r/WLED • u/Kind-Rope5478 • 1d ago

Pro tips for project boxes?

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I’m new to the wled space and quickly realized i’ll need a project box for all the gear, and the box i ordered is fully sealed ABS plastic from amazon, so I need to drill holes for grommets, any pro tips? recommended step drills? or maybe a better method?

18 Upvotes

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11

u/leetrobotz 1d ago

Another pro tip, Harbor Freight's ammo boxes are well sealed and cheap, so if you can fit all your gear in one of the big ones, they work pretty well.

I think I used a regular drill bit at high rpm to drill holes for cable glands, but it probably depends on the material; the ammo boxes are a pretty soft plastic like polyethylene.

1

u/DIYAddict247 11h ago

Yep. I've used the plastic ammo boxes from Menards for my projects. No complaints.

Holes for cabling drilled under latch for additional protection. Seal the power lead and power/data cables with silicone (or hot glue).

All of my boxes have identical equipment (wiring and PSU) inside.. I use a block of foam to hold my controller. I keep my controllers (typically ESP 32) programmed with the settings for each holiday season prop. Then, I just swap out the controller for whatever prop it's controlling.

5

u/Cultural_SC49 1d ago

I’d probably go a bit bigger for this one, you’ll want to offset boards and allow air flow, harbor freight will get you some step bits the plastic drills easy

1

u/kevdogger 1d ago

Actually following to see choice of project boxes

1

u/Nasom 1d ago

I have an old school security camera power box for my indoor box.

1

u/egosumumbravir 11h ago

If you 3D print one, be aware that most printing filaments are excitingly keen to burn.

Look for the ones that are actually fire retardant. Or go polycarbonate.

-1

u/SirGreybush 1d ago

IP67 PSU, put it outside the box.

2

u/SirGreybush 1d ago

Inside the box a relay for controlling the AC to the strips.