Let's see your controller box

[humbledore]

OK everyone I have been looking at boxes for my 10kW SCR controller which is currently sitting in a metal outlet box. Yes it hangs out the top and is not covered and has no room for a fan, I just lay one on top. I have been searching for this for a while, I will randomly run across people talking about their controller case. I am hoping to pick up some ideas. So let's hear about 'em!
HD

[S-Cackalacky]

I use the same controller. My box is a grey plastic junction box from Lowe's - found on the electrical isle. The size is 6X6X4 inches. It has a 6X6 inch square lid with screws on the four corners. My fan is attached to the CPU heatsink I used to replace the original heatsink. This box should give you plenty of room to install a fan. Just drill a pattern of holes in the position where you attach the fan to the box and some holes on one other side to vent the air. If possible, you want to position the fan so that it blows directly onto the heatsink. It should all fit in the box nicely.

It's nothing fancy - just the controller w/fan and the wiring to power it.

S-C

[bellybuster]

My box is an alarm box, quite a bit bigger than usual but was $6 at the local reuse centre.

[humbledore]

S-C in my area they do not allow plastic junction boxes, metal and conduit are required per code so they don't even sell them. But something like this could work (not cheap for a plastic box):

http://www.amazon.com/Hammond-1591VSBK- ... roject+box" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

[bellybuster]

Most places now have reuse it centres, they are a great place to find stuff on the cheap. I had a choice of at least a dozen different boxes.

[humbledore]

Belly I'm not sure there's something similar here... Maybe a goodwill? Can't imagine they have metal project boxes.

[jholmz]

mine is just a cah box from a rummage sale. i run usually 10 gallons through my keg at 220v and havnt needed a fan, no overheating problems

[Soft batch]

Computer power supply box, complete with 12v transformer and fan.

[S-Cackalacky]

S-C in my area they do not allow plastic junction boxes, metal and conduit are required per code so they don't even sell them. But something like this could work (not cheap for a plastic box):

http://www.amazon.com/Hammond-1591VSBK- ... roject+box" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

I looked at Lowe's online and found this - http://www.lowes.com/pd_10029-1716-L513 ... RRWidgetID" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow . That's not exactly like mine (smaller). The one pictured is 4x4x4 and mine is 6x6x4 and cost about $12. Anyway, the one in your link may be a little too small to fit in a fan - don't know. You have some other good suggestions here. You should be able to come up with something suitable.

Good luck,
S-C

[humbledore]

mine is just a cah box from a rummage sale. i run usually 10 gallons through my keg at 220v and havnt needed a fan, no overheating problems

Ha I like that one! Looks portable, like the president's nuclear control suitcase.

[marshrunner757]

I'm about to build mine and think I'm going to use a dry box you get from sporting goods outlets.

[humbledore]

Computer power supply box, complete with 12v transformer and fan.

I would like to see that. I have access to old computer stuff.

[humbledore]

S-C in my area they do not allow plastic junction boxes, metal and conduit are required per code so they don't even sell them. But something like this could work (not cheap for a plastic box):

http://www.amazon.com/Hammond-1591VSBK- ... roject+box" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

I looked at Lowe's online and found this - http://www.lowes.com/pd_10029-1716-L513 ... RRWidgetID" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow . That's not exactly like mine (smaller). The one pictured is 4x4x4 and mine is 6x6x4 and cost about $12. Anyway, the one in your link may be a little too small to fit in a fan - don't know. You have some other good suggestions here. You should be able to come up with something suitable.

Good luck,
S-C

I like that one. I am looking for a smaller one, I don't need a 12x12 box. Although I will have to drill some holes for sure. Thanks for the link.

[humbledore]

I'm about to build mine and think I'm going to use a dry box you get from sporting goods outlets.

What is a dry box?

[marshrunner757]

I'm about to build mine and think I'm going to use a dry box you get from sporting goods outlets.

What is a dry box?

A hard abs plastic box. Used for boating a lot. Also used for keeping shotgun shells in. Walmart carries them.

[Halfbaked]

mine is just a cah box from a rummage sale. i run usually 10 gallons through my keg at 220v and havnt needed a fan, no overheating problems

Cash box what a novel idea.

[apdb]

special edition Grand Theft Auto 4 safety deposit box controller

Any video game nerds will recognise my future controller box. I hoping to attach a emptied bullet and casing to the pot. for a needle.

[NineInchNails]

I recently bought one of these boxes (12"x10"x5") for a pretty elaborate controller with lots of bells & whistles. I know it's kinda pricy but it's real nice. They have a box with the same dimensions with fewer removable panels for $37. They have boxes of all sizes.

This project box is also really nice. I've made a couple PID controllers using this box.

[bellybuster]

ammo cans work really well too. Cheap as dirt at most surplus stores. Even cheaper if you know any Military guys.

[Cardinalbags]

I purchased this metal box at at Harris&Roome electrical supply store for about $30. It measures 10"x10"x6" deep. More than enough space for internal wiring, relays, heat sink and phase angle controller. It has all the proper knock-outs on the sides of the box for incoming/outgoing wiring just like your home electrical panel.

[humbledore]

I purchased this metal box at at Harris&Roome electrical supply store for about $30. It measures 10"x10"x6" deep. More than enough space for internal wiring, relays, heat sink and phase angle controller. It has all the proper knock-outs on the sides of the box for incoming/outgoing wiring just like your home electrical panel.

image.jpg

One thing that is a little unnerving about electric is that it's dead silent until it gets going. I was thinking about some kind of "on" light. Is that what the light bulb is for?

[humbledore]

Surprising, McMaster actually has some reasonable cases.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#steel-electric ... es/=q51qx3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

I am thinking a smaller one, maybe like this, it has the knockouts too:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#75065K11" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

[Cardinalbags]

I purchased this metal box at at Harris&Roome electrical supply store for about $30. It measures 10"x10"x6" deep. More than enough space for internal wiring, relays, heat sink and phase angle controller. It has all the proper knock-outs on the sides of the box for incoming/outgoing wiring just like your home electrical panel.

image.jpg

One thing that is a little unnerving about electric is that it's dead silent until it gets going. I was thinking about some kind of "on" light. Is that what the light bulb is for?

Yes. I wired the lightbulb for a visual indicator that power is on to the boiler. My flow switch cuts power in the event I lose cooling water to the condenser. The analog ammeter and voltmeter also swing to zero, but its hard to not notice the light has gone out.

[S-Cackalacky]

Surprising, McMaster actually has some reasonable cases.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#steel-electric ... es/=q51qx3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

I am thinking a smaller one, maybe like this, it has the knockouts too:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#75065K11" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

That smaller one is the same size as my plastic one. It's a good size for adding a fan and maybe an ampmeter or voltmeter.

S-C

[YHB]

.


A bit of a packing case, a couple of old floor boards and some left over paint.

[humbledore]

Now that is done up right! Now if you'll just hand me the missile launch codes I can take over.

[humbledore]

Sorry if I offended you YHB, I had a few that night. Hell, I'm having a few tonight too. But here is what I ended up with, the $15 case from Mcmaster. 6x6x4" high, with knockouts on multiple sides. I was shooting for something smaller.

[YHB]

Sorry if I offended you YHB

Why would I be offended? My shed is defiantly "early industrial" with more than a hint of steam punk. I think the controller box fits in nicely with the décor and blends in with the boiler.

I made the box a bit on the big size to leave room for temperature gauges and electronics etc, unfortunately the interference from the SSR wiped out the gauges and now they they are in a separate blue box on another wall.

[humbledore]

are the switches for the gauges only or do they turn the elements on/off?

[sambedded]

This is mine controller in 6x6x4 plastic box: