I currently have an outdoor Arduino project which uses an outdoor enclosure and a small solar panel. I currently "mount" the solar panel on top of the enclosure with velcro and I route the wires into the bottom of the enclosure via cable gland.
This setup works well; however, I wanted something a bit more integrated which doesn't necessarily expose the wires (I have to use wires with rubber sleeves to avoid too much UV exposure). I found the following example online that looks really nice (image attached). Can someone give me some ideas that would maybe hide the wires and looks "better"? It still needs to be sealed though so that water cannot get into the enclosure.
Have a look at the way the cheap solar powered garden lights are constructed. Essentially the un-framed panel is just hot glued straight onto the top of the enclosure.
If you cannot find a suitably sticky hot melt glue, then perhaps use re-entrant silicone potting compound such as the kind from Raytech.
the un-framed panel is just hot glued straight onto the top of the enclosure
Will hot glue create enough of a seal to keep water from leaking into the enclosure? I have a vent on the side for condensation and cable glands on the bottom as well. Or should I use silicone instead?
czu001:
Will hot glue create enough of a seal to keep water from leaking into the enclosure? I have a vent on the side for condensation and cable glands on the bottom as well. Or should I use silicone instead?
You need 'high tack' hot melt glue. That's the kind that remains sticky even when it's cooled to room temperature. You'll probably have to go shopping on-line to find high tack glue sticks and they may only be available in larger sizes designed for industrial glue guns.
The glue sticks from your local hardware or arts/crafts store are almost always 'low tack' and not suitable for this kind of application.
Re-entrant silicone potting compound will work, but it's likely to be a more messy process as you are working with a two part liquid mix that only turns to a gel after about 30 minutes. Perhaps seal the panel edges with masking tape, invert the box and pour in via the hole made for the wires. Wait for it to set, remove the masking tape and gently remove the excess.
