Project BoomBerryPi
The thing just might explode with all of that water…
Oh yeah, it’s that time of year again !
Come, have a seat, and join me on this new Raspberry Pi custom case project !
As some might recall, this is not my first Pi case. My previous project the ThinkPI is currently on hold due to part unavailability.
This Pi project however, is merely the start of a new bigger project : Project Radinator (Build log to come). This project will mostly serve as a prototype for it.
Link to Linustechtips version of this build log :
So, what is it ?
It’s a custom case with intergrated watercooling… For a Raspberry Pi
I know this makes little sense for a Pi, but it makes a lot more sense for the full case. the water cooling here is just for fun.
Enjoy ! most likely the most overkill Raspberry Pi case out there xD|20x20
Entire cost (excluding the Pi) should be under 200$
Now that might sound like a lot, but that’s because I have yet to get a quote for the case.
(I estimate 100$ cad but I doubt it’s gonna be anywhere close to that, more like 50$ tops)
Components :
- Raspberry Pi 3b+
- Noctua NF-A4x10 (x2)
- Alphacool DC-LT (and likely top) or this
- Copper tubing (4mm OD)
- Aluminium welding rods
- Aluminium for the case (duh)
Link to the updates :
Updates to come…
The plan :
So, the plan is to draw up the case in 3D (photos below) and to have it laser cut out of 1mm aluminium sheets. the sheets will have holes in them (they’re 1cm wide, the holes are 4mm in diameter) for the copper tubing to go through. There will be a spacer between each fin, however I am still undecided on how to hold them all together (I’d want to avoid welding, considering the size)
Here are some design renders as of today :
The side I/O (as seen by the top opening) will be routed to the back on the other side of the panel. I will probably end up with either another metal plate or a 3d printed block.
Now, here’s the (slightly) troubling part… For the copper tubing to go through to the front radiator fins, I have to cut a hole in 2 of the fans (in and out)…
Owell Featuring a double 90* bend :
For some help understanding how the copper goes through the fins, have a look at the bigger case :
Note that there will not be anything on the top for the pi, only the front :
Note that there will be a side panel like on the bigger version :
Oh and speaking of the bigger version… here’s a size comparison
The left is holding an E-ATX motherboard… more on that later
That’s all for now.
I hope to have some news soon !