Garage Electronics Rack |
Now that we have a place to put some machines, we need equipment to accompany the work. Not tools - No, we need electronics. Computers, music, telephones, and intercoms. All that stuff needs a central point from which to radiate - ergo, the need for an Equipment Rack. It will hold the patch panel for all thecabling (ethernet, intercom, speakers, etc.), any ethernet switches, a music amplifier, TV distribution, and any other electronics that will run the garage. You never know when you might need "The Google" like Mr. Bush did once. For more on this astoundingly amazing capability (and so that someone other than me knows about it), see the Garage Media System page. |
The electronics cabinet will go in the upper corner here. Note the board attached to the ceiling to hold up that corner. Also note the power outlet to juice up the electronics. |
This is the hole where all the cabling will come down through. There is also the plug to energize all the electricity hungry copper wiring. |
The ceiling frame is complete. I just couldn't resist hanging the rack. Of course I debated on which wall to put it. I started with it on this wall. But the door will swing into the cabinet, knocking off all the treasures on any possible shelf. |
The corner hanger is in place. The rack is still on the side wall. At this stage, there was not going to be any formal shelves. But seeing that expanse of wall to the left, I figured I could mount some shelves. It was about here I started thinking of making it a fully enclosed cabinet. |
The next day and nearing completion of the framing. I really got tired of a stupid FM radio and the staticky crap it plays (along with the commercials). So I pulled a one of the two house runs through and terminated one ethernet cable so I could get some Radio Paradise into the garage. Ahh . . . much better! |
The inside of the lower cabinet. Note the chase for cables or leaking oil. |
Fittin' Time! An old junker Sony amp (aren't they all?). This one's down from 5.1 channels to two - just enough to run the two TIC Corporation ASP120 outdoor speakers. Figured even though its insulated, the garage would be outside like in temps. Junker notebook running Radio Paradise into analog inputs.. |
When I get my replacement media PC's I'll take the old ones and put in the top cabinet, then put a monitor and keyboard on the little table top. That's going to be my office, but I need to make a new chair (I have some 2x4's left I'll use). You see I have some important papers and a flashlight for night time work. Note one of the TIC ASP120 speakers. |
Here is the other speaker. This one had to have a new box put in to terminate the wires. I have six different locations where I ran speaker cable, but none here. That's OK cause I learned about "Old Work" boxless boxes for low voltage. Cutting and installing was easy. Running cable was a little less easy since I had to move floor above. Also installed the two line phone. Line 1 for regular phone. Line 2 goes to my KCE Technology FX-207 phone switch so I can call the house. |
The last bit of electronics. This is the Nutone 8" intercom that's plumbed into the house intercom. The 8" gives improved thump for the garage. Also, completed the etherent wiring (note the little blue spec - that's one of 11 Panduiut Minicom Cat5e jacks used for Etherent and phone. Also an old house TV that is getting excessed due to the move to HiDef and computer driven LCDs, Plasmas, and Projectors. Pretty cool - I watched NASCAR for the first time in 10 years (with the volume down so I don't start using double negatives and ending sentances with prepositions). What better program to watch in the garage! |