How can I make this waterproof?

MikeHunt79

MikeHunt79

MikeHunt79

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I've made a small amp. I'm going to use it as a part of a portable boombox type thing for my mp3 player. I know there are loads of commercial units that do this, but I've yet to see one which offers the sound quality and battery runtime I need.

Anyway, piccy:
imgp0968oh0.jpg


It's made from Alu, and the case acts as a heatsink. I plan to use this outdoors, so I need someway of making it waterproof in case it rains... Any suggestions?

(I wasn't really sure what section to post this as this isn't really "home cinema or hifi", but if a mod want to move this, feel free. :) )
 
could try coating it in wax, quick and simple, but not perfect.

Or resin. but that might affect the heat sink, could resin up just the seams etc and leave the middle of the panels bare.
 
Is it going to be permanent or are you going to be pulling plugs in and out all the time?

If the former, just use heat shrink tubing on every connecto with one end split (at the amp body) so its acts like flashing.
 
Butters said:
Is it going to be permanent or are you going to be pulling plugs in and out all the time?

If the former, just use heat shrink tubing on every connecto with one end split (at the amp body) so its acts like flashing.
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I'm gonna be plugging it in and out occasionally, as I sometimes use it in the house with my main speakers... I like the heatshrink idea, I'll give that a go....

Also, the plastic bag idea might work well, as there are no volume controls or anything like that to worry about, so I could plug it all up, but it in a bag, flick the on switch and be done with it. :cool:

It doesn't really get very hot at all, even when turned right up, so heat isn't really going to be a problem...

EDIT: Ikea desk, cheap and wide enough for 2 decks and a mixer. :)
 
MikeHunt79 said:
It doesn't really get very hot at all, even when turned right up, so heat isn't really going to be a problem...
Click to expand...

I was actually joking... but then I don't have the unit in front of me.. If the device requires any sort of air circulation to cool it, that won't be a good idea!

Test it out before going live of course :D
 
Why would you want an amp with a mp3 player?

I'm guessing to use on street corners blasting out either emo music or rap?
 
Teki187 said:
Why would you want an amp with a mp3 player?

I'm guessing to use on street corners blasting out either emo music or rap?
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No instead I'll take it on the bus and play breakcore and gabber at maximum volume... :p ;)

Seriously, I find having some sort of boombox type thing is really handy when working on the car, camping, even when in the shower! It's one of those thing that you don't realise how useful it is until you have one...
=walls= said:
I was actually joking... but then I don't have the unit in front of me.. If the device requires any sort of air circulation to cool it, that won't be a good idea!

Test it out before going live of course :D
Click to expand...
It only gets slightly warm when running it flat out for 10 mins or so, this thing shouldn't generate more than 7W of heat anyway, plus it also has a thermal cutout, so if I seal it all up, it will be fine. :cool:
dustiestrat said:
what about silicon the stuff you seal windows,showers and stuf like that just use it on any openings ?
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Ahh, forgot about that stuff. I may give that a whirl. Maybe hot glue would be good as well, as it can be removed easily if I ever have to take it apart for any reason...
 
You can buy this spray that protects the electronics from water. Cant remember the name of it though.

It only lasts so long though before having to respray it.
 
Stick it in a waterproof plastic box, these usualy have a rubber seal around the lid which is screwed on.

Get a proper heasink and bolt/screw it to the outside of the case sandwiching silicon sealant inbetween the heatsink and the case with a small hole in the box to attach the transistors to the surface from inside.
 
If it produces a bit of heat then that could be a problem as the plastic may melt. You could make a wooden box with a slanted waterproof roof that lifts open?????
 
How about a lid with some rubbery stuff glued around it and dips for cables?

(tried to draw this in paint and failed - had to use fireworks... effort!)

 
Construct a huge egg-shaped contraption and then find a huge Duck and insert the gadget into it's anus before it notices, they don't like this much (And who can blame them!) and will attack you if it sees you sneaking up behind it, place lots of bread on the floor in front of it so it's distracted a bit first. Then trap the huge Duck inside the egg-shaped contraption and leave it there for a few hours, when the huge Duck has been in there for a few hours and you open the egg-shaped contraption it will think it's just been hatched and will see you as it's mother and will follow you around for ever.

Or, you could just put it in a tupperware type box.
 
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