Installation and Setup Guide
From RedPost/Kit/Documentation
WARNING: Installing your RedPost/Kit requires some basic electrical knowledge and the ability to operate hand tools. Nothing too complicated, but it does require a certain level of handiness. Don't hurt yourself. More importantly, if you do hurt yourself, don't blame us for your hurt.
Contents |
[edit] Tools required
- wire stripper/cutter
- screwdriver
- pliers
- level (if you like things that way)
- electric drill (depending on mounting options)
- stud finder (if looking for studs)
[edit] Included parts
- LCD screen
- VGA cable
- LCD power cable
- Mini-PC*
- Mini-PC power supply*
- Wifi antenna*
- Wifi extension cable*
- 6' 14-3 indoor electrical wire
- electrical plug
- 1/2" conduit fitting cord clamp
- wood screws (4), drywall anchors (4), case screws (8), VESA mount screws (4)
(* not included if you didn't order the Mini-PC with your Kit)
[edit] Pre-installation decisions
[edit] Wifi antenna
Your RedPost/Kit just happens to be sheathed in a skin of steel, which has the benefit of keeping it secure from the rogue radio waves broadcast by invading aliens but the side effect of blocking wifi signals. As such, your Kit includes a Wifi antenna and Wifi extension cable..
The case includes 6 holes where you can choose to place your antenna. You can also drill your own 1/4" diameter hole wherever you'd like.
[edit] If you are flush mounting your Kit on a drywall wall
Install your antenna on the back of the unit -- the antenna will poke into the drywall. Install your antenna on the side of the unit if your landlord will evict you if you poke another hole in your drywall.
[edit] If you are using a VESA mount
Install your antenna on the back of the unit -- the antenna will be hidden out of sight.
[edit] If you are flush mounting your Kit against a concrete or brick wall
Install your antenna on the side of the unit and imagine yourself in The Jetson's.
[edit] Electrical power
Your Kit thirsts for 110 volt electricity. You have several options for how to quench it's thirst:
[edit] If you are flush mounting your Kit on a drywall wall
If you can, run electric to the back of the kit using a standard electrical box, making sure to line up your electrical box in your wall with one of the two electrical knockouts on the back of the kit.
If you cannot run electric to the back of the kit, you can either run conduit to the bottom conduit knockouts which gives your Kit a bit more of an industrial look, or you can run the included electrical cord out the top or bottom conduit knockouts, using the included 1/2" conduit fitting cord clamp.
[edit] If you are using a VESA mount
Run the included electrical cord out one of the two knockouts on the back of the case, using the included 1/2" conduit fitting cord clamp. Run the cord along your mount and to the nearest electrical outlet. You may want to use plastic wire mold if the cord is exposed (watch out, wire mold is way overpriced for what you get).
[edit] If you are flush mounting your Kit against a concrete or brick wall
Run the included electrical cord out the bottom conduit knockouts, using the included 1/2" conduit fitting cord clamp
[edit] Installation location
[edit] Wall mounting
On a side note, don't piss off your landlord (if you have one) by putting lots of holes in his/her wall. You can sit your Kit on an end table or shelf as well, as long as you anchor the bottom so it doesn't topple over and crush something.
To begin the mounting process, remove the side screws from your Kit and remove the top piece. Then remove the LCD monitor from the bottom piece (you may have to take the tape off) -- simply slide it towards the top of the case. You'll just be working with the bottom piece of the Kit, so also remove all the cords and cables.
[edit] In an Ideal World filled with 16" wood-studded drywall covered walls
Ideally, you're mounting your Kit on a drywall wall with 16" wood studs that you can screw directly into.
In this world, you're also running your electrical service to an outlet box hidden behind the kit (because it's easy to run electrical wire through walls...ok, it can be difficult, especially if you don't have access to the inside of the wall without tearing things out, but remember, we're in an ideal world here). Note that if you do so, there's no on/off switch on the Kit itself, so you need to either program the Kit to turn on and off at certain times, or install your electrical circuit with a switch to turn it on and off.
Make sure you mark the right height for your outlet box, install the box, run your electrical (don't mess with live power either, it hurts), then mark your studs with your stud finder. If you're willing, you can install your antenna into your drywall as well. Have someone hold the bottom of your Kit in place, level it, and mark one of the two antenna holes located right above and to the side of the electrical knockouts on the bottom piece of the Kit. Make a roughly 1" hole in the drywall using a utility knife, drywall punch, or other sharp device.
Install your antenna extension cable in the desired antenna mounting hole on the back of , making sure to tightly secure the antenna extension nut and lock washer on the outside of the case. Screw on the antenna tightly to the extension cable.
Now lift the bottom piece back up into position, using a level to ensure the case is level (don't be like me and not use a level -- it never works out). Use all 4 included wood screws to secure your Kit to the wall, making sure the screws actually hit the studs.
[edit] In a slightly less Ideal World, but still with drywall covered walls
Using the including drywall anchors, you can mount your Kit without having studs in the right places. Place the bottom (the black piece) of your Kit against the wall, level it, and then mark the 4 outside mounting holes with a pencil. Install the anchors at these marks, and then attach the bottom of your Kit to the wall.
[edit] You have a concrete or brick wall, don't you?
Ok, so you have a concrete wall. You're going to have to use "tapcons" (that's a brand name, but it's like Kleenex, everyone calls them tapcons) to attach your Kit to the wall. You'll also need a hammer drill.
Pretty much the same installation process applies. Attach the bottom piece of your Kit to the wall, put 4 tapcons in the mount holes, then run your power either through conduit or with a cord in the top or bottom conduit knock-out holes. You're also going to have to mount your antenna cable on either side of your Kit.
[edit] VESA mounting
VESA Mounting is a bit simpler than flush mounting on a wall. You have to provide the VESA mount, of course. First attach the VESA mount to your wall, and then attach the bottom piece of the case to the mount.
[edit] Electrical
Don't try wiring up your Kit if you don't know what you're doing. Although, it's really not that hard, so you can probably get away with it. Either way, make sure to turn off any power that you're going to be touching so you don't get a 110 volt suprise.
However you get electrical service into your Kit (either through a wall box, a cord, or through conduit), you simply need to attach the wiring you ran to the 3 wires coming from the LCD monitor and the 2 wires coming from the MiniPC power supply. Use the supplied wire nuts. Make sure the black wire from the LCD monitor power cord connects to the hot wire you ran (which should also be black, but may not be, depending on what you did). In the same vein, the white (neutral) wire from the LCD monitor should attach to the neutral wire that you ran. The green wire should attach to ground. The wires from the MiniPC power supply (there are only two) can attach to either neutral or hot, they don't care.
[edit] Final steps
You're almost done!
First, you should configure the Default redpost.conf file, which is in the USB flash drive and is called redpost.conf. There are a whole bunch of settings in there that are pretty self explanatory.
Next, attach your Wifi antenna extension cable to the MiniPC (if it's not already run to the back of the case) and run it to the location where you'll be mounting your antenna. You may want to tape it in place to hold it there temporarily.
Now connect the VGA cable and MiniPC power supply to the MiniPC. These cables will run down the left side of the case, where there are two wire ties for you to attach them with. The MiniPC power supply will sit at the bottom of the case, where there is enough room for it's prongs to clear the monitor.
Plug the LCD power cord and VGA cable into the LCD monitor and re-attach it to your Kit. You may need to bend the antenna extension cable over ahead of time so it doesn't interfere with the LCD monitor (if it's mounted on the back of your Kit).
[edit] Attaching the case
If you're mounting the antenna on either side, install the antenna extension cable in the top piece of the case before re-attaching the top piece (this can be a little tricky).
Make sure all cords are clear of the top piece of the case. Re-attach the case using all 8 screws (or less if you'd like -- they're certainly not all needed, they just look nice).
Tip: If you put 2 screws on just the sides, you can easily remove the top screws and loosen the bottom screws to get access to the flash drive or the PS/2 and USB ports to plug in a keyboard/mouse if you need to troubleshoot your Kit. This way, you don't have to remove all the screws every time you need in the case.
Go at it!
