Project Enclosures for automotive use

[bcx]

Hi All,

First time posting, long time lurker...

I'm in the process of making a small project, and I'm having a bit of trouble finding a suitable enclosure. The project will be a double sided PCB with mainly through-hole components, and a QFP atmega8. The circuit will leave inside the interior of the car under the dash somewhere, so doesn't need to be waterproof etc.

I'm just unsure about what to do about the enclosure... I like the idea of an enclosure that I can slide the PCB into (very much like many of the vehicles OEM control units are) - kind of like this: http://www.cinch.com/products/modular-integrated-connector-enclosure/modice-connector-enclosures-and-headers

However, these aren't exactly cheap once you add a connector... I'm hoping to be able to sell my project as a kit (not for profit, will be cost price on car forum).

RS-Online has some nice & cheap automotive style connectors... but even if i got the above enclosure (or similar) with a blank, I'd have to cut each one to cater for the plug.

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks in advance...
Bill

PS. i haven't designed the PCB yet... so open to ideas.

[GeoffS]

What size enclosure are you after? I just saw these ones at Ocean Controls and they wouldn't look out of place in a vehicle - I'm ordering a couple for electronic projects in my van.
You'd obviously still have to source the connector and cut-out the end panel for it.

[bcx]

I'm not sure on the exact size, I suspect the board wont be big.

Atmega8 or 16, ULN2003, LM321, 7805 5v reg and all the passive support components. The schematic isn't finalised either as electronics is a hobby (Network Admin by day, pulling car apart/hex editing ECU code by night)

I'll take a look at them. I'm trying to buy something off the shelf that I don't have the modify for the connector that's cheap. Cheers.

[rdl]

You can get boxes like this, intended for rough environments, that already have mounting flanges.

http://www.budind.com/view/NEMA+Boxes/Heavy+Duty+Plastic+NEMA+Box

There are many varieties. I think whatever you buy, you'll probably have to add your own openings for connectors and such..

[Rerouter]

as long as your inside the car just about any plastic box will do, but i will give you a fair warning, if your box has the risk of emitting any unwanted emi, shield it, you would be impressed by how many car radios get upset if there is gsm band frequencies within 30cm of the rear antenna socket,

[Psi]

Faced with a similar problem the best solution we found was extruded aluminum cases.
There's quite a few companies that produce different width/height versions and a few standard lengths, but you can usually order any custom length you want directly from them. Even for qty as small as 20

Most of them have multiple PCB slots on each side so you can pick the high you want the pcb at.

If you're getting the PCB manufactured, add on a bit extra and make the font and back panel out of PCB material.  Use a non standard solder mask colour like black or white. This way you can get nicely produced panels with the exact cutouts you need for the connectors/controls, as well as panel writing using the silkscreen and/or copper layer.