RaspberryPi/Weatherproof Camera Case/Old

Weatherproof Case

Original

To make my own weatherproof case: rather than designing a 3D printed case with the proper knobs and buttons and things for USB and etc., get a larger plastic weatherproof case. Obtain the proper screws, washers, o-rings, etc. to mount the Raspberry Pi into the case, then obtain the proper glass disks, screws, washers, o-rings, etc. to mount the Pi camera on the inside of the case.

Easy start, because we can drill holes in it.

How to mount the camera?

• Does the O-ring rest directly on the camera? If so, there is not much field of vision and the size has to be matched perfectly with the camera. If not, the camera protrudes at least 1/8 of an inch, so you'd need a really fat o-ring, and one that wouldn't compress too much, and that just seems like a bad design.
• Does the glass disk rest directly on the camera? If so, would that affect field of vision? If not, what configuration?
• I think the glass disk rests directly on the camera.

Additional tripod mount screw hole would have to be added to the case - but again, much easier to do that with a larger case, than with a fitted-perfectly-for-the-Pi case.

Additional hole and rubber gasket for power cord would have to be added to the case.

Materials:

• Weatherproof plastic enclosure/case (tuperware? art supply case? Visit the hardware store.)
• Pi-to-case screws: 4-40 thread, 3/16", x4
• Camera-to-case screws: M2 size, 5 MM, x 4
• Camera-to-case seal: M 1.6 size, 4 mm (x4 for seal)
• O ring, 13 mm ID, 1.5 mm, for seal
• Glass lens: 17.9 mm x 1.2 mm
• Specifically look for PCB mounts/fasteners. Examples here: http://catalog.pemnet.com/category/fasteners-for-mounting-into-printed-circuit-boards

Similar in spirit, but open: plexiglass Pi sandwich: http://www.trainelectronics.com/RaspberryPi/index.html

Getting Screwed

Extremely confused about screw sizes. This page says you can mount the Pi with #4 screws, 1/4 inch long: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:922740

Some notes on what screw numbers mean:

The number refers to the gauge or diameter - and the M prefix means metric. So, #4 is an inches-based diameter screw, and any screw that has an number starting with 4 refers to a screw of that same diameter. 4-40 means #4 diameter, 40 threads per inch. 4-32 means #4 diameter, 32 threads per inch. The last number will tell you the length of the screw. a 4-40 1/2 screw means #4 diameter, 40 threads per inch, and 1/2 inch long.

The metric stuff, M2 = 2mm diameter, M2.5 = 2.5 mm diameter, etc. is apparently a totally and utterly different system of screw sizes.

Can't figure out what I need now.

I think what I need is, a drill bit for #4 size screws (those are the size for attaching the Pi to the case), and a drill bit for 2M screws (possibly 3M; these screws are the size for attaching the Pi camera board to the case). If I can figure this out, I'll know exactly what size screw to use to attach, and I can drill holes and build in a camera into other types of physical hardware in the future.

Physical Case

Principal design for this will be the Pelican 1120 size "small case": http://www.pelican.com/us/en/product/watertight-protector-hard-cases/small-case/standard/1120/

• Foam built in
• Camera hole will be drilled into side (probably broadside, but maybe front/back - less conspicuous)
• Raspberry Pi mounted on inside, close to hinge, ribbon connected to camera

Other case designs:

• Existing attache case

Attache case:

• connect Pis to inside of attache case with sticky velcro pads
• wifi antennas
• tripod mount (best location on the attache case?)

Power

Need to figure out a reliable, rechargeable source of power for these rigs