Ideas for repackaging cooled DSLR

[LarryC]

Over the winter I TEC/water cooled my modded Canon 600D and it works well, giving me sensor delta Ts of over 40F (~20C).  Following Gina's trailblazing, I've since been working on removing all the unnecessary pieces and parts of  another camera, a 550D.  Now that I have an idea of how much I can strip off a camera,  I plan to strip the 600D and mount it and its TEC and TEC controller in a plastic or aluminum box of some sort.  The problem is that to fit everything, I need a box about 5" x 5" x 3"  (~13cm x 13cm x8cm), but I can't find anything near enough to those dimensions.  This would be a perfect use for a 3D printer, but I don't have access to one.  Does anyone have any ideas where I might find something that might work?

 

For anyone interested, here's the current "finished" cooled DSLR:

 

 

[Joseki]

Hi, maybe you could make one using thick acrylic/perspex sheet? 

[Gina]

Or acetal sheet.

[LarryC]

Thanks.  If I can't find a nice lightweight plastic or aluminum enclosure online that fits but isn't excessively large, I'll probably make it from acrylic, since I have a bunch in my shop.  Though I may try thin ABS material, but I don't have as much experience welding ABS.  The acrylic weight does begin to add up and I would most likely have to paint the inside and probably outside to make it light proof, so I don't think this would be the ideal case material, but it may be my best option. 

 

Larry

[Gina]

You can solvent weld ABS with acetone - I find this works very well.  For joints where there isn't perfectly flat surfaces and contact I use a solution of ABS in acetone as a glue.  Although I have a 3D printer (3 in fact) there are some items that are easier to produce in two or more parts and glue them together - either due to size or because of complicated shape.

[Dave_D]

how bout this? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ABS-BLACK-PLASTIC-ELECTRONICS-PROJECT-BOX-ENCLOSURE-177-X-120-X-83MM-/190937721363?hash=item2c74c66a13 it's 5x7x3

i got one and they're fairly sturdy

[Dave_D]

finally got my finger out and started my camera rebuild. only got the coma corrector fitted so far though. just uses compression by screwing into my t-adaptor. gonna add usb and power sockets and fit an arduino lcd to the back to monitor the peltier and whatnot.

 

got these ordered... 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/T-Bar-Stainless-Steel-Kitchen-Cabinet-Cupboard-Door-Handles-Drawer-Pulls-Knobs-/181722761993?var=&hash=item2a4f854b09:m:ma_Caqfxu3fMWxWGTcvTpug

they'll look quite snazzy with the lcd sat between them on the back 

[madjock72]

LarryC here in newcastle we have a Makers group that for about a ten pounds a month you can use the 3D printer and print your own parts at low cost plus enlist the help of like minded people to help and give a hand to other people.

http://www.makerspace.org.uk/

 

[Dave_D]

http://vidmg.photobucket.com/albums/v369/vanityassassin/VID_20160601_194525_zpsre9jjapu.mp4

taking shape... time to rip the dSLR to bits

[Dave_D]

Sorry to dump this in this thread, but can anyone confirm that the 4 wires soldered to the motherboard can just be cut?

[Dave_D]

Never mind... found it in Ginas uber useful threads

[Gina]

Glad to help

[Dave_D]

i think i killed my camera

[Gina]

Oh dear, I hope not!

[Dave_D]

did the solder bridges, even checked with a magnifying glass... put the ribbon back in, and nothing... reconnected the lcd, nothing... there's 8v at the terminals i soldered on for external power so that's not the problem.

not sure if this is right, but i'm showing a short between X and Y in this image

[Gina]

I don't think so but I'll check - back shortly

[Gina]

Almost certain from looking at my photos but I'll see if I can find the hardware and check.  I think your problem could be solder bridges - one or both as shown in anotated copy of your photo attached.

[Dave_D]

That isnt my ribbon btw, i grabbed it off another thread just to show the x and y

[Gina]

OIC - well, you could still look for solder bridges.

[Dave_D]

this one is mine

[Gina]

Looks alright.

[Dave_D]

completely redid the soldering... even cleaned between the tracks at magnification and nothing... i guess that's that

[Gina]

Have you checked all those dreaded printed ribbon cable connections?  That's a prime cause of cameras not working.

[Dave_D]

IT'S ALIVE!!!!!!

2 part problem.

1st was that i must have knocked something when dismantling the case... a complete (everything off down to the chassis) rebuild, and plugging that annoying little switch under the battery flap

happy... is an understatement

[Gina]

Hooray!!!