Hello hello, mini-rack aficionados !

Context

Let's start this post with some context. After building a first mini-rack, I had what I call a power bricks issue... In my rack, I have 6 tinys, 2 firewalls and 2 switches, all using power adapter bricks. Yes, 10 power bricks requiring AC power sockets to connect, lots of messy wires and bricks to manage.

We move this mini rack rig quite often; we haul it in conferences, clients demos, ... A bin full of messy wires and power bricks isn't fun to handle, and moreover, doesn't look professional at all. We wanted (no, we needed!) a neat and clean solution. I started with a few simple requirements :

• It must be the same XY form factor as a DeskPi 10" rack, I want my "power box" to sit under my rack.
• It must be able to connect 10 AC plugs inside it, with only 1 extension connected to the wall.

With these requirements in hand, I started my project. I first built the box I needed, which I'm honestly proud of. It does exactly what it needs to do and imho, looks quite good too! Then, a few weeks ago, I finally had some time available to publish my model. This ended up a lot further than expected : I made multiple improvements to the design, made it available from 2U to 6U, created lots of optional parts, it became ... The [YaMR] Project ! (Sorry for the lame / not original at all name haha)

Final Result

Before digging a little into the build itself, here are some pics of the final result. The NationTech Power Brick box is the original one, the first I made. The other pics are from The [YaMR] Project. All models from this project are available on MakerWorld in this collection, the base model being this one.

The Story - Part 1 - The Power Brick

So, I wanted a clean way to manage my wiring. First things first, I needed a powerbar with 10 plugs on it, optionally with some usb connections. It needed to fit inside a box with the same footprint as a DeskPi 10" rack. After some time digging around, I found this TROND model which checked all the boxes. With this in hand, let the design phase begin!

I decided to make the width of frame the same as the DeskPi. I designed the base of the frame so it can integrate the powerbar and hold it securely in place. I also decided to make it "a rack", because... why not?

I made the frame arms "2U+". What do I mean with "+" ? If you look attentively, there's 8 holes on my arms, while 2U is "6". This is because I plan to use the upper/lower holes to secure the braces holding the left and right frame sides together.

I used a 1U shelf to attach all the bricks inside. The tiny's bricks up top, the other tied under. I also created custom braces, one to deal with the tiny's wires and one to hold 2x 80mm fans.

I also designed a slide-on cover and removable side panels which closes the box and makes it tighter.

The Story - Part 2 - The [YaMR] Project

I planned to release my Power Brick model on MakerWorld as I do with most of my projects. After a couple months, I finally had some time available so I opened the project back to clean up my 3mf files and make sure I have clean print profiles. Then it happened (again) : I started to make improvements :

• Slotted the frame arms so I can slide on fixed side panels
• Designed new slide-on side panels
• Added multiple zip-ties slots in the arms
• Added threads in one of the frame arms hole so it can be assembled without heat-set inserts if desired
• Designed frame arms up to 6U (in fact, 8U but as I can't test-print them (printer too small), I can't post them)
• Designed multiple various braces : with keystones, with vents, with wire-pass holes, for 2x 80mm fan, for 120mm fan, for DeskPi 7.84inch lcd, ...
• Designed top handles

The [YaMR] Project was born.

If you're still there, thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed! Feel free to comment / discuss.

Base Model on MakerWorld
The whole [YaMR] collection on MakerWorld

Ohhh, almost forgot to pay the cat tax!! Here it is :P