• The site migration is complete! Hopefully everything transferred properly from the multiple decades old software we were using before. If you notice any issues please let me know, thanks! Also, I'm still working on things like chatbox, etc so hopefully those will be working in the next week or two.

ECM/TCM trays

DirtDog

DirtDog

New member
So I'm designing a fully enclosed tray for those of us that don't want them just sitting even those mine has been just zip tied down for two years. It will have a plexiglass top so u can see it. And rubber grommets for the wires to keep it still sealed. There will be rubber isolation feet to reduce vibrations. Anyone interested in one.

Also question as well for the design. Does the ECM and TCM get hot. Or will a sealed case be fine.

Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk
 


Since GM saw fit to put heat sink fins on the PCM, and they mount it in the air box where it would get high airflow across it, I don't think a sealed enclosure would work out well. I've been in electronics for the Air Force for 38 years and I know how much heat can be generated by electronic equipment. Cooling is an important requirement to reliability. Just my 2 cents.
 
They don't get that hot due to the massive heatsink/case on them. The regulators and MOSFETS are really the only things that get hot in the PCM, you could easily design a case that made things look nice, just cut some vent holes in it, or even throw a fan on the back and a vent hole on the front. Honestly I think a vent hole or two on the top would be just fine.
 
If I was ever going to attempt a build at a pcm tray, which is unlikely, I would try to copy the oem tray as much as possible. I would keep the bottom half similar and would only put a small amount of covering on the top. just my .02. good luck with the project.
 
Heat is the enemy of electronics. Close off the airflow over the heat sink fins and it's only a matter of time.
 


My 2 cents, cooling issues or not.... it's gonna be cheap to sell. People won't likely pay a bundle for a PCM tray (although I've been surprised before). My thought is, keep it simple. Perhaps a simple little metal tray with brackets to hole the PCM securely would be effective, and also won't hinder cooling. You could even ship it disassembled to keep the shipping costs down.
 
**** I wasn't planning on selling them. I just wanted to get some thoughts. I like keeping my car one of a kind

Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk
 
for those of us that don't want them just sitting
Click to expand...
Anyone interested in one.
Click to expand...

Sorry, OP kinda implied they would be given/sold... but since that's not the case, maybe start by looking at how small PC cases are designed (mini itx for instance) and maybe that will give you some design ideas.
 
Well my anyone interested I was saying I'll make the design and how to pubpic

Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk
 
The pcm is EXTREMELY well built and will be just as happy underwater as it is zip tired to the frame. No sense in putting it in a fancy box and risking overheating it.
 


Honestly it's not about it getting wet. It's about how filthy it's getting and how unprofessional that area of my engine bay looks. I don't think it's going to over heat with the design I made. We shall see though. Untimely I'd like the computer in my car....but that'll be a long future plan.

Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top