At what what kind of waterproof case, container type deal can I get. I'm building an electronic gate with an RFID sensor. So I need some sort of container to mount the Arduino and other components into that would be able to withstand the weather. I'm not sure if this was the right topic to Post in. Not sure what keywords I would search to find the type of thing I'm looking for or if it's something that I'm going to have to build myself. Thank you very much for the help
You'll find a bunch here in a variety of sizes:
Unfortunately, a lot of these sellers are surely lying when they call their products "waterproof". I very much doubt the ones like this are at all waterproof:
Sure, anything could be made waterproof with enough glue, but then you'll have a fun time ever trying to open the thing back up.
There are some really nice ones that are well made and with a good quality seal:
Otter makes some nice sport boxes
Also call your local electrical supply house that sells industrial stuff - most of them will sell to walk-in customers - they will have some enclosures designed for serious bad conditions
you can also put a splash shield out of waterproof heavy fabric as extra protection
Don't try to make it all watertight. Air will leak into it and humidity will condensate building up a pool inside. Provide for drainage in the bottom.
the search term is enclosure.
you will find lots and lots of boxes to suit your every need.
a simple and small, gasteketed enclosure as show in the post by Pert are under $5
larger get more expensive.
Here in the States, we can go to a hardware store and buy an outdoor, waterproof box for electrical devices that are the size of a gallon of milk.
as saildude mentioned, Otter and Pelican are high profile retail suppliers. the offer boxes that will hold your largest suitcase.
Industrailly, here in the US, HOFFMAN and Weigman make boxes that are larger, 18 " x 16" x 8" deep with hinge covers and either screw covers or clamps. but we are talking hundreds of dollars. the range of sizes is what you would expect for commercial construction. metal, poly, fiberglass. whatever.
=========== GLANDS
the glands you want - google gland and you will get lots of hits, PG7 is the smallest that is commonly available in a pass-through. this means your wire goes through the hole and the gland seals around it.
google sp13 connector and you will find another connector. these are mating connectors. solder inside and also outside, gasket for the connector, but it allows you to have removable cables.
all that said...
outside work is usually just covered by a box it is called rain proof. critters and wind move freely into the bits. not good for electronics, but it is how gate motors are 'protected'
the next level of protection is against hose directed water. IP68
"Devices backed by an international standard rating of IP68 are deemed fit enough to withstand dust, dirt and sand, and are resistant to submersion up to a maximum depth of 1.5m underwater for up to thirty minutes."
all that said, the box in post #1 is available in see through cover or solid, with gasket, and screws and has small pads for your PCB. cost is on the low end of the scale.
and if you are just starting out, get a jar out of the fridge, wash it out and cut the lid so that rain will run out, not collect.
seal the wire with hot glue or some such. once you prove your work and want to tidy it up, get the enclosure that fits your needs.
hello. thanks for the help.
it looks like the sp13 is the connector id want. with a glands connector i would have to run all my wires in it and fill it full of hot glue. I might do that, not sure, the sp13 connectors are pricey.
lol, this thread comes up on a google search when i force sp13 to be in the results.
i guess not too bad
birddseedd:
sp13 connector i guess not too bad
how many wires do you need ?
weather proof is as easy as putting a coffee can over the works and feeding wires up. keeps the rain and snow out.
also, these will require one large cable, or a lot of weatherproof splices.
The small glands can tighten up on a CAT-5 cable. so, 8 conductor, cheap wire. does not cost too much when running one wire to one switch.
PG7, 10pices for $1.54 USD
dave-in-nj:
how many wires do you need ?
weather proof is as easy as putting a coffee can over the works and feeding wires up. keeps the rain and snow out.
also, these will require one large cable, or a lot of weatherproof splices.
The small glands can tighten up on a CAT-5 cable. so, 8 conductor, cheap wire. does not cost too much when running one wire to one switch.
PG7, 10pices for $1.54 USD
i'm still trying to figure that one out. I'm thinking 15 plus power for arduino and ethernet sheld. I have another thread going to figure out if i can use an ethernet shield. I also think i may be using the wrong pin. my code says pin 9 for reset, but that's not connected to anything, while pin 5 is reset in the diagram. ill probably start a thread for that question specifically.
5 (for rfid reset pin, i may have a conflict here)and(sd card on ethernet sheld)
6 (SS pin for 2nd rfid card reader)
7 (reset pin for 2nd card reader)
9 (my code says this is the reset pin, but im not using it, so i'm confused)
10(ss pin for card reader 1, I will need to change this to use the shield) and (SS pin for ethernet shield)
11(card reader)and(ethernet shield)
12(card reader)and(ethernet shield)
13(card reader)and(ethernet shield)
8(relay signal)
3(relay signal)
2(signal from gate sensors)
4(led)
A0(led)
dave-in-nj:
how many wires do you need ?
weather proof is as easy as putting a coffee can over the works and feeding wires up. keeps the rain and snow out.
also, these will require one large cable, or a lot of weatherproof splices.
The small glands can tighten up on a CAT-5 cable. so, 8 conductor, cheap wire. does not cost too much when running one wire to one switch.
PG7, 10pices for $1.54 USD
Oh. About 5 or 6 more for relays
Choose the correct glands that compress around the type & size of cables you select.
Not usually a good idea to put multiple cables through a single gland - as they may not be completely sealed where the diameter of each cable meets.
(aka bugs inside your enclosure)
lastchancename:
Choose the correct glands that compress around the type & size of cables you select.
Not usually a good idea to put multiple cables through a single gland - as they may not be completely sealed where the diameter of each cable meets.
(aka bugs inside your enclosure)
Well. They will solder on. So the enclosure will be sealed still. Supoose that would allow moisture to get to solder joints. But i may be able to find a 20 wire cable
If you're going for the MIL-type connector rather than glands - great - I've used those previously - perfect, but same caution applies where cables enter the connectpor shroud.
Cheers
hey. I have another question. Say if I want to have an led, how do i have the led showing without compromising the water tight integrity?
thanks
birddseedd:
hey. I have another question. Say if I want to have an led, how do i have the led showing without compromising the water tight integrity?thanks
usually only a few bux.
comes in different sizes.
dave-in-nj:
Clear Cover Enclosuresusually only a few bux.
comes in different sizes.
I didn't think about clear
having trouble deciding on a case. everything on amazon seems generic.
I know some plastic boxes with a transparent top using and anti water/dust "thing" between them. IP class is unknown now. I use them for Arduino stuff exposed to dust but they are surely good regarding resisting water. On demand I can ask for more info. I buy them in Sweden but they are imported, I'm sure.