Looking for idea on "small" weatherproof box for truck.

[Leaky88]

Hello,
I have small 20A on-off-on switch that needs to reside in my engine compartment.
The switch controls an Emergency Back-up system modification which hopefully will never need to be used. Hence, it does not need to be in the Cab nor assessable.
My desire is to place it in the smallest, low-profile weatherproof enclosure I can find, but short of fabricating one,I am lost for ideas of something on the market that would suffice.
Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Leaky

 

[75gmck25]

You could try using a switch like this, which has a waterproof housing as part of the switch. Just use the mounting tabs to attach it to something convenient. https://www.gamainc.com/product/p12001-2-mtd/

Bruce

 

[Dustball]

What size?

 

[Leaky88]

Looking for smallest box, nothing bigger 2x2.

 

[nadogail]

When you said "Small Weather Proof Box" ammunition cans came to mind.

 

[Dustball]

Looking for smallest box, nothing bigger 2x2.

Try this one- https://www.mcmaster.com/1037N211/

 

[Leaky88]

Dust all,
That should do it, thanks.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I worked in automotive design for over 30 years. There is no such thing as a "weather proof" housing. I have seen "water proof" triple seal connector allow salt water into the contacts after several runs through a salt water bath (early days of EFI, we "packed" the water proof connectors with silicon dielectric grease - belts and braces).

One of the more interesting under hood fuse boxes I have seen recently features a deep cover (about 1" sides) that lapped over the bottom half. No real serious attempts at a seal. The actual fuse holding base was mounted upside down ! There were a couple of small hole in the bottom. Any moisture that got in would drip past the fuses and down to the bottom and drain out !

 

[Leaky88]

theoldwizard1,

So, can I assume these advertised (I.e. marine) weatherproof switches will also fail the integrity test as well.?

 

[mc4life27]

You could try using a switch like this, which has a waterproof housing as part of the switch. Just use the mounting tabs to attach it to something convenient. https://www.gamainc.com/product/p12001-2-mtd/

Bruce

I like that switch never seen one like that.


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[mc4life27]

Hello,

I have small 20A on-off-on switch that needs to reside in my engine compartment.

The switch controls an Emergency Back-up system modification which hopefully will never need to be used. Hence, it does not need to be in the Cab nor assessable.

My desire is to place it in the smallest, low-profile weatherproof enclosure I can find, but short of fabricating one,I am lost for ideas of something on the market that would suffice.

Any feedback would be appreciated.



Thanks.



Leaky

Now I’m guessing it’s for a 12 volt circuit? Try looking into the car audio side of things. Like maybe Scosche or metra or even Haines out of New York. Now agreed on the never seeing a true 100% water proof set up worked in the car audio industry growing up for 16 years installing stereos alarms aftermarket accessories. Now I have seen some military switch’s that were close to being water proof and were for a short period of time but over the course of a year or two and from abuse of a military truck they would crack and water would start to leak. BuT just remember as long as the water has a place to
Go and the switch can dry out and that both sides
Of the circuit will not be submerged in water to complete the circuit, the main issue you would have to watch for would be corrosion from the water over time. Think about it car door have drain holes at the bottom because water goes in every car door that’s on the rod that drives in the rain so those switches are around moisture and for the most part they put live the cars they are in.


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[Jake M]

First post. Yay..... But this is right up my alley.

You know I wanna ask what it is...... But let me ask you this- You say hopefully it'll never be used. Is this thing supposed to last months, or years?

The reason I ask that is this- Even though you do your best to weather proof stuff, switches (of this nature) rely on being used, to keep oxidation from the contacts. Letting one sit for years will render it unreliable. Maybe not dead, but unreliable. Perhaps it works a time or two, or perhaps it works fine, but heats up to failure if it's left on for a few or more minutes under load.

My suggestion for this sort of thing (IF it fits your needs... I don't know those needs...) is DON'T bury it, hide it, but rather simplify it. An appropriately sized alligator clip, taped (Not wire tied, unless you can guarantee access to scissors, knives, etc) very neatly to a battery negative cable, with a small loop (folded neatly, in the tape), that would allow it to be clamped to the battery positive terminal when needed. If that gets oxidized, it can be scrubbed off, and if it can't be scrubbed off, and it's a barely recognizable ball of rust, it'll work when it's screamin' hot too.... But it's not gonna rot so fast. Positive things rot quickly. Grounded things rot slower. By not needing a "positive wire" at the ready, hitched to the switch, you'll minimize the corrosion right there.

That said, if a switch is indeed the only option for you, your needs, your wants... I agree with the above suggestion. PVC and plastic wet location electrical fixtures (preferably the "drill your own" type with no holes in them) make awesome "project boxes". Plus they're light, they can mount with small zip ties. One tip though, if you can't guarantee access to tools, tape a small screwdriver (neatly) to something nearby to it. Leave a folded over "tab" on the tape for easy unwrapping.