Waterproof Exterior Plastic Cabinet for 12v DC switches, breakers etc

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Waterproof Exterior Plastic Cabinet for 12v DC switches, breakers etc

MikeAqua

7611 posts

Uber Geek

#303163 20-Jan-2023 10:17

I'm looking for a smallish plastic cabinet to put a cluster of 200A DC 12v switches, breakers and junctions bars in.

Marine application. Needs to be UV resistant, >IP67 and ideally non-combustible. It will be subject to splashing but not immersion - if it's immersed, I have bigger problems than the electrical system to worry about!

Size about 400mm x 300mm x >100mm.

I can find compact electrical cabinets for 4x4 vehicles, However, they are typically designed for engine compartment use and aren't UV rated.

Mike

Silvrav

366 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#3024722 20-Jan-2023 11:04

200 or 20A?? 200A is massive. (I assume it's for a boat or is it for a building?)

would normal waterproof to IP56 not work? https://www.smartmarine.co.nz/product/75/csp6-f-6-switch-led-switch-panel-with-fuses

IP67 is total submersion up to 1m for 30mins? - if you just want splash proof then you just need IP56 which is dust proof and " Protected against strong jets of water e.g. for use on ship decks - limited ingress permitted"

something you can install breakers into: https://www.electricaldirectltd.co.nz/product/831-PDL56CB13-PDL-56-Switchboard-13-Way-Surface-Mount-IP66-Grey?gclid=Cj0KCQiA8aOeBhCWARIsANRFrQEHv5WLuJamupFbCCdLOcojqVOmMfLCyhUcN3bRy3IUh8C9UmMTr8MaAhq-EALw_wcB

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MikeAqua

7611 posts

Uber Geek

#3024743 20-Jan-2023 12:07

Silvrav:

200 or 20A?? 200A is massive. (I assume it's for a boat or is it for a building?)

would normal waterproof to IP56 not work? https://www.smartmarine.co.nz/product/75/csp6-f-6-switch-led-switch-panel-with-fuses

IP67 is total submersion up to 1m for 30mins? - if you just want splash proof then you just need IP56 which is dust proof and " Protected against strong jets of water e.g. for use on ship decks - limited ingress permitted"

something you can install breakers into: https://www.electricaldirectltd.co.nz/product/831-PDL56CB13-PDL-56-Switchboard-13-Way-Surface-Mount-IP66-Grey?gclid=Cj0KCQiA8aOeBhCWARIsANRFrQEHv5WLuJamupFbCCdLOcojqVOmMfLCyhUcN3bRy3IUh8C9UmMTr8MaAhq-EALw_wcB

The switch panel you've linked to is exactly what I have at the dashboard for controlling individual devices. This cabinet is for down at transom, distributing from the batteries (start, start and house) to the major circuits. I'm housing big chunky BEP master switches rated to 200A (about 50mm x 50mm footprint) with corresponding circuit breakers (50A and 150A) and heavy-duty bus bars.

Marine electronics tend to be rated for IP67, so I was using that as my guide. If IP56 works that's fine and hopefully cheaper. It just needs to be something with a good seal to stop water creeping into the enclosure when its wet and there is wind pressure from moving along at ~40km/hr.

I need something with an opening door that allows me access to the switches and breakers. I turn various things on/off depending on what I'm doing with the boat.

Mike

Silvrav

366 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#3024745 20-Jan-2023 12:12

MikeAqua:

Silvrav:

200 or 20A?? 200A is massive. (I assume it's for a boat or is it for a building?)

would normal waterproof to IP56 not work? https://www.smartmarine.co.nz/product/75/csp6-f-6-switch-led-switch-panel-with-fuses

IP67 is total submersion up to 1m for 30mins? - if you just want splash proof then you just need IP56 which is dust proof and " Protected against strong jets of water e.g. for use on ship decks - limited ingress permitted"

something you can install breakers into: https://www.electricaldirectltd.co.nz/product/831-PDL56CB13-PDL-56-Switchboard-13-Way-Surface-Mount-IP66-Grey?gclid=Cj0KCQiA8aOeBhCWARIsANRFrQEHv5WLuJamupFbCCdLOcojqVOmMfLCyhUcN3bRy3IUh8C9UmMTr8MaAhq-EALw_wcB

The switch panel you've linked to is exactly what I have at the dashboard for controlling individual devices. This cabinet is for down at transom, distributing from the batteries (start, start and house) to the major circuits. I'm housing big chunky BEP master switches rated to 200A (about 50mm x 50mm footprint) with corresponding circuit breakers (50A and 150A) and heavy-duty bus bars.

Marine electronics tend to be rated for IP67, so I was using that as my guide. If IP56 works that's fine and hopefully cheaper. It just needs to be something with a good seal to stop water creeping into the enclosure when its wet and there is wind pressure from moving along at ~40km/hr.

I need something with an opening door that allows me access to the switches and breakers. I turn various things on/off depending on what I'm doing with the boat.

ok that makes sense 👍 - what we use to do was enclose the entire battery unit with its switches in a waterproof enclosure, but yes if you need to keep switching things might make it tricky to keep opening something bigger. No scope to extend wiring and mount something internally on the sideboard of the boat? The sea air will eventually get in there and corrosion will start setting in so the more you can protect it the better.

wellygary

7378 posts

Uber Geek

#3024746 20-Jan-2023 12:13

Bolt on a Pelican box or similar ??

MikeAqua

7611 posts

Uber Geek

#3025998 24-Jan-2023 08:37

Silvrav:

ok that makes sense 👍 - what we use to do was enclose the entire battery unit with its switches in a waterproof enclosure, but yes if you need to keep switching things might make it tricky to keep opening something bigger. No scope to extend wiring and mount something internally on the sideboard of the boat? The sea air will eventually get in there and corrosion will start setting in so the more you can protect it the better.

I have a spare cubby hole on the transom which sits directly above the battery compartment. It used to hold an oil tank, but that is gone as I upgraded the outboard.

There is no room in the battery compartment as I've gone for the biggest starter battery I can possibly fit, since it also runs the winch.

So what I have in mind is a small plastic cabinet to fit in the spare cubby hole (dimensions in OP). I might end up having to make something.

Mike

MikeAqua

7611 posts

Uber Geek

#3026000 24-Jan-2023 08:42

wellygary:

Bolt on a Pelican box or similar ??

Maybe. Do you know if they are UV resistant? I have little one on the boat I used for car kays that's lived on the boat for long time with no visible deterioration, but it's somewhere that doesn't get that much direct sunlight.

Mike

Silvrav

366 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#3026005 24-Jan-2023 08:47

MikeAqua:

Silvrav:

ok that makes sense 👍 - what we use to do was enclose the entire battery unit with its switches in a waterproof enclosure, but yes if you need to keep switching things might make it tricky to keep opening something bigger. No scope to extend wiring and mount something internally on the sideboard of the boat? The sea air will eventually get in there and corrosion will start setting in so the more you can protect it the better.

I have a spare cubby hole on the transom which sits directly above the battery compartment. It used to hold an oil tank, but that is gone as I upgraded the outboard.

There is no room in the battery compartment as I've gone for the biggest starter battery I can possibly fit, since it also runs the winch.

So what I have in mind is a small plastic cabinet to fit in the spare cubby hole (dimensions in OP). I might end up having to make something.

I usually find this the case with boats as nothing offshelf works. Maybe these guys can make something for you?

https://www.ipenclosures.co.nz/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA_bieBhDSARIsADU4zLeCcutlBhYpSAMZB3a7KdvfvIARGLql93qxMI4TQl5TLs37pmTIpxEaAm8BEALw_wcB

Silvrav

366 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#3026006 24-Jan-2023 08:49

MikeAqua:

wellygary:

Bolt on a Pelican box or similar ??

Maybe. Do you know if they are UV resistant? I have little one on the boat I used for car kays that's lived on the boat for long time with no visible deterioration, but it's somewhere that doesn't get that much direct sunlight.

The cargo cases (doubt a cooler would fit 🤪 ) seems to be

MikeAqua

7611 posts

Uber Geek

#3026057 24-Jan-2023 10:29

Silvrav:

I usually find this the case with boats as nothing offshelf works. Maybe these guys can make something for you?

https://www.ipenclosures.co.nz/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA_bieBhDSARIsADU4zLeCcutlBhYpSAMZB3a7KdvfvIARGLql93qxMI4TQl5TLs37pmTIpxEaAm8BEALw_wcB

Cheers. If I'm looking at custom made then I'm better buying some board and laminate and building my own.

Mike