Boxes for custom built lights

[jeff1500]

Click here to see project boxes

How about a box to put custom built lights into.

Here'a a few that have battery compartments and clear face plates to let the light out.

I think I like the M-6 for a multiple led stepup circuit.

They sell them at Digikey. Page 674-5 in the latest catalog. You can get regular, translucent, pocket clip, and external screw options.

What does the external screw option mean? Is that a screw that's less likely to strip?

 

[TrevorNasko]

im trying clear otter boxes they seem to work great with the versalux

 

[KenBar]

Aragorn, did you get your Otterbox/s yet?
I have 2 that should have arrived today but got mis-routed at UPS and are on the way to east Egypt.....normal for December. They should arrive here in a couple more days...

I was wondering about the quality of the material they are made of.

 

[TrevorNasko]

i got one today and they are nice real nice. the 1000 series fits 2 versalux(moms gonna kill me when she sees the price as im alredy $100s in debt because of leds)1switch and 1 9v battery(and a partrageand a pear tree)with space left just velcro in the goods very compact very nice

 

[KenBar]

Here is the Versalux I am using with the Otter Box model 2000.

There is enough room for 4 C cells and battery holder, a pot, and the Versalux module. I am still running on the original 4 C cells so I opted to use C rather than D simply because of the weight.

You would typically use this when you wanted a LOT of light for a long time at a cheap cost. It is about the size of a pocket novel and twice as thick. There is NO room inside for the batteries to bang around. It fits snug and the internal foam grips the batteries/case nicely.

I plan to get new battery holders etc., clean up the wiring etc and then epoxy in the Versalux.


I did not get a pic of this, but if you wish it to stand on a flat surface, open one of the case locks and fold it back all the way. It make a perfect stand. The locks are well made enough that one is fine to hold the case together. When you are done, lock the case back.

 

[MrAl]

Hey they look pretty nice Jeff.
Did you order any yet and get a look at them
up close?
What do they cost each?

--Al

 

[JollyRoger]

Kenbar, you mentioned that you were intending to epoxy the versalux in?

Just a suggestion...if you ever decide to change your mind as to this setup, maybe it would be better for you to "shoe-goo" the versalux in? I'm talking about a silicon-type adhesive that dries hard and rubbery, yet still slightly flexible (will not crack, etc. but is pretty firm). It's also called "Goop," like "Plumber's Goop," "Household Goop," etc.

What do you think? If you ever decide to pull out the versalux, this would be much easier...once you try tugging at it, it usually comes off in one piece...

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

otterboxes? sounds like a good idea
to me
Has anyone found a cheaper source than
here? ?
KenBar; why are you not using the clear otterboxes?
(I have discovered the url button and that has made all the difference)

(edit -- why can't I get the "me" url to work?)

 

[jeff1500]

Otterbox photos

Here's a link with lots of otterboxes.

I'm waiting for the mailman to bring me some parts to hook up to my MAX757. One of these days I'll try surface mount, but I want to go through the larger component stage first.

I'm still without an opinion as far as boxes go. Some of the things I'm thinking about are:

1. How important is side shielding leds? How much light is lost if they poke through something instead of being inside a reflector?

2. I want two AA Nimh cells. Probably side by side pointing fore and aft.

3. Might be nice to have a switch that selected between two and four leds, maybe even one led since eyesight is pretty sensitive in the middle of the night. Maybe a dip switch, or probably better, a pot like on Ken's box.

4. Shape is a very interesting study. I have a narrow TV remote control that I like, but I've never seen a manufactured box in that shape.

 

[KenBar]

Ted, I got my Otter boxes from Mountain Sports in Arlington Texas for $9.95 ( on special #2000) and $15.95 for the #3000.
Shipping was 7 bucks for 3 day UPS.
I probably will use your site if I order more as it looked like their prices were pretty good all the time.
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I did not get clear because I figured the guts would look jumbled. I was not sure how the black would drill but it worked perfectly. VERY nice quiality material.
The photo above does not do it justice at all. It is a VERY nice black material, strong like a mixture of rubbermaid mixed with bakelite plastic, and a great seal. I just hope I don't go hog wild and put everything in it.
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Roger Great idea about the alternative to epoxy. The way I change my mind I am surprised I have not thought of it before. The epoxy will break free, but with that many LED's, it would probably damage the circuit board.
I think I will buy some black aquarium selant and squirt it all over the holes from behind, make a wax paper template for the led's .... put it over them, push it in and let it dry. I then can peel away any excess from above when it dries.

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by KenBar:
Ted, I got my Otter boxes from Mountain Sports in Arlington Texas for $9.95 ( on special #2000) and $15.95 for the #3000.
Shipping was 7 bucks for 3 day UPS.
I probably will use your site if I order more as it looked like their prices were pretty good all the time.
----------------------------<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Ken, I should have mentioned it yesterday but cases4less tacks on a 7 or 8 $ "handling fee" right at the last moment when you're checking out -- so keep that in mind..