Enclosures

Enclosures

It is common to mount the various circuit boards and controllers in plastic enclosures to protect them from exposure to the environment and things like rain, snow and insects. While most of the enclosures folks use are not truly "Waterproof" they are "Weatherproof". The following enclosures manage to keep the boards reasonably well protected. While some people go to various lengths to cover the enclosures by plastic bags or use rope caulk to make a better seal on the covers, most folks do not. These enclosures are originally designed for use in the telecommunications and the cable tv industry for mounting various equipment outside.

There also many other alternative ways to mount your circuit boards in other types of enclosures.

Disclaimers

The standard disclaimers pertaining to the information contained on this wiki page are listed here.
THIS PAGE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND HAS NOT BEEN CHECKED FOR ERRORS!!!

Popular Enclosures

Exterior Dimensions

Enclosure	Height	Width	Depth
TA-200	3.13” (7.95cm)	3.63” (9.22cm)	2.5” (6.35cm)
CG-500	6.5" (16.5cm)	8.0" (20.3cm)	2.75" (7.0cm)
CG-1000	9.00" (22.80cm)	9.00" (22.80cm)	3.00" (7.60cm)
CG-1500	12.25" (31.10cm)	12" (30.50cm)	5.25" (13.30cm)
CG-2000	13.0" (33.00cm)	9.0" (22.80cm)	3.0" (7.60cm)

TA-200 (Terminal Access TA-200 Terminal Enclosure)

Common usage: SSRez ACSSR, SSRNeon ACSSR, DCSSR Version 2.4
External Dimensions (HxWxD): 3.13” x 3.63” x 2.5” (7.95cm x 9.22cm x 6.35cm)
Internal Dimensions:
Datasheet
Internal Drawing

CG-500 (CableGuard 500 Coax Demarcation Enclosure)

Common usage: Simple Renard 32 Combo, Simple Renard 32 RGB+W DC Controller, RPM E1.31 To DMX Bridge
External Dimensions (HxWxD): 6.5" x 8.0" x 2.75" (16.5cm x 20.3cm x 7.0cm)
Internal Dimensions:
Datasheet
Internal Drawing

CG-1000 (CableGuard 1000 Coax Demarcation Enclosure

Common usage: Renard SS8 AC Controller, Renard SS16 AC Controller, Ren24HC AC Controller, Renard 48LSD DC Controller, Ren64 Controller
External Dimensions (HxWxD): 9.00" x 9.00" x 3.00" (22.80cm x 22.80cm x 7.60cm)
Internal Dimensions:
Datasheet
Internal Drawing

CG-1500 (CableGuard 1500 Coax Demarcation Enclosure)

Common usage: Similar to CG-1000, but box is larger. E680, E681, E682 Pixel Controllers, Various Power Supplies
External Dimensions (HxWxD): 12.25" x 12" x 5.25" (31.10cm x 30.50cm x 13.30cm)
Internal Dimensions:
Datasheet
Internal Drawing

CG-2000 (CableGuard 2000 Coax Demarcation Enclosure)

Common usage: Renard SS 24
External Dimensions (HxWxD): 13.0" x 9.0" x 3.0" (33.00cm x 22.80cm x 7.60cm)
Internal Dimensions:
Datasheet
Internal Drawing

Mounting Options

Mounting Threads

Mounting Enclosures Thread
Mounting Options Thread
More Mounting Options

Vendors

The following vendors stock the enclosures listed above. They are also active participants of the DIYC community and can frequently be found in the Chat Room on the DIYC site.
DIY LED Express is run by user tjetzer (Todd)
WLC Venturesis run by user g2ktcf (Chris)

Other Information

Many of the boards and controllers are designed to mount in specific enclosure and have their holes partially or completely align with the built in standoff in the enclosures.

It is also necessary or desirable to sometimes mount the board in different positions where the holes in the pcb does not align with the standoffs in the enclosure. It is common to use Nylon standoffs or small sections of plastic tubing to keep the boards away from the back of the enclosure. Frequently these standoffs are attached to the enclosure using adhesives like E6000, Epoxy or hot glue. Scuffing the smooth plastic enclosure before applying the adhesive will assist their holding power. It is also common to drill right thru the back of the enclosure to have screws provide standoffs. A small gasket or a dab of glue can also seal the holes from the weather.

FAQ

TBD

Alternate Enclosures

Alternate Enclosure Wiki
SS24 in 5" Fence Post
Dripbox 330 Outdoor Waterproof/Weatherproof Box- Black
Orbit Outdoor Timer Box
Plastic Food Containers
Ammo Can
PVC Pipe
Mission Control!

Threads

Photos of Boards Mounted in enclosures
Painting Enclosures
Adding Vents
Sealing to prevent Leakage
Rope Caulk
Heater in an Enclosure for cold weather
Bags over enclosures to keep dry