How-To Protect against condensation for Mach one/two Prometeia

[rhino56]

Materials Required

1.Liquid electrical tape
2.Regular vinyl electrical tape
3. Assorted screwdrivers
4.Dielectric grease
5.Small paint brushes
6.Sealstring
7.Cuticle pusher or similar tool
8.Neoprene mouse pad
9.Optional- Jigsaw w/ Metal blade and drill w/ bit

Precautions on sealing a cpu for sub zero temps:
Never use silicone that isnt for electronics like homedepot or lowes type of household silicone, they contain acids that will eat away at the pcb (circuit board)

do not use open cell foam

the automotive dieletric grease that you find in auto stores is fine to use but check the specs of it to make sure its able to withstand the temps you will be going to.

before applying sealstring, dieletric grease, Liquid electrical tape, vinyl electrical tape clean the surface area you are applying it with alcohol and a q-tip.




The first thing i do is remove the white plastic socket cover, this is optional and you dont have to but its held on with these clips as seen here



click for full size image

[rhino56]

i remove it by inserting a flat screwdriver in the 4 slots and slightly bending the sides past the retaining clips.



Now on the back of the board you need to paint on some liquid electrical tape (LET) onto all the visible metal inside the square. i just do around the outside edges not so much in the center.


Now cut some neoprene from the mouse pad if you dont have any, make sure it is closed cell foam, you can test to make sure it is by trying to breath thru it. if you cant breath its closed

now cut pieces to fit inside the back plate, 2 of them so its just over the height of the mounts.



now paint the dielectric grease on the neoprene as seen here.
the grease will work its way under seal string if it is too close to it so dont get any near the edges where the seal string will be.





now install the seal string along the back plate edges and mount it on the board using the screws to line it up in the holes.




Carefully flip the board over holding the screws so they dont fall out and set it on its back now, i always work on the softside of a mouse pad or 2.

Apply the Dielectric grease to the socket and replace the plastic cover.
if you didnt take it off just try to get it in the holes good. counting each hole as you go to make sure you dont miss any.lol


now fill the center area with dielectric grease making a wedge towards the bottom as if any water were to form this is where it would try to go.


Now install the sealstring on the front mounting plate and install the plate onto the board..
Tighten the screws nice and tight but dont strip them


now paint the LET into the inside areas of the cell as seen, make sure it meets the edge of the sealstring nice and thick to further help seal the cell.

you can use 2 coats if it doesnt seem very thick on any metal points.

[rhino56]

now put another line of sealstring around the outside of the plate. make sure you dont cover any mosfets (square black things with 3 metal legs)
with the seal string.
i use a cuticle stick to push it into the gap and seal it down to the board.





Do the same to the backplate also, then cover the screws with electrical tape. i put 2 layers over it.
Its a good thing to cut your motherboard tray to have access to the backside of the cell so you dont have to remove the motherboard off the tray just to remove the hermetic cell.










now your ready to mount it up. dont forget to clean the area to put seal string on and the areas it will come in contact with.


once its mounted good and tight seal around the collar of it and the screws with sealstring also.


if you have any questions feel free to ask in this thread.

[Wizard James]

way to much freakin time for me

[Jenny]

Very cool. I'm sure that will help lots of people

[xTrEmEoVrClOcKr]

*Looks at this guide 1000 times before insulation the mobo for the Mach1* Thx Rhino for the through guide.