Enclosure for Fusion Brain. Would you want one?

**mx270a** · 07-07-2009, 10:21 PM

A case that holds just the FB wouldn't be that useful for me since I need relays and sensors in some kind of an enclosure as well. So far, I've been using plastic containers designed to hold food. They seal up well enough to prevent dust and water from getting in.

Given the option, plastic is probably better than metal simply so it can't short anything out.

**2k1Toaster** · 07-07-2009, 10:25 PM

Originally Posted by mx270a

A case that holds just the FB wouldn't be that useful for me since I need relays and sensors in some kind of an enclosure as well. So far, I've been using plastic containers designed to hold food. They seal up well enough to prevent dust and water from getting in.

Given the option, plastic is probably better than metal simply so it can't short anything out.

I was thinking of designing a case capable of carrying 16 relays and the FB, but for sensors, usually they need to be external.

**PaulF** · 07-07-2009, 10:25 PM

maybe if the case could also hold a relay for each output...

**mx270a** · 07-08-2009, 01:07 AM

Originally Posted by 2k1Toaster

I was thinking of designing a case capable of carrying 16 relays and the FB, but for sensors, usually they need to be external.

Housing for 16 relays, that sounds interesting. Wire management is going to become an issue to deal with getting high amperage connections to all those relays. I use some inertial sensors (gyros and accelerometers), which can stay right by the board. I agree that most people will be using sensors that actually connect to other stuff.

**PaulF** · 07-08-2009, 08:20 AM

Originally Posted by mx270a

Housing for 16 relays, that sounds interesting. Wire management is going to become an issue to deal with getting high amperage connections to all those relays. I use some inertial sensors (gyros and accelerometers), which can stay right by the board. I agree that most people will be using sensors that actually connect to other stuff.

For the stock 30 amp relays, you only need 14 awg wires to connect to them. You can just stick the spade connectors on the bottom of the relays through holes in the case and then attach wires to them.

**Iamthehor** · 07-08-2009, 08:35 AM

Originally Posted by 2k1Toaster

I was thinking of designing a case capable of carrying 16 relays and the FB, but for sensors, usually they need to be external.

8 of these:

+ SEALED connectors for 16x2 + 13x3 + 12V + USB (not a USB plug, but a sealed 4P connector)

The connectors in the picture hold 1 SPST & 1 DPDT. Once in mass production, I'll have a 4xSPST i can use. None of these are sealed so they need to be inside though. I work in automotive so the stuff i have access to isn't panel mount, but I'd say there is something like that out there.

That's an enclosure (or at least a connection kit) I would buy to make things look pretty.

**2k1Toaster** · 07-08-2009, 12:53 PM

Why do you need it sealed?

**GadgetBandit** · 07-08-2009, 01:38 PM

I'd like a mounting "plate", with standoffs for the Brain and the capability to snap in relays, sideways.

GadgetBandit

**Crinos** · 07-08-2009, 04:59 PM

I defenetly would have the plastic casing, and even the metal sounds tempting. Though 70$ for the metal case, then shipping, and Norwegian customs... Will make it cost around 120$ before I get my hands on it.

If I where to buy the FB and there where a plastic option. I would throw in the enclosure, whether or not I have use for it

**Iamthehor** · 07-09-2009, 09:58 AM

Originally Posted by 2k1Toaster

Why do you need it sealed?

Sealed connections on the outside, the relay connectors aren't & don't really need to be.

1. Even if you use this in the car, it can't hurt to be waterproof
2. It makes it much more flexible for non-carPC applications(there is a FB in a tractor...)
3. I'm used to having that be standard (pretty much drilled into my head).

I'm waiting to get my hands on a scrap EFI ECU to hack up & use the over-engineered 126-pin connectors (I have plenty of the male, female is PCB mount though).

It would probably be stupidly expensive to do what I want, but you get my $.02 for free. I work in automotive, directly with wiring so I have access to things most people don't & my idea of the 'correct' way to do things comes from expecting it to function for 500k miles & 20 years.
My parts aren't geared toward panel/box mounting though, so adapting them doesn't look as professional as I'd like. Not sure I'd pay for professional if it was available though, so my advice is worth exactly what you paid for it. I know cost is a major issue, but extra ideas never hurt. I know what the startup costs for injection molding are like, but I usually get to average costs over ~500,000 pieces, not a couple hundred.

You might market it as a development enclosure as well-easy connect/disconnect of outputs from the relays as well as any sensors + some portability. I do most of my building/debugging at my desk, being able to put it back in service with ~4 quick connections would be nice.