a W610a gadget intended for IOT.

Power is an external supply with 5 & 12v via a DIN connector.

Depending on the switch settings, it is set up normally to act as a stand alone system with attached screen and keyboard, but it can be booted in dark mode with serial I/O through the WLAN adapter. 

I set up the CP/M BIOS to detect ESC typed on whichever is the inactive serial port, so you can work face to face on the screen and keyboard down in my little office, then stroll up to the living room and continue without a break by connecting a laptop terminal to the WLAN port and pressing ESC.

While I put the system together, I'm not smart enough to have engineered any of the electronics. I like to make different systems which are packaged into usable configurations like this, but after they are completed they tend to be put to one side and just gather dust.

[Bill Shen]

Impressive, especially with phrases like "Z80 SBC@25MHz", "VGA", "WLAN", "stand alone system", and mod to CP/M to transition from physical connection to wireless connection.  I'm glad I've asked, it sounds like the Z80 computer I'm striving to achieve.
  Bill

[Dominique Meurisse (MCHobby)]

I did finish my own setup box for RC2014 Pro

Cheers,
Dominique

[Phil G]

I just received my Jameco case (WCA-H2507) and its perfect, almost designed for the RC2014 Pro :)  Only a few mm clearance for the CF card but a miss is as good as a mile, 

theres a few cm of space all round for cables etc, sturdy but easy to drill panels, the lid can be left unfastened for easy access, its just perfect!  Thanks for the tip-off  :)

[Nick Bolton]

This one? If so, looks great! Might also buy it...
https://amzn.eu/d/8TYBttQ

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[Alan Cox]

With my amateur radio hat on you  ideally should be using a metal case for RC2014 and the like to reduce the amount of radio noise created particularly as the oscillators chosen put the main interference output at 7.3 and 3x 5x which means you ate generating noise at 22.1MHz (Maritime safety) and 36.5MHz (in the UK Ministry of Defence).

Otherwise it looks fine but expensive compared with buying cases from surplus electronics people. Think I paid a fiver for two slightly smaller than that old RS ones from ebay and there are similar or nicer cases around for low prices if you don't mind a wade through surplus electronics.

The best cases I've found for bigger RC2014 systems are actually old card index drawers (for the bigger card sizes). They are long and pull out for work as well as blending nicely into things. Plus if you can find a set from an old office or library you get this cabinet of pull out RCbus computers.

Alan

[Phil G]

I think you're being very cautious Alan, my Zed Pro is in the Jameco case sitting right next to my FRG8800 and unless I drape the aerial across the dual clock module theres nothing at the fundamental never mind at harmonics which will be a third & a fifth of that level.  I'm also a ham, G4PHL  :-)     Most RC2014s aren't even cased!

The Jamco  WCA-H2507 case has a generous number of pillar mounts which can prevent the backplane for sitting nice & flat so I removed mine, drilled 6 holes in the right place and used  nylon bolts & 6mm spacers, like this:   https://youtu.be/Z0yWnSierTg ... this is the lid, I'd already done the base before I thought about photos...

Cheers

Phil

[Mark T]

The harmonics of the clock are likely to be very narrow band, so you might not notice unless your wanted signal is narrow band and close match to the frequency of the harmonic.

This used to be a problem with GSM mobiles, 13 MHz clock causing desense of the receiver only on channel 5 and channel 70. Thats harmonics all the way up to 890MHz. More recent systems using code domain are a lot less susceptible to cw interference.

[Dominique Meurisse (MCHobby)]

Hi,

Indeed it is the same box

Dominique

[Phil G]

A 7920 LCD fits nicely behind the Jameco front panel (WCA-H2507).  This really is the perfect RC2014 case!
(thats a netbook, not a full size laptop)
These are described as 2.4" displays but  cant find any measurement, up, down, diagonal, visible, that actually measures 2.4" !!!
Cheers
Phil

[Kevin Boone]

I'm looking for a case that will accommodate two floppy disk drives, as well as a full set of front panel LEDs and switches, and  a small loudspeaker. And a mains power supply.

It did occur to me that an original IBM XT case would be ideal, and that they would just be junk. But, in fact, whenever I've seen these for sale, they've been expensive. Modern PC cases are dirt cheap, but they don't usually have floppy drive bays any more. If I'm using a generic instrument case, I'd prefer a plastic one for ease of machining -- I don't really have metalworking tools.

The cases in this thread are very nice, but they don't really seem big enough for my application. Other suggestions are most welcome.

Best wishes

Kevin

[Phil G]

How about a mini-tower PC case?  the ones I've seen have standard blanks were you can fit a floppy, usb hub, soundcard panel  or whatever
I'm a bit miffed, after gluing the LCD in place, in my stash I found a much nicer white-on-blue one, much better than the "weed-on-duckpond" colour of the first one!

I might swap it out, otherwise it will niggle me every time I use it... :-)

[Phil G]

I changed the LCD to a blue one, luckily I'd only spot-glued it. 

I like this one better than the duckpond colour:

[Andrew Carr]

You might have better luck with an old 286 AT clone desktop case, Kevin. Problem with the old IBM XT's is that they're retro-popular these days! A mini tower might work but mounting a RC2014 horizontal in one might be tricky. Only downside of the old cases is that you'll probably end up with one that needs a bit of work.

This has made me start to eyeball my case with interest again! Just have to figure out what sort of panel connectors I need to fabricate first. And blinkenlights...must have blinkenlights.

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[Kevin Boone]

Thanks to all who responded.

I've found that a lot of old computer junk that has any retro appeal has suddenly become quite expensive. I also am somewhat concerned about mounting the backplane vertically in a tower-style case. On the other hand, if a case has surplus drive bays, I could use a drive blanking plate to mount the front panel LEDs and switches, rather than drilling the case, which is probably steel covered with thick plastic.

I might end up making something myself, from plywood and aluminium panels. It will be very heavy, but at least I can get the exact size I need.

So much to think about...

Best wishes

Kevin

[Phil G]

'Blue screen' used to be a Bad Thing...

[Kevin Boone]

What kind of display is that? I've been looking for something similar for a different application.

Best wishes

Kevin

[Phil G]

Its a 12864B LCD https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265073814472

Does parallel or SPI.   Presently its only decorative but will be on SIO2.

[Kevin Boone]

Thanks. From my cursory glance at the datasheet, it looks like this interfaces (in parallel mode) the same way as the notorious HD44780 2x16 LCDs. Except that I get the impression that you can write graphics pixels directly with this display, where the HD44780 required hacks with custom fonts.

Best wishes

Kevin

[Alan Cox]

On Wed, 21 Jun 2023 at 18:41, 'Kevin Boone' via RC2014-Z80 <rc201...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Thanks. From my cursory glance at the datasheet, it looks like this interfaces (in parallel mode) the same way as the notorious HD44780 2x16 LCDs. Except that I get the impression that you can write graphics pixels directly with this display, where the HD44780 required hacks with custom fonts.

It's also possible to drive the dirtt cheap "mcufriend" style Arduino TFT shields with the  ILI controllers from a Z80 PIO or directly. They do need the \RD and \WR qualifying with a chip select for some reason. The docs say not, the reality says they do. The bigger one is nice as you can do 80 column text on it, albeit a little bit small on that screen size. The SD needs some diodes to work - whilst they level shift the panel, the SD relies upon the 3v3 generated onboard for power but uses the pull up resistors to provide the 3v3 to the logic (so you pull it down or let it float) rather than use a level shifter!

Alan

[Bob Kircher]

Would anybody care to share the code that produced the image on the 12864/7290 LCD?  Thanks.

[Bill Shen]

What is the dimension of the black plastic front and back panels of WCA-H2507?  I assume they are 1.6mm thick, the standard thickness of pc board?  The front panel can be replaced with a pc board with black soldermask with LEDs and 7-seg display and switches mounted directly on the pc board.  Front panel for RC2014!

  Bill