The perfect accessory for a hot-rodded PC (or one that you would like to appear hot-rodded) – a set of headers that emits a deep rumbling roar when the computer starts up.

Upon pressing the power switch, the simulated whirr of an electrical starter motor engaging is emitted, followed by the chug chug sound a large displacement V-8 engine turning over. Once the POST is complete, the deep throaty roar of a heavily breathed on engine with the throttle being blipped is emitted. As the OS loaded, the roar would reduce to a rumbling idle that would slowly fade out.

As an added bonus, the headers would include a ducted fan ventilation system to help keep the PC's internals cool. Available in nickel, black nickel or powder coated in a variety of colors.
-- nuclear hobo, May 02 2007

Computer Starting Handle Computer_20Starting_20Handle
get your motor running... [xenzag, May 02 2007]

Trustee fron the Toolroom http://en.m.wikiped..._Toolroom#section_1
From the talented Nevil Shute. [8th of 7, Oct 21 2012]

I would rather hear a low hum gradually building into a whine, like the sound of an aircraft engine starting. Add the crackle of electricity and a whole panel of blinkenlights.
-- Voice, Oct 18 2012


Shirley what is needed is a Coffman starter? And why use fake sound effects when you can have the real thing? Just use the starter cartridge to drive a piston that presses the "On" switch.

Actually, I would really like to see a Coffman starter system for cars, like they used to have for many large vehicles. It would give me a little glow of happiness if I could walk out of Waitrose, load my shopping into the boot, whip out a belt of cartridges, drop one into a little breech block and whack it with a finely-crafted hammer.
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Oct 20 2012


They have a very good fire engine museum in San Diego with an old steam powered fire engine which was started by setting off an explosive charge in the firebox.
-- hippo, Oct 20 2012


I have both a Coffman starter and a derelict Honda Shadow in my garage, and now I have an idea that will likely result in a fresh spousal mandate...

If only I can somehow work an Apple IIc into the mix...
-- Alterother, Oct 20 2012


<wonders if you could get one of those little Honda generators into an iMac G3 after replacing the CRT with an LCD>
-- FlyingToaster, Oct 21 2012


"Little Generator Set" ?

<link>
-- 8th of 7, Oct 21 2012


Presumably, a model aircraft engine could be coupled to a small dynarator to give a hundred or two watts.
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Oct 21 2012


Does it come with an old fashioned crank?
-- pashute, Oct 21 2012


I don't know - I think [Vernon]'s pretty busy.
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Oct 21 2012


// an old fashioned crank //

Yes. [The Alterother].

// hundred or two watts //

Err, no. Model aero engines are usually in the 3 to 5 cc range - a 300w generator generally has a 35 to 50 cc powerplant. Given that small units are (maybe) 35 - 40% efficient (small devices exhibit poor efficiency), the engine needs to put out about 1 kW. The classic Honda E300 has a capacity of a bit over 50cc.

A 35cc chainsaw engine delivers about half a kilowatt of useable mechanical power at the output shaft.

A 5cc model aero engine, given installation losses (quite a bit of which will be the forced-draught air cooling) might under ideal circumstances be able to produce 20W of electrical power; enough to run a notebook computer.
-- 8th of 7, Oct 21 2012



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