Product Spec. for outdoor GPS sensor cover

Comments

• stamptrol Posts: 1,731

  2010-05-26 14:18 edited 2010-05-26 14:18

  For small quantities, you'll probably have to be content with something off the shelf. Have a look at PVC electrical boxes. Easy to work with, seal very tight and are inexpensive. You can use a standard octagon box (about 4" across and 2" high) or go with a 4" x 4" or larger size. See your local electrical part distributor.
  
  Probably too far into the project, but Garmin makes a complete GPS unit in a round package (3" diameter x 0.75" thick) for less than $100 that is totally encapsulated and made for outdoor installation. One small cable powers the unit (12 volts) and brings the NMEA serial data out.
  
  Cheers,
  
  ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
  Tom Sisk
  
  http://www.siskconsult.com
  ·
• mctrivia Posts: 3,772

  2010-05-26 14:48 edited 2010-05-26 14:48

  My CNC is currently broken but if you are not in a hurry I can make a ABS enclosure like that in about 2 weeks after I fix it. ABS is very strong and UV resistant but I can't provide any waranties because I have not had time or a place to run weather testing.
  
  If you want something guaranteed your best bet would be and electrical wholesaler or home hardware. if you show up in coveralls the wholesalers never ask questions(well i had to show my license once).
  
  ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
  Lots of propeller based products in stock at affordable prices.
• W9GFO Posts: 4,010

  2010-05-26 17:35 edited 2010-05-26 17:35

  Sounds like a perfect application for thermoforming. Sign shops typically have thermo forming machines. If you can make a wooden plug they should be able to make the domes for you. If not, it is not difficult to do at home. All you need is a wooden box, a vacuum, a metal frame and your oven. ABS is easy and forgiving to work with, polycarbonate (Lexan) is much stronger and durable but easier to mess up. Stay away from acrylic (Plexiglass), it cracks too easily.
  
  Rich H
  
  ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
  The Simple Servo Tester, a kit from Gadget Gangster.
• kf4ixm Posts: 529

  2010-05-26 20:11 edited 2010-05-26 20:11

  Thanks all for the input!
  @stamptrol
  i had thought about a 3rd party gps early on, but it goes against my number one priority for this, to use all Parallax products in the design as this will be propeller powered and a parallax gps module.
  
  @mctrivia
  I am going to be putting together either an autocad or google sketchup of my design tonight or within the next few days. i already have rough pen sketches on paper, but would rather get it in electronic form to show you exactly what im looking for first. I plan on the dome to be 3/8" thick all the way around, including outside flange. Outside finished dimentions of 6 3/4" x 6 3/4", with a one inch flange on outer bottom, making the total flange outside dimention of 8 3/4". this should give me an inside diameter of 6" wide x 6" tall at the tallest point of the dome. 1/4" thick gussets from outer edge of flange up 45 deg. to the dome, 6 of them spaced at 60 degree centers and 6 3/8" mounting holes between gussets also spaced at 60 degree intravals. [noparse]:)[/noparse] like i said, i'll get a drawing together soon!
  
  @W9GFO
  i have looked into some thermoplastic fabrication companies on the web today, some offer prototyping and small quantity runs.
  
  I have about (about) decided ABS (something white or light cream color) is the way to go with this for weather resistance and uv durability. i have even kicked around the idea of carbonfiber, but i haven't researched much about how feasable this would be compared to abs. As stated above, everything in this rtu will be from parallax, except for the dome and ip67 box (probably a hoffman)·for the electronics and mounting hardware. I even plan on plastering a big "powered by Propeller" sticker on the front of it! [noparse]:D[/noparse]
  
  Thanks for all the input, and if anyone else has any input, im all ears!
  
  Post Edited (kf4ixm) : 5/26/2010 8:16:01 PM GMT
• mctrivia Posts: 3,772

  2010-05-26 20:15 edited 2010-05-26 20:15

  kf4ixm that is unfortunetly bigger then i can make. I plan to build a bigger cnc some day but money and space is tight.
  
  ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
  Lots of propeller based products in stock at affordable prices.
• kf4ixm Posts: 529

  2010-05-26 20:22 edited 2010-05-26 20:22

  @mctrivia
  Thats ok, thanks for the offer anyway!
• Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514

  2010-05-26 21:11 edited 2010-05-26 21:11

  For something that's ready-made, you might consider giving Ritchie Navigation a call. Their replacement compass domes are tough and inexpensive, and they come in a variety of sizes. The domed housings for outdoor CCTV cameras are another potential source.
  
  -Phil
• W9GFO Posts: 4,010

  2010-05-26 21:51 edited 2010-05-26 21:51

  Carbon fiber is conductive, I don't think that would work too well with GPS. You can however get ABS with a carbon fiber design printed on it, then thermo form it into a dome.
  
  Rich H
  
  ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
  The Simple Servo Tester, a kit from Gadget Gangster.
• kf4ixm Posts: 529

  2010-05-26 22:51 edited 2010-05-26 22:51

  Ok, i was wondering about carbon fiber being conductive W9GFO, thanks for confiming that for me. i was just thinking about it for strength reasons only. i believe abs will be the way to go. Thanks!