Non-metalic NEMA box--Observatory

W. eWatson

unread,

Sep 24, 2012, 3:17:42 PM9/24/12

to

My observatory story continues. I've been getting some tips from a guy
in Hawaii about how to proceed over the last 4 months. I finally decided
to hire him to build some of the components in HI. He will then ship
them to me, and I will do the installation, perhaps with an aid of a
licensed electrician.

Right now I'm buy the parts that he will need. He needs two NEMA
non-metallic boxes that are about 2'x2'x8". Ideally, it would be good if
I could find a place in HI that carries them. That we reduce shipment
there. This morning I've called Grainger, ZORO, Graybar, and some
suppliers in HI. Haven't tried Platt.

So far the biggest box anyone can come up with is 18"x12"x8.7". Some
ofthese boxes are selling at around $1000. Strangely, ZORO's is around
$200-250. I guess my inexperience is at play here. I need to call the
fellow to get some better details what he's after, and why that 2'x2'x8"
request seems out of the cards.

Anyway, I'm just throwing this msg out to the group for comments. $1000!???

Strangely, when I decided to hire the guy, I found two more people like
him that do observatory work. I'm sticking with HI though. They all do
high quality work.

Tom Biasi

unread,

Sep 24, 2012, 3:41:33 PM9/24/12

to

That is a strange size. The cost not only depends on the size but the
NEMA class. Ask him what class he needs and to explain that size.

Automation Direct has a good supply of enclosures.

Tom

Peter Bennett

unread,

Sep 24, 2012, 9:14:22 PM9/24/12

to

Hammond makes a wide selection of NEMA boxes:
http://www.hammfg.com/electrical

Why not ask him to get the boxes? He knows what sizes he can work
with, and what suppliers are available there.

--
Peter Bennett, VE7CEI
peterbb (at) telus.net
GPS and NMEA info: http://vancouver-webpages.com/peter
Vancouver Power Squadron: http://vancouver.powersquadron.ca

John Larkin

unread,

Sep 24, 2012, 10:28:50 PM9/24/12

to

On Mon, 24 Sep 2012 12:17:42 -0700, "W. eWatson"
<wolft...@invalid.com> wrote:

Tried Hoffman?

--

John Larkin Highland Technology Inc
www.highlandtechnology.com jlarkin at highlandtechnology dot com

Precision electronic instrumentation
Picosecond-resolution Digital Delay and Pulse generators
Custom timing and laser controllers
Photonics and fiberoptic TTL data links
VME analog, thermocouple, LVDT, synchro, tachometer
Multichannel arbitrary waveform generators

W. eWatson

unread,

Sep 25, 2012, 12:15:40 AM9/25/12

to

On 9/24/2012 7:28 PM, John Larkin wrote:
> On Mon, 24 Sep 2012 12:17:42 -0700, "W. eWatson"
> <wolft...@invalid.com> wrote:
>
>> My observatory story continues. I've been getting some tips from a guy
>> in Hawaii about how to proceed over the last 4 months. I finally decided
>> to hire him to build some of the components in HI. He will then ship
>> them to me, and I will do the installation, perhaps with an aid of a
>> licensed electrician.
>>
>> Right now I'm buy the parts that he will need. He needs two NEMA
>> non-metallic boxes that are about 2'x2'x8". Ideally, it would be good if
>> I could find a place in HI that carries them. That we reduce shipment
>> there. This morning I've called Grainger, ZORO, Graybar, and some
>> suppliers in HI. Haven't tried Platt.
>>
>> So far the biggest box anyone can come up with is 18"x12"x8.7". Some
>> ofthese boxes are selling at around $1000. Strangely, ZORO's is around
>> $200-250. I guess my inexperience is at play here. I need to call the
>> fellow to get some better details what he's after, and why that 2'x2'x8"
>> request seems out of the cards.
>>
>> Anyway, I'm just throwing this msg out to the group for comments. $1000!???
>>
>> Strangely, when I decided to hire the guy, I found two more people like
>> him that do observatory work. I'm sticking with HI though. They all do
>> high quality work.
>
> Tried Hoffman?
>
>

For boxes? Never heard of them.

W. eWatson

unread,

Sep 25, 2012, 12:20:30 AM9/25/12

to

...

>> high quality work.
>
> Hammond makes a wide selection of NEMA boxes:
> http://www.hammfg.com/electrical
>
> Why not ask him to get the boxes? He knows what sizes he can work
> with, and what suppliers are available there.
>

Presumably I will save money--mainland vs HI, shipping and maybe
generally higher prices there. Possibly cut down on his time searching
for them. I actually I called four suppliers on Hawaii this morning, and
none had any size close to it. I found ZORO has 18"x18"x9". I just sent
him a msg about that. Maybe 3 boxes 18"-ers !!!

John G

unread,

Sep 25, 2012, 1:50:00 AM9/25/12

to

After serious thinking W. eWatson wrote :

No wonder you ask a lot of questions ;-)

http://www.hoffmanonline.com/product_catalog/section_index.aspx?cat_1=34&cat_2=159992&SelectCatID=159992&CatId=159992

Or if thats too long Google Google Google Hoffman Boxes

--
John G

Jasen Betts

unread,

Sep 25, 2012, 5:55:52 AM9/25/12

to

On 2012-09-24, W. eWatson <wolft...@invalid.com> wrote:

> Right now I'm buy the parts that he will need. He needs two NEMA
> non-metallic boxes that are about 2'x2'x8". Ideally, it would be good if
> I could find a place in HI that carries them.

"NEMA" is kind of meaningless on its own like that.

how non-metallic does it need to be?

Is an ABS box with stainless fasteners even acceptable?

Will a 12U 19" rack cabinet a glass front (metal sides and open back) work?

--
⚂⚃ 100% natural

--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: ne...@netfront.net ---

Michael A. Terrell

unread,

Sep 25, 2012, 1:48:37 PM9/25/12

to

Jasen Betts wrote:
>
> On 2012-09-24, W. eWatson <wolft...@invalid.com> wrote:
>
> > Right now I'm buy the parts that he will need. He needs two NEMA
> > non-metallic boxes that are about 2'x2'x8". Ideally, it would be good if
> > I could find a place in HI that carries them.
>
> "NEMA" is kind of meaningless on its own like that.

How is "National Electrical Manufacturers Association" meaningless?

Cydrome Leader

unread,

Sep 26, 2012, 2:28:24 PM9/26/12

to

a NEMA enclosure has no meaning by itself. NEMA has more than one
specification for one box, if you weren't aware.

Michael A. Terrell

unread,

Sep 26, 2012, 3:26:50 PM9/26/12

to

You're kidding!

What an idiot. His description was adaqute for anyone who has done
industrial electrical work. I always needed steel boxes because of RF.
They are quite common at AM radio stations for the antenna tuner
cabinets, and tower light controls. I still have a few used ones,
somewhere in the shop.

W. eWatson

unread,

Sep 28, 2012, 11:57:09 PM9/28/12

to

On 9/25/2012 2:55 AM, Jasen Betts wrote:
> On 2012-09-24, W. eWatson <wolft...@invalid.com> wrote:
>
>> Right now I'm buy the parts that he will need. He needs two NEMA
>> non-metallic boxes that are about 2'x2'x8". Ideally, it would be good if
>> I could find a place in HI that carries them.
>
> "NEMA" is kind of meaningless on its own like that.
>
> how non-metallic does it need to be?
>
> Is an ABS box with stainless fasteners even acceptable?
>
> Will a 12U 19" rack cabinet a glass front (metal sides and open back) work?
>
>

He wants a NEMA non-metallic, and would prefer a "window". If not a
window then a door with latches.

W. eWatson

unread,

Sep 28, 2012, 11:58:50 PM9/28/12

to

I discovered via Wikipedia that there are about 11 types of NEMA boxes.
I think type 1 is sufficient.

W. eWatson

unread,

Sep 29, 2012, 1:05:52 PM9/29/12

to

Thanks. That looks worthwhile. I sent them a question about larger boxes.

W. eWatson

unread,

Sep 29, 2012, 1:07:18 PM9/29/12

to

The builder tells me he can get by with an 18x18x9, but trouble shooting
it might be a problem. In any case, the Hoffman suggestion above looks
promising.