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  1. Home
  2. Enclosures / 3D Printing
  3. Project boxes for MySensor's nodes and gateway?

Project boxes for MySensor's nodes and gateway?

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Enclosures / 3D Printing
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  • NeverDieN NeverDie

    Starting a separate thread here to continue the discussion started there: http://forum.mysensors.org/topic/1731/best-platform-currently-for-running-rfm69hw/37

    It's a chicken-and-egg problem. I can't pick a project box out of thin air, because I need to know the PCB dimensions and whether it will fit well inside the project box. Yet, ideally, an easily available and inexpensive project box would be known in advance, and the PCB could be optimized to fit within it.

    Anyone thought ahead to the end game and maybe already has an answer?

    As a starting point, on Ebay, perhaps some might be:
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hot-DIY-Electronics-Plastic-Project-Box-Enclosure-Case-Waterproof-IP66-/321487958642?hash=item4ada2cf272
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/85x58x33mm-Waterproof-Cover-Clear-Plastic-Electronic-Project-Box-Enclosure-CASE-/281390875149?hash=item418434020d

    In the above, I happened to search for something waterproof, so it can be used indoors and outdoors and therefore have maximum applicability. Feel free to disagree with that presumption if you wish.

    Depending on how it's powered, even smaller might be even better. If you assume it's battery powered, it would probably cover the scenario where it isn't.

    SparkmanS Offline
    SparkmanS Offline
    Sparkman
    Hero Member
    wrote on last edited by Sparkman
    #2

    @NeverDie I use an assortment of cases and still looking for others for some sensors I have built. To be honest, I think that finding the right case is the hardest part of the MySensors system :D

    For my gateway, I used this box: http://imall.itead.cc/project-case-white-and-black-110-80-25mm.html. It's a tight squeeze with the Uno and NRF24L01+ PA/LNA along with a small proto board to mount the LEDs. A smaller Arduino would fit better, but I used an Uno clone to ensure enough power for the PA/LNA module. I had to remove the Uno headers in order for it to fit as the headers were interfering with the circuit board for the LEDs. I'll open it up and take some pics.

    I've been looking at these cases for indoor battery powered sensors. They are a good price, but are only in inventory in the UK, so shipping is $25 for any quantity, so I'll have to do a large enough order to minimize the shipping cost per unit.

    Cheers
    Al

    MySensors Gateway Outside.png
    MySensors Gateway Inside.png
    MySensors Gateway LEDs.png

    1 Reply Last reply
    3
    • C Offline
      C Offline
      chickey
      wrote on last edited by chickey
      #3

      I stumbled on a youtube video where he used a project box with a pcb designed for the box which i thought could be pretty handy

      http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ABS-Project-Box-Cases-Lids-Matrix-Boards-5pk-300651-/121366415075?hash=item1c420086e3

      Anyone tried these?

      Edit: This was the youtube vid https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=e1y4IG6YSoc&list=WL&index=16

      Oh and does anyone know a source for the box shown above in the UK or someone that ships to the UK for reasonable costs. i looked on ebay but couldn't see any.

      NeverDieN 1 Reply Last reply
      0
      • C chickey

        I stumbled on a youtube video where he used a project box with a pcb designed for the box which i thought could be pretty handy

        http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ABS-Project-Box-Cases-Lids-Matrix-Boards-5pk-300651-/121366415075?hash=item1c420086e3

        Anyone tried these?

        Edit: This was the youtube vid https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=e1y4IG6YSoc&list=WL&index=16

        Oh and does anyone know a source for the box shown above in the UK or someone that ships to the UK for reasonable costs. i looked on ebay but couldn't see any.

        NeverDieN Offline
        NeverDieN Offline
        NeverDie
        Hero Member
        wrote on last edited by
        #4

        @chickey said:

        I stumbled on a youtube video where he used a project box with a pcb designed for the box which i thought could be pretty handy

        http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ABS-Project-Box-Cases-Lids-Matrix-Boards-5pk-300651-/121366415075?hash=item1c420086e3

        Anyone tried these?

        Edit: This was the youtube vid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1y4IG6YSoc&list=WL&index=16

        Oh and does anyone know a source for the box shown above in the UK or someone that ships to the UK for reasonable costs. i looked on ebay but couldn't see any.

        The video doesn't play. It keeps saying: "An error occurred. Please try again later."

        C 1 Reply Last reply
        0
        • L Offline
          L Offline
          LastSamurai
          Hardware Contributor
          wrote on last edited by
          #5

          Waho that box looks great ("router style"). Does anyone know a source thats available form germany? (also ebay/aliexpress).

          The video isn't working for me either.

          C 1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • NeverDieN NeverDie

            @chickey said:

            I stumbled on a youtube video where he used a project box with a pcb designed for the box which i thought could be pretty handy

            http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ABS-Project-Box-Cases-Lids-Matrix-Boards-5pk-300651-/121366415075?hash=item1c420086e3

            Anyone tried these?

            Edit: This was the youtube vid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1y4IG6YSoc&list=WL&index=16

            Oh and does anyone know a source for the box shown above in the UK or someone that ships to the UK for reasonable costs. i looked on ebay but couldn't see any.

            The video doesn't play. It keeps saying: "An error occurred. Please try again later."

            C Offline
            C Offline
            chickey
            wrote on last edited by
            #6

            @NeverDie For some reason it keeps auto converting the link but as you pointed out it doesn't then work! I've put a space in so you can see the url, you'll need to copy and paste but then remove the space. If anyone knows why it won't work when linked normally i'd love to know :-)

            1 Reply Last reply
            0
            • TD22057T Offline
              TD22057T Offline
              TD22057
              Hardware Contributor
              wrote on last edited by
              #7

              I ordered one of these boxes a few weeks ago (hasn't arrived yet). My requirements:

              1. looks nice - will be mounted where it's visible.
              2. reasonably deep - I'm planning on using external mini xlr connectors for things which require a 12 mm hole.
              3. side wall on either the top or the bottom piece (see 2) - if it's split in 1/2 some boxes, it's harder to mount connectors.
              4. big enough for a custom PCB with 4-5 JST style connectors

              The box I ordered is a reasonable match. The thing I don't like about it is that the top of the box is the deep part (the back part is thin - like a lid). I'd like to mount a PCB into the box, then mount external connectors into the box sides, then wire the connectors to the PCB. In the box I ordered, the PCB would be on the top (outside) of the box. That makes it a lot harder/impossible to add switches, LED's, or a display to the front of the box. It's not a deal breaker, but if I could find a box that was like the one I ordered but where the top and bottom thickness dimensions were reversed, that would be nice.

              I was really hoping I could find a single box that worked everywhere (including outside) so I could design a single PCB (or a few variations) for the various projects I want to build. So far that's looking unlikely...

              1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • K Offline
                K Offline
                kalle
                wrote on last edited by
                #8

                @LastSamurai

                http://www.ebay.de/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2057872.m570.l1313.TR2.TRC1.A0.H0.Xkemo+gehäuse.TRS0&_nkw=kemo+gehäuse&_sacat=0

                1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • L LastSamurai

                  Waho that box looks great ("router style"). Does anyone know a source thats available form germany? (also ebay/aliexpress).

                  The video isn't working for me either.

                  C Offline
                  C Offline
                  chickey
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #9

                  @LastSamurai http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/215-Router-Shell-Network-Communication-Plastic-Project-Case-Box-160x100x30mm-/171579990253?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368

                  1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • L Offline
                    L Offline
                    LastSamurai
                    Hardware Contributor
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #10

                    @chickey said:

                    https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=e1y4IG6YSoc&list=WL&index=16

                    Thanks :)

                    The youtube link still doen't work for me though. I am just getting the youtube landing page

                    C 1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • L LastSamurai

                      @chickey said:

                      https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=e1y4IG6YSoc&list=WL&index=16

                      Thanks :)

                      The youtube link still doen't work for me though. I am just getting the youtube landing page

                      C Offline
                      C Offline
                      chickey
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #11

                      @LastSamurai you need to paste in the test after the link onto the end of the url. Else search for "Scullcom Hobby Electronics #14 - GPS System with Arduino Mini & OLED Display" in youtube.

                      1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • M Offline
                        M Offline
                        mvdarend
                        wrote on last edited by mvdarend
                        #12

                        The Custom Enclosure Factory on AliExpress has some nice cases.

                        And for a ghetto option, I've got a few old Mentos chewing gum containers around the place :) (This one is stuck to the side of the Central heating unit with magnets. WIN_20150919_11_00_45_Pro.jpg

                        1 Reply Last reply
                        4
                        • A Offline
                          A Offline
                          ahhk
                          Hardware Contributor
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #13

                          i will make my own cases for my 25x50 boards with 2xAA....see => http://forum.mysensors.org/topic/1901/my-own-board-50mm-x-24mm/18

                          1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • D Offline
                            D Offline
                            Dheeraj
                            Plugin Developer
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #14

                            My compact serialGateway with nrf201 long range , power indicator LED and USB cable connected to Pi.IMG_20150922_200826.jpg

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • GertSandersG Offline
                              GertSandersG Offline
                              GertSanders
                              Hardware Contributor
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #15

                              @Dheeraj: Where did this case come from ? Was the board inside custom made or pro mini ?

                              D 1 Reply Last reply
                              1
                              • D Offline
                                D Offline
                                Dalhoj
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #16

                                This is my gateway.
                                image.jpeg

                                J 1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • epierreE Offline
                                  epierreE Offline
                                  epierre
                                  Hero Member
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #17

                                  My Gateway:
                                  IMG_20150731_171932.jpg

                                  A Gateway and a node for a friend:
                                  IMG_20150731_172704.jpg

                                  Comparison of the MysenSor and the famous RFXTRX:
                                  IMG_20150731_172213.jpg

                                  And the solar powered+LiPo water proof box:
                                  IMG_20150731_172502.jpg

                                  z-wave - Vera -> Domoticz
                                  rfx - Domoticz <- MyDomoAtHome <- Imperihome
                                  mysensors -> mysensors-gw -> Domoticz

                                  K 1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • NeverDieN Offline
                                    NeverDieN Offline
                                    NeverDie
                                    Hero Member
                                    wrote on last edited by NeverDie
                                    #18

                                    I'm starting to think I'll need a 3D printer after all.... Any recommendations on which one to get?

                                    barduinoB 1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • epierreE epierre

                                      My Gateway:
                                      IMG_20150731_171932.jpg

                                      A Gateway and a node for a friend:
                                      IMG_20150731_172704.jpg

                                      Comparison of the MysenSor and the famous RFXTRX:
                                      IMG_20150731_172213.jpg

                                      And the solar powered+LiPo water proof box:
                                      IMG_20150731_172502.jpg

                                      K Offline
                                      K Offline
                                      koen01
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #19

                                      @epierre said:

                                      My Gateway:
                                      IMG_20150731_171932.jpg

                                      A Gateway and a node for a friend:
                                      IMG_20150731_172704.jpg

                                      Comparison of the MysenSor and the famous RFXTRX:
                                      IMG_20150731_172213.jpg

                                      And the solar powered+LiPo water proof box:
                                      IMG_20150731_172502.jpg

                                      What kind of box is that? Do you have a link where i can order these?

                                      epierreE 1 Reply Last reply
                                      0
                                      • NeverDieN NeverDie

                                        I'm starting to think I'll need a 3D printer after all.... Any recommendations on which one to get?

                                        barduinoB Offline
                                        barduinoB Offline
                                        barduino
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #20

                                        @NeverDie Ihave one of these and im very happy with it

                                        rostockmaxv23dhubslogo_large.png

                                        1 Reply Last reply
                                        0
                                        • NeverDieN Offline
                                          NeverDieN Offline
                                          NeverDie
                                          Hero Member
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #21

                                          Thanks. I looked into it this morning. I guess pre-built boxes are what's best for me. A simple black box like this or similar will probably do the job:

                                          http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Waterproof-Plastic-Cover-Project-Electronic-Instrument-Case-Enclosure-Box-/252070626381?hash=item3ab094844d

                                          YveauxY 1 Reply Last reply
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