Weather proof casing for Z-Uno

Discussion about Z-Uno product. Visit http://z-uno.z-wave.me for more details.
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dawiinci
Posts: 48
Joined: 14 Oct 2017 10:54

Weather proof casing for Z-Uno

Post by dawiinci »

I want to make a weather proof casing for the Z-Uno (wind sensor). Outer diameter of 60 mm, inner diameter 54 mm, height about 100 mm. The most solid version would be made out of metal (aluminium or stainless steel using a milling machine). However, I expect the signal to be blocked 100% in that case.

The antenna is a copper wire. One part of the case (lid) will be isolated from the rest by an o-ring and plastic screws. But I guess just connecting the wire to the lid won't help or would it. Kind of like on an iPhone where parts of the case are the antenna.

Plastics are either not UV resistant or very expensive if used for milling.

Any ideas how to make this better?

Thanks for your input
petergebruers
Posts: 255
Joined: 26 Jul 2015 17:29

Re: Weather proof casing for Z-Uno

Post by petergebruers »

It is worth trying. Antenna design is black magic :-)

Alternatively, you can solder a connector on the board and use an external antenna.

Maybe stupid idea... What kind of interface does your sensor use? If possible, I would put the Z-Uno indoors...

For connectors, I use chinese SP13 like this:

SP13, 2pin 3pin 4 pin 5 pin 6 pin 7pin 9pin

http://s.aliexpress.com/YbymAFbQ
dawiinci
Posts: 48
Joined: 14 Oct 2017 10:54

Re: Weather proof casing for Z-Uno

Post by dawiinci »

I want to have the Z-Uno outside. It is a long way to indoors. If possible I want to avoid to have an external antenna, because this is prone to fail in heavy weather. I will check if POM-C could be an option. If ist is too expensive to build the whole casing maybe it would help to have parts of it in plastic. I could have a 10 mm layer of POM-C, the rest in metal.

But I agree, antenna design is a magic box. Not sure if 10 mm is enough.
petergebruers
Posts: 255
Joined: 26 Jul 2015 17:29

Re: Weather proof casing for Z-Uno

Post by petergebruers »

It may sound stupid, but as long as you can isolate a part of your design, it is an antenna.

Try this: put your zuno in a metal box and run it on USB power. It will still work! Because you ground part of the Z-Uno via the cable, the metal is still able to produce an electric field. Then try with a powr bank... Even then it is not a perfect Faraday cage...
daedalusminos
Posts: 6
Joined: 18 Dec 2017 13:26

Re: Weather proof casing for Z-Uno

Post by daedalusminos »

You can get UV stable filament for FDM 3D printing - that may be suitable?
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PoltoS
Posts: 7565
Joined: 26 Jan 2011 19:36

Re: Weather proof casing for Z-Uno

Post by PoltoS »

We use Gainta G2xx cases http://www.gainta.com.tw
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