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Weather proof casing for Z-Uno

Posted: 02 Jan 2018 20:11
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

Re: Weather proof casing for Z-Uno

Posted: 02 Jan 2018 20:23
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

Re: Weather proof casing for Z-Uno

Posted: 03 Jan 2018 13:45
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.

Re: Weather proof casing for Z-Uno

Posted: 03 Jan 2018 14:16
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...

Re: Weather proof casing for Z-Uno

Posted: 03 Jan 2018 14:23
by daedalusminos
You can get UV stable filament for FDM 3D printing - that may be suitable?

Re: Weather proof casing for Z-Uno

Posted: 05 Jan 2018 08:01
by PoltoS
We use Gainta G2xx cases http://www.gainta.com.tw