Finding a Project Box [SOLVED]

[jpanhalt]

I am wrapping up a project that has made my Winters pass more quickly.  It's a roast thermometer that predicts done time and gives a graphical picture (attachment 1).  I began the project in 2018, but it has not been full time.  When I began, Pax Instruments sold a temperature logger though Adafruit.  I contacted the owner directly, because i liked the box.  He sold the parts separately, and I bought just one.  It's small (about 2" x4" x 1"), has nice cutouts for my GLCD and buttons, and most important, it has a battery compartment for a prismatic Li-ion battery as used in some cell phones (attachment 2).  Now, I have come to the point of needing a few for family members, and the boxes are no longer available from Pax Instruments.

I have checked my usual sources: Bud, Hammond, OKW, Pacific, Polycas, and Serpac.  I can find similar boxes that could be modified, but nothing with a Li-ion battery compartment (attachment 2).

I have not gotten into 3D printing and suspect that may be my best option, but I would welcome other suggestions.

Regards, John

[Rat_Patrol]

Yup, perfect time to dive into 3D printing I think.

[edpalmer42]

Did you check PacTec?  https://www.pactecenclosures.com/

[jpanhalt]

I had not looked at PacTec. Thank you for the link. It has some interesting offerings, which might work.  One thing I have a hard time understanding is why everyone offers AA/AAA and 9V battery designs, and I can't find supplier that offers a LiPo cell design.  Are they just trying to get rid of old stock?  Apparently, the actual design is called BL-5C, which is/was used often with cell phones.  I did find a few such holders per se on AliBaba, and one could be built into a standard box.

As for 3D, one of my daughters teaches at an elementary school that offers classes in 3D printing to 3rd and 4th graders.  I am of a generation where we had wood shop in 7th grade.    I would like to test a small part that PAX posted on GitHub and see how it comes out before investing in a printer.  That daughter is looking into a test run for me.

[jpanhalt]

Charles Pax has kindly provided some boxes for me.  See pictures here: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/oshw/pax-instruments-t400-thermocouple-temperature-datalogger/new/#new

EDIT: An update with code and schematics has been posted in that thread.