heh thanks crafty dus, yah i am planning to draw up some very crude schematics within the next few days using some of the ideas discussed here. one of the problems i have addressed and recently worked out is
- "how am i going to get all of that wiring out of the fridge to the monitor/printer/etc.
*answer A*
it would be as simple as using your everyday concrete drill! Refridgerator casings are usually comprised of a thin layer of aluminum/steel, then a much thicker layer of insulating foam followed by a final thin layer of plastic (internal coating)... all these providing little to no resistance for the powerful drill.
clean up all the rough edges with some steel wool and sandpaper, then wash with a damp cloth.
Buy yourself a heap of cable extensions for all the ports and string them through the new hole.
finally apply some primer to the hole area to fully clense of all materials and use sealent putty, wrapped around the cables, to reinforce the insulation that was previously removed.
possible faults: hard to upgrade, will result in multiple holes in freezer.. better for a system that will never be changed.. possible sealent problem with movement of cords over time.
*Answer B*
create a "junction box" for any and all cabling that might be connected to the innards that will be accessable to the outside world.
this is done fairly simply with parts from your local radio shack and some good ol fashoned study. most PC cabling isnt extremely complicated when you really look at it, and alot of the cost you pay for at the markets for cables is really for the fancy plastic molding around the cable rather then the cable itself.
simply buy the proper connectors from (insert local electronics store here) in pairs, get yourself a handy dandy hobby kit box (plastic aluminum, whatever) cut the proper holes in the box for the sizes of the connectors..wire them up... and viola, instant connection between your oh so frigid pc and the outside world.
place your new junction box in the hole you would have created *specifically fitted* for the box squeeze the sucker in , seal it up nice and tight (ala sealent putty or other measures) and there you have it!.
*possible problems*: this particular solution is ment for those who are fairly secure in their technological prowess.. some basic electronic knowledge is required and may be out of the league of some of the less tech savvy of us out there.
(might be a bit overkill with the concrete drill but it would provide the proper drill bit size could also be done with a hand drill and many holes or an electric saw of some kind)
any feedback or ideas are very much appreciated.
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