DIY: Monitor Enclosure

[LAR Reptiles]

Lovin it!!

[Scale_fever]

Originally Posted by LAR Reptiles

Lovin it!!

What he said!!

[War Machine]

I'll have thorough pictures up next few days. My computer is in for repairs. Lame I know.

But I have a box now! Lol

[War Machine]

Alright, I'm sorry for the delays, had car issues and my laptop is in for repairs lol

Lets go,

Ok where we left off. Once you get all your walls pre fabbed, you can go ahead and fasten the enclosure via your brackets, screws, nails, lags, carriage bolts etc, whatever you fancy.

Then you can start on your ceiling, I built in the same fashion I did my bottom. Once you do that, drill some holes through the studs to run wires like so, staple them down too!



All you need is your two wires, white and black, drill out your plywood to drop the wires down before you close it too. Then same thing, insulate the top, bolt it together, grab a friend, and you should have this by now.



It's also smart to install some butt connectors for ease. It's even more importan to protect all your connections from moisture and humidity. I advocate shrink tubing religiously, more expensive then electrical tape, but worth it.



I kept my connection in my accessible joint.







Ok, now you have a partial box setup, now you can seal! Seal, seal, seal! Even though this is built with moving in mind, you can only do so much mobility wise. I took no chance for a leaky tank. I foamed every crack and void, and went through about 10 tubes of silicone so far.

[War Machine]

Once you're done that, we can wire, now, you should have your two wires hanging from the ceiling and out the side or back of the tank. I chose side. The wiring is easy, I picked up an extension tool/power tool replacement wire from Home Depot, it's about $10, and worth it. Also you'll need about 50' of black and white 14 gauge wire, a light switch, wire stripperS, shrink tube and butt connections. Drill some more holes to run your wires.



Apply some butts to your wires and connect your extension cord end. I kept in about 5" in the tank. So I have a 10' cord for the tank.









Now people always get confused when it comes to wirin in a switch, it's easy, it's just a break in your power, simple.



This is what I'm using for my heat lights. Outdoor flood light fixtures. Liquid tight.



Now pre wire your one light, not mixing up the colors and insuring a solid connection. Or you'll be blowing fuses. It's also very important that you shield your connections in a metal junction box like so, or it can void your home insurance of it ever sparks and catches fire.

[War Machine]

Now you can install the fixtures. Remembering to keep whites to whites and blacks to blacks.



Also pay attention to the little things, like the screws that angle and position the lights, face them to you, so you can adjust with ease.



And to install butt connections between fixtures, for if you ever need to replace or move them you can without a headache.



So here is where I'm at as of now, I'll keep updating this weekend. Front frame and doors are next.

[jarich]

You're leaving your quick connection ends exposed within your enclosure?! That really isnt a good idea man. You can get much better waterproof connectors that hold up against humidity and corrosion, like the ones they use on boats and for outside. Id recommend the same for the ones in that joint you were showing earlier, just in case you ever get leaks past your silicone.

[War Machine]

No they're not exposed, that hanging wire will be housed in a conduit and each connection will be taped up.

And the other one is taped up, left the tape off for pictures. I needed the lights up before I could buy the conduit for the wire.

[jarich]

Originally Posted by War Machine

I kept my connection in my accessible joint.

Youre telling me that you taped this connection after this picture? Thats impressive.

Also, you mentioned before the importance of shrink wrapping the quick slide ends for waterproofing, but then you just tape the exposed connection after? That doesnt make much sense.

Im sorry for giving you a hard time, its just that you are showing a decent example of why you need someone who really knows what they are doing regarding electrical wiring, rather than just guessing yourself. Wrapping that exposed connection in electrical tape and then wrapping a split conduit around that isnt the safest bet. Since this is going in your house, Id say go as safe as possible rather than risk it, like youre doing.

[War Machine]

No I appreciate the constructiveness. I'm not an electrician, and I'm not much in a position to argue.

I don't see the sense in a quick connection just to heat shrink it, that's more of a permanent gesture.

I thought you were addressing the connection at the side, I forgot about the top one, I will address that one better, perhaps use a shielded connection like you mentioned.

Why do you feel a tapped quick connect in a conduit is not a good idea? They're shielded from each other and the environment of the enclosure.

Believe me, I learn as I build these, so take what I preach with a grain of salt, I'm just sharing how I build it

[infernalis]

If you wish to have quick connects, buy them at an auto parts store, ask for the ones used to connect a boat trailer.

Tada............

They are "bullet" connectors BTW.

[jarich]

Ya, I hear you man, and your construction looks solid otherwise. Electrical work is one of those things that really has to be right if you want it to be safe though, so I appreciate you being open to this.

You can buy either a waterproof quick connect, which is just like the ones you have with a cover over them (when connected the plastic seals itself from the elements) or you can buy the type that actually have a bit of sealant that goes over the connection to make absolutely sure its safe from the elements. Both are pretty easy to get apart when you need to, dont worry.

In answer to your question, the conduit you put over those wires isnt sealed, so that same high humidity will absolutely get inside. Conduit is just meant to protect continuous wire itself, not any type of connection. Thats why legally you always have to have a connection box for any type of connection. (by the way, that flexible conduit isnt legal anymore either, but that might just be down here in the States )

[War Machine]

Good to know Wayne, thanks, I'll grab some this weekend and replace them.

I'm having a hard time finding a suitable shower door for the enclosure, or If I should go another route. Any ideas?

[jarich]

I have used both shower doors and windows in the past. The shower door was easier to get in and out of, but the window I find to hold the heat and humidity much better. They are already sealed, double glazed and weatherproofed, and relatively cheap nowadays. Plus you can get them in all kinds of sizes and shapes

[War Machine]

Thanks for the info jarich,

I'm going to replace them all with the marine connections to ensure safety. In what context is the flex tube illegal? Commercial and residential manufacturing? Or even personal? I'm not worried about it though lol

The Home Depot rep referred me to it, so we'll hold him liable haha Jk.