Recommendations for electronics boxes?

[Pamela Loring]

Hello Motus,

I am working on upgrading some of our stations in coastal Massachusetts and wanted to see if folks had any recommendations for a good waterproof electronics box to house the receiver and solar system (charge controller, batteries, etc)?

In the past, I have used the following:

Contico Portable Commercial Tool Storage (link) - tends to leak around the lid and let wasps/insects in

Rubbermaid ActionPacker (link) - seems to be more waterproof/wasp proof but the "lockable latch" is tiny and easy to break open

Very much appreciate any field-tested suggestions. Thanks so much,

Pam

[Pamela Loring]

Quick follow up question - any suggestions for cable glands (to install on the electronics box) that allow for N-male connectors on LMR-400 coax cable to pass through and the gland to tighten down to a snug fit around the cable?  Thanks so much,

Pam

[Todd Alleger]

Pam,  you're looking for something like these (I think size P16 will hold the coax), which are made to have the cable sent through, then the connecter added once the cable is in the case.  We, and others, have been using bulkhead connectors that have a built in rubber washer and tighten to the case.

Todd

[Niclas Fritzén]

Hi,

Originally I used a large more or less waterproof aluminum box with everything inside, by later i used a separate case with all the receiver electronics attached to the antenna mast and another battery box (with the charge controller) on the ground, and everything shaded behind the solar panel. Attached are some pictures. The inside-pic of the box is not an SG-station, but the principle is the same.

I have used cable glands that give additional support for the cable https://www.starelec.fi/product_info.php?products_id=13810

Kind regards,

Niclas

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The Motus Wildlife Tracking System (Motus) is an international collaborative research network that uses coordinated automated radio telemetry to facilitate research and education on the ecology and conservation of migratory animals. Motus is a program of Birds Canada in partnership with collaborating researchers and organizations. Learn more at https://motus.org
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Niclas Fritzén
Näsvägen 255
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FINLAND

[Pamela Loring]

Hi folks,

Just wanted to report back that I came up with the following solution for using cable glands with pre-built cables: 

- Dimensions of pre-built cable: LMR-400 coax 10.29 mm, coax N-male connector 19.1 mm 

- Use cable gland large enough to pass coax N-male connector (e.g. 18-25 mm adjustable cable glands)

- To waterproof cable gland connection, slide a 3-in section of marine heat shrink over the coaxial cable where it passes through the cable gland. 

- Tighten cable gland to minimum size and use a heat gun to seal the heat shrink

Cheers,

Pam

[Thorsten von Eicken]

I can't give a recommendation but I just got the following box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FY224LW, which feels well made. The special feature for me is that instead of holes to feed stuff through there are slots with foam into which one can easy slide cables. The box has lips around the lid to keep water out but no full silicone/neoprene seal, so the "weatherproof" might be a bit relative. I'm in SoCal, haven't seen rain since April, so persistent driving rain isn't my #1 concern... The box I linked to is a bit small for a station with many antennas, could use two, or there's a larger 12"x12" box of the same style available.

Thorsten

[Matt Webb]

Pam and others,

Another option for a cable gland that can be installed on pre-built coax cables is here: https://www.amazon.com/SEAVIEW-Retrofit-Diameter-Plastic-CG20P-G2/dp/B077PQ4FGG/.  You can find more options and purchasing locations by googling "retrofit cable glands".

Best of luck!

Matt

Matthew M Webb

Avian Ecologist and Motus WTS Coordinator, Full Annual Cycle Monitoring Program

Bird Conservancy of the Rockies

Motus project #281

970.482.1707 x36 (office)

970.405.7155 (mobile - use this number!)

www.birdconservancy.org

Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter

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The Motus Wildlife Tracking System (Motus) is an international collaborative research network that uses coordinated automated radio telemetry to facilitate research and education on the ecology and conservation of migratory animals. Motus is a program of Birds Canada in partnership with collaborating researchers and organizations. Learn more at https://motus.org
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[David La Puma]

All:

We sell two cases for SensorStations, one similar to the one Thorsten linked to. We call those the “slim” cases and they are weatherproof, but not waterproof. I’ve used that case for over two years at our Meadows banding station ~0.5miles from the beach and it has worked great and the station is totally clean inside and no sign of any corrosion. The benefit, as Thorsten noted, is the convenience of the multiple input holes which require no drilling. For our SensorStations, they need to be mounted sideways in that case to fit- which just means turning your head to read the LCD screen. Alternatively the Waterproof case allows for upright mounting, is deep enough to accommodate multiple funcubes plugged directly into the board (no need for additional adapters) and has a waterproof seals on the door as well as each bulkhead. The tradeoff is that you need to know how many bulkheads you need ahead of time if you want to avoid drilling them out yourself (not the end of the world). Anyway, both cases can be found online at other retailers for those who like to DIY - we offer them as a convenience to our customers. 

Feel free to DM me if you have any questions.

Cheers,

David

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David A. La Puma, PhD (He/Him) • Director, Global Market Development celltracktech.com • (609) 889-0305 x104 • Book​​​ Time With Me

“Never interrupt someone doing what you said couldn’t be done.” - Amelia Earhart    

--
The Motus Wildlife Tracking System (Motus) is an international collaborative research network that uses coordinated automated radio telemetry to facilitate research and education on the ecology and conservation of migratory animals. Motus is a program of Birds Canada in partnership with collaborating researchers and organizations. Learn more at https://motus.org
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[Cory Holliday]

Hello all,

I thought I would chime in with my housing experiences.  I have used both of the previously mentioned housing options as well as a 1400 pelican case in one station where I wanted additional waterproof security.  Cable glands and bulkhead adapters are cheap and easy to use/install on a Pelican Case or the larger case available from CTT.  Be sure to clean your holes well after drilling to remove any burrs or plastic "flash".  I like to add a little barge cement for extra protection during assembly.  The "slim" cases are very convenient and in our experience have held up well to normal weather in Tennessee.  If using the "slim" case, just be certain that it is mounted properly and that you have drip loops in your power and coax cables coming in from the bottom.  These are easy to mount to a telescoping mast using self-tapping screws.  I get screws longer than the mast diameter to ensure that I have threads in both sides of the mast.  These just require a light tap to locate the screw position on the mast surface to keep them where you want them as you begin your hole.

Best wishes,

Cory

Cory Holliday

Cave and Karst Program Manager

The Tennessee Chapter of The Nature Conservancy

750 Big Branch Rd., Granville, TN 38564

615-504-7427 Mobile

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From: motu...@googlegroups.com <motu...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of David La Puma <david....@celltracktech.com>
Sent: Friday, October 22, 2021 12:12 PM
To: Motus Wildlife Tracking System <motu...@googlegroups.com>; Thorsten von Eicken <tvone...@gmail.com>
Cc: sa...@celltracktech.com <sa...@celltracktech.com>
Subject: Re: [motus-wts] Re: Recommendations for electronics boxes?

 

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