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Seeking Your Feedback on Upcoming Experimenting Challenge -- Waterproofing Electronics

rscasny

I am preparing to launch in October an Experimenting Challenge focusing on waterproofing electronics, featuring waterproof connectors and a customized watertight enclosure.

I wanted to tell you about it. Give you some facts, and let you see what I have looked at thus far.

I also am seeking your input as a sort of wishlist. That is, What would you like (or should be) added to the challenge's kit in terms of electronics, single board computers, accessories, etc. Now's the time to provide me your input so I can determine my budget for the program. Of course, there will be some great prizes as well. (BTW, you can also offer ideas for prizes: grand, runner-up, third prize.)

Here's what I have:

Waterproof Connectors

The IP ratings of these connectors vary:

  • IPX4 – Protects from splashing water, no matter the direction
  • IPX8 – Protects when immersed in water over 3 feet
  • IP67 - "complete protection against dust over extended time" and "protected against short periods of immersion in water while under pressure between 15cm and 1m.
USB Type C Micro USB Type B D-Sub Enclosure
image image image image

Connector Datasheets

Micro USB Type B

Type C

D-Sub

Watertight Enclosure

  • Enclosure Material: Polycarbonate
  • IP Rating: IP68 - total protection against solid ingress and total protection against water ingress, up to and including complete submersion below one meter and for more than 30 minutes.
  • NEMA Rating: NEMA 4, 4X, 6, 6P, 12, 13
  • External Height - Imperial: 2.36"
  • External Width - Imperial: 5.51"
  • External Depth - Imperial: 5.51"
  • Note: I chose the size; however, feel free to suggest another size.

Enclosure Datasheet

1554 Series Enclosure

Customizing Watertight Enclosure

I am having the enclosure customized. The manufacturer will cut the holes for the connectors. So, it would be helpful to know what connectors you would like to use:

The Wishlist: Other parts to include in the challenge kit

Obviously, we want to mount a PCB in the enclosure. Cables and mounting hardware might also be needed. What is mounted in the enclosure can vary; that is, what is mounted within it can vary from participant, since the focus is testing/experimenting with the viability of these waterproof/tight devices. So, what to add to the kit, is based on your need, interest and/or creativity. But all participants will receive the same connectors and enclosure.

Your thoughts?

The community always offered interesting ideas that often change what we offer in the kit or how we frame the challenge. So, feel free to post a comment with your thoughts.

Thanks.

Randall

--element14 Team

  • Hi Randall,

    Interesting challenge!

    I got this USB connector today, unfortunately not waterproof, but supposedly rugged. And a nice Multicomp case that is the size of a paperback book, visible in the background. It's for repairing a car diagnostics board.

    image

    The connectors mentioned could all be useful in different circumstances. Probably the microUSB is much more design challenge-friendly than USB-C, since the latter will have a lot of fine connections that everyone won't be able to solder. The D-Sub will be easiest to use. Another idea (if it's available) could be a circular connector or two, for instance, M8 is rugged and can be waterproof, but also maybe an RF connector (like TNC or SMA). TNC would be easier to ruggedise as well as to waterproof, but SMA is super convenient too. Anyone who doesn't want to use the circular connectors could easily plug those holes with sealed grommets/bungs etc. RJ45 (i.e. modular connector) is really nice too.

    I recently assembled a LoRaWAN gateway using a Pi, but I had to settle for an indoor enclosure : ( An enclosure that is at least thick paperback sized would be interesting for a lot of outdoor use, if it could fit a large dev board and a board on top. RJ45 also allows for PoE so batteries are not always required.

    There's a very cool example of RJ45 waterproof and presumably a bit ruggedised too, in this new, fairly impressive product.. word on the street is that it will be around $10k when released!

    It uses RJ45 for an umbilical cable between the control panel and the outdoor guts of it:

  • One USB connector is always good, 2 USB is not needed. 1 D-sub is useful for a wide variety of other wiring.

  • I recommend providing kit with all posible connectors because user can decide which will use and which will not use. For example if only USB will be provided than contestant requiring DSUB will not be satisfied. In opposition when all connectors are included then user will use DSUB and just do not use USB if he do not need it.

    For reward I recommend using concept of choice from two options like it was in older design challenges like Experimenting with Thermal Switches. In all recent contest reward is some kind of iPad which is nice but I already won one ipad and for me winning second iPad makes this competitions less attractive. Choice from consumer grade electronics (for example iPad, laptop, gaming console, VR headset, ...) and electronics design helpful device (for example oscillscope, arbitrary generator, advanced soldering station, ...) is good compromis I think. Budget usualy allows providing even very advanced rewards.

  • in reply to misaz

    We can go with test equipment. We have for some programs in the past. In the last year, I've sort of felt people like the consumer electronics, but we can change up. Thanks for mentioning.

  • in reply to rscasny

    You could do a whole poll on what members prefer for prizes. For those who don't use Apple products, it would be better if there was a choice between Apple and equivalent android device.

  • in reply to dougw

    That's a good point. Since we have relied a lot on Apple products for prizes thus far, it's probably time to get more community input for prizes. I'll put it on my to-do list. Thanks.

  • in reply to rscasny

    Personally I haven't applied for any contests where the prizes are all Apple. They make good products but they just aren't very open with their technology, (ever since the Apple II got cloned to death) so I shy away from them.

  • in reply to dougw

    Given the feedback I am getting about prizes, I think I'll "re-think" what prizes we offer. I think at the begin, the smartwatches, ipads, laptops seemed to be a motivator to apply and participate. But maybe it is time to change to something else. 

  • in reply to rscasny

    The prizes so far have been great, they don't all need to have universal appeal. There is a wide variety of members and correspondingly wide appetites for prizes.

  • in reply to dougw

    I once won an apple watch, but since I don't have an Iphone, I can't use it. So its still in its box waiting to be sold. I find test equipment far more attractive than consumer electronics.