Boxes or Some Type of Enclosure for DIY lights?

As it seems many of us have used recycled metal boxes and other *stuff* for these DIY/COB lights, and I just read a moment ago about using a no-longer-wanted LED panel to fit with COBs etc..

Leads me to wonder, are there places that you can order pre-made boxes with switches/cords etc?

I can bend AL and make something if I wanted to... IMO, it's a lot of work.

Any ideas/sources??

Why not an old cheap air cooled hood? It's being done.

dbkick said:

Why not an old cheap air cooled hood? It's being done.

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Not a bad idea, I can see that!

I suppose I had envisioned a pre-made box or choice of such, and if it was wired with some switches etc.. a bonus! They sell these LED panels on ebay/amazon for peanuts, there must be a source?

Remove the glass, drop in a sheet of aluminum with holes cut in it and there you go, plenty of room to mount drivers and wtfever else you want and totally air cooled.

I think the first place I saw that type of panel (in an air cooled hood) at solis tek hiled (which never did reach production as far as I know).

Easiest to get blank aluminum boxes..

all it takes is a drill, bits, hole saw, and a metal nipper. Most have the stuff anyway from drilling 4" vents...


https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=bud+aluminum+box&rh=i:aps,k:bud+aluminum+box

Bud Industries sizing chart. Whatever size you like..


http://www.budind.com/view/Aluminum+Enclosure/Aluminum+Chassis

Once you enclosed it, passive cooling might not be a good idea. What do you guys think?

bggrass said:

Once you enclosed it, passive cooling might not be a good idea. What do you guys think?

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The lid comes separate off of amazon. You could get a perforated sheet instead, cut it with metal shears, and screw it in. Holes may not line up, might have to make new holes.

or just leave the lid off..

So easy to add a fan when using a box its hard not to

A metal first aid kit box would probably work well.
Old skinny narrow toolboxes would look cool too

God forbid one of you little %$**&s types in "vented enclosure" into Google . j/k LOL Here's a company that does custom cutouts.
http://www.factorymation.com/Products/Enclosures/
http://factorymation.info/catalog/fmcat_saginaw.pdf

Actually there was a real cool octagon cases at Mouser at one time. Oh yeah, the Internet! Duh.
http://www.mouser.com/Search/Refine.aspx?Keyword=octagon+enclosure


Could of sworn they had bigger ones . Anyway maybe you should also check out the company that makes them,
http://www.hammondmfg.com/

Did someone say "fancier" Optic like case?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BZ2106-silver-Full-Aluminum-Enclosure-mini-AMP-case-PSU-chassis-DAC-box-/161879989004?hash=item25b0cc9b0c:g:L6sAAOSwu-BWO~k0

all ur doing is paying to have worse cooling

just wire properly and use tip ties

dionysus4 said:

all ur doing is paying to have worse cooling

just wire properly and use tip ties

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possibly...but they look nice and all the wires are contained, with connections protected. Pull on the power cord and it comes unplugged from the box, instead of ripping off part of a holder or a soldered connection.