noob question.

["Rob Iles" <rob.iles@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi All,

Is there a standard, cheap, safe & aesthetically pleasing way to mount
DIN
RAIL units within a standard 19" Rack??? (I realise I'm pushing the
"faster/better/cheaper" trade off beyond its limits!).


I've finally convinced S.O. to let me install a (small) equipment rack. 2
bed flat - it has to live in the living room (aka my work room!) - yes, I
know - am lucky to get away with that!!

I currently have 2 * 4U servers installed, and they're fairly quiet, so not
a problem. I also have 3 "development boards" - - containing a
basic setup
of (Dupline; MCG + 8 Way Relay block + 2 channel relay, Switch input, Water
sensor, Light Level Sensor; Cbus; PAC + 4 Dimmers + 4 Relays + numerous
switches (the LCD based ones are cool!), Rako; RAV232+, Dimmer, Relay +
switch plate etc) - -   all of the latter are mounted on freestanding MDF
boards, and taking up far too much floor space.

If I could *safely* mount the controllers + modules in the rack, that would
be a "Very Good Thing"(tm).

I could consider routing the outputs to *real* lights about the place,
rather than the bank of 30 Bayonet bulb fixtures I currently have!!!! (it's
all cabled so that each board could be removed at a moments notice -
inputs,
outputs, loads, processing, the lot!)


Currently, the Rako, CBus and Dupline kit is powered down overnight
(physical switch), the X10 & Domia-Lite kit is left switched on, as are
my
MCE Vista PC, and my primary Development box (XP) and a few laptops..... -
-
the X10 stuff mainly "runs the house" - - i.e. SS13
"stick-a-switches inside
each room control the main lights.


Software integration of all of the above is totally in control, I just need
ideas on how to mount it in as small a place as possible (Rack seems ideal)
- whilst keeping it physically accessible (for troubleshooting) - and not
costing megabucks, as I can't afford the luxury of a dedicated Node-0!

all and any suggestions welcomed - - on/off list!    If it turns into a
full
blown project, I'll sumarise it and post to the list it there's any
interest!!


Oh, couple of things to note:

Current accomodatation is a rented listed building - - no chance of ANY
drilling/cutting though walls/ceilings :(  - - - this explains the Dupline
/
Cbus devboards - - might as well keep them all together if I can't route
the
output elsewhere!)

Most of the kit is on loan to me for development purposes - - it will need
to be returned in good working order eventually - - so I can't
"hack" it too
much!!

If anyone could suggest a good way of "sticking all the switchgear in
the
rack", I'd be very grateful.

Thanks in advance,

Rob


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