So I want to build a small wall cabinet to house a Meanwell power supply, TE 27 Rx, and the Tx when not in use. It will mount on the outside of a metal garden shed next to the RR. I know about possible issues with the antenna near a metal shed. The antenna will be strung out away from the metal siding. My question is how much ventilation should this have, it will be in the shade from noon on. Was thinking of 2 of those round 3" screened vents (that house builders use) top and bottom. the cabinet would be about 12" wide X 18" high X 10" deep. Maybe add the fan to the Rx as well?
Not being familiar with the power supply you mention , I can only generalise .
You have the right approach with your top and bottom vent holes , the natural updraught will help a lot .
With regard to fans , you need to be aware of interference , computer fans from a good radio shack should fit the bill . You may even be able to power them off the output of the supply you are trying to protect , no bad thing because it can be arranged that the fan is always drawing current from the supply and not getting the supply in a mess trying to self-dissipate heat . The fan acts as a heat shunt in effect .
If you are going for a metal housing , that can be used as a heat sink as well , bolting the supply in intimate contact with one of the outer walls is the best idea from the cooling point of view . The other thing is the provision of a cover , make sure that if you use a stand-off roof that there is a big enough draught through and that the roof is not impeding it too much . Also consider earthing the metal housing , that reduces possible interference .
I have no doubt that others on here will add to this ; it need not be complicated , but remember above all else to provide adequate drainage in the housing and check it regularly . We don’t want you getting electrocuted .
Finally , if anyone reckons this is too simplistic , remember we ain’t all clever and this may help someone .
Randy, just be sure that there is sufficient space around the power supply for adequate circulation, and that the box is open when you are operating. The vent plugs will also aid in keeping the unit cool. That should be sufficient ventilation. Regarding interference with the metal yard shed, depending on where the antenna is in relation to the railroad, the metal shed may not effect transmission signal strength. Placing the antenna away from the shed will certainly negate any of those prospects however and probably a good idea.
Thanks Mike and Rich. Wanted to check anyways. the door will probably be open when I run and I will probably mount the Rx antenna on a wood staff outside the cabinet And BTW the cabinet will face the RR, only a few feet from the edge of the RR. Thanks
Randy,
Definitely add the fan directly on the Rx or make certain there is AMPLE air flow. My club moved ours into the air conditioned room to keep the temps down. Knowing where you are, super hot days on not common, but do occur. Also make sure the box is water tight. The Meanwell does not like water very much. My recommendation would be to mount the box horizontally, with the vents on the ends (sides) and possibly one of the larger whisper fans available at Radio Shack. I would also put some kind of relatively tight doors over the ventilation to help keep the vermin out when not in use.
Best of luck.
Bob C.
Randy,
Do you by any chance have a garden shed or anything like that? I had good luck just having mine in the small wooden building. Kept it out of the weather and I agree with the fan on the receiver. You’ll get good results with all of your wiring for AC and DC going down from the receiver and your antenna going up from the receiver. I just taped mine to a piece of coat hanger, but the different directions stops the electrical interference.
Ric I have one of those metal garden sheds beside the RR where the pool pump, filter and heater are located. Just thought it would be better to build a weatherproof cabinet to hang on the outside for possible radio issues. Run a AC line from the shed to the cabinet, two outlets, one for power supply and the second for electric tools for working on the RR. And then possibliy some sort of a “mast” to mount the TE Rx antenna on.
Randy McDonald said:That'll work. Try to make it "line of site" to the antenna from any place you think you'll be standing. That deal about electrical interference is real, especially with the simple transmissions. I guess that is why so much R&D was put in to developing to stronger signals.
Ric I have one of those metal garden sheds beside the RR where the pool pump, filter and heater are located. Just thought it would be better to build a weatherproof cabinet to hang on the outside for possible radio issues. Run a AC line from the shed to the cabinet, two outlets, one for power supply and the second for electric tools for working on the RR. And then possibliy some sort of a "mast" to mount the TE Rx antenna on.
I use a non metallic cabinet and installed three small vents. On the shelf where the transformer and TE is I put a fan in front of the vent on that shelf. I always have the door open and never had a problem.
I must be extremely lucky with my TE range. I set up the power supply and TE on a shelf in my basement about waist level. I can control track powered trains most anywhere on the layout, including in the front yard where there is a lot of dirt and concrete between me and the TE receiver. I extend the receiver antennae up straight and attach it to the wall with a thumb tack.
However, when I put the same type receiver in a trail car and wrap all but about 6 inches around the car, then extend that last 6" with an RC antennae tube I can only get about 10-20 feet line-of-sight.
Randy, my only caveat for your outdoor cabinet is moisture. Make sure that when you are not using it it is well sealed from the elements.
Randy I have not had any problems with my two TE’s inside this aluminuummmmmmmmm cabinet.
(http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee259/smcgill_pics/Cabinet001.jpg)
I did add more wire to give the antenna ummmphhhh!! I ran them up a wooden stick on the side of the cabinet.
(http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee259/smcgill_pics/Cabinet002.jpg)
When I run trains the door is open. I keep the transmitters in side ( Batt. do not like heat or cold) my house. Sean
Okay after much discussion and lots of helpful hints I have started on a outdoor cabinet. Not quite finished, still have to add weatherstripping, etc. The basic box to be mounted on the exterior of the Pool shed.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/kettle_valley/_forumfiles/IMG_0779.JPG)
The panel for the power supply and TE Rx.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/kettle_valley/_forumfiles/IMG_0782.JPG)
And the 110 volt wiring harness to be installed above the Power supply and RX. The left plug-in is for the power supply and will be controlled by the on/off switch, the right will have power always.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/kettle_valley/_forumfiles/IMG_0783.JPG)
Nice neat work, Randy.
Nice!
Hmmm… That TE RX looks vaguely familiar Looking good Randy!
Randy-
Class act workmanship.
For others not so blessed with construction, consider a bar-b-q housing. Take out the grill and gas distribution system and install the equipment and paint it non-black. Its water tight and looks…uh…like a bar-b-q. I have seen several such installations. Looks OK!
Got some more work done on the cabinet. The power supply mounted and the RX & power outlet. The orange cord on the left plugs into a outlet in the pool shed and the black cord running out the bottom goes to the RR.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/kettle_valley/_forumfiles/IMG_0785.JPG)
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/kettle_valley/_forumfiles/IMG_0786.JPG)
And the door ready for hinges and weatherstripping
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/kettle_valley/_forumfiles/IMG_0789.JPG)
Edit: In the second pic. right side about half up on the cab near the back you see a small grommet where the RX antenna will exit.
What no GFI?
Looks great Randy!
I think he probably ha the GFI in the pool shed. Looks great Randy.
Can I make one suggestion? OK, thanks. Change the plug end on the line going to the railroad to something that can not be plugged into a 110V outlet. It makes for a very bad day when that happens. Years ago my dad thought it would be handy to wire his HiFi speakers with plugs to make them easy to move. Being cheap, he used standard ac plugs and sockets from the hardware store. One day someone else (me perhaps?) plugged one of his speakers into the wall outlet. It made a really loud 60 cycle hum for a split second then the magic smoke leaked out :o
TOO FUNNY JON! You might have a point there. Never thought of that. I was just going cheap and easy with the plugs. That would certainly keep our cats from shitting on my RR.