Anybody know of a good source for handheld enclosures to fit a standard 16x2 line backlit LCD display? Preferably one that also has a 9-volt battery compartment. Plastic is preferred. (Metal is also OK) And preferably one that comes complete with a bezel. This will be for a generic (temporary-use) handheld-type tester for something that runs on an RS-485 loop. So, a place to put QTY-(1) RJ-45 type jack would be ideal. The PCB will be smaller than the display, so anything that you can get a decent grip on will be plenty big. Environmental is not an issue: Even IP42 would be OK. These 16x2 displays seem to be all over the place (Arduino projects, Raspberry Pi's, etc..) I'm surprised I'm having any trouble finding an enclosure. Anyway, if you guys know of some, I'd really appreciate it! Quantity: Maybe 10 a month. Thanks!!
Need a handheld enclosure for 16x2 LCD
Started by ●March 9, 2020
Reply by ●March 9, 20202020-03-09
On Monday, March 9, 2020 at 12:38:36 PM UTC-7, mpm wrote:> Anybody know of a good source for handheld enclosures to fit a standard 16x2 line backlit LCD display? > > Preferably one that also has a 9-volt battery compartment.> Quantity: Maybe 10 a month.If you think bigger quantity, like in the millions, can this be ported to Bluetooth (or IRDA, or USB) and the 'handheld' item become a cellphone or old Palm device?
Reply by ●March 9, 20202020-03-09
On Monday, March 9, 2020 at 3:57:42 PM UTC-4, whit3rd wrote:> On Monday, March 9, 2020 at 12:38:36 PM UTC-7, mpm wrote: > > Anybody know of a good source for handheld enclosures to fit a standard 16x2 line backlit LCD display? > > > > Preferably one that also has a 9-volt battery compartment. > > > Quantity: Maybe 10 a month. > > If you think bigger quantity, like in the millions, can this be ported to Bluetooth (or IRDA, or USB) > and the 'handheld' item become a cellphone or old Palm device?Then we'd have to write an app, and maintain it every time some new upgrade is released. Nice idea, but "No thanks". :) I'm a big fan of IrDA, but a lot of phones don't support it. And again, that puts us back in a developer's seat, which I'd rather avoid. We already have RS-485 on the product. This is basically a tester for the tech who has to install the system (to avoid requiring them to breakout a laptop and RS-485 adapter.) I know... old school, but it works.
Reply by ●March 9, 20202020-03-09
On 2020/03/09 12:38 p.m., mpm wrote:> Anybody know of a good source for handheld enclosures to fit a standard 16x2 line backlit LCD display? > > Preferably one that also has a 9-volt battery compartment. > Plastic is preferred. (Metal is also OK) > And preferably one that comes complete with a bezel. > > > This will be for a generic (temporary-use) handheld-type tester for something that runs on an RS-485 loop. So, a place to put QTY-(1) RJ-45 type jack would be ideal.Hammond Manufacturing makes a great assortment of both hand-held and desktop cases, both plastic and metal. Readily available at the major and minor suppliers... http://www.hammondmfg.com/ A nice handheld case is this one: https://www.hammfg.com/electronics/small-case/plastic/1553 Aurduino, etc. project cases: https://www.hammfg.com/electronics/small-case/development-board John :-#)#> > The PCB will be smaller than the display, so anything that you can get a decent grip on will be plenty big. Environmental is not an issue: Even IP42 would be OK. > > These 16x2 displays seem to be all over the place (Arduino projects, Raspberry Pi's, etc..) I'm surprised I'm having any trouble finding an enclosure. > > Anyway, if you guys know of some, I'd really appreciate it! > Quantity: Maybe 10 a month. > Thanks!! >
Reply by ●March 9, 20202020-03-09
mpm <mpmillard@aol.com> wrote in news:54d34234-bc0d-43e3-9407- 7538e31bac5c@googlegroups.com:> Preferably one that also has a 9-volt battery compartment.Nawww... you want one that handles two 18650s. 9 volt batteries are so... Radio Shack, dude.
Reply by ●March 9, 20202020-03-09
DecadentLinuxUserNumeroUno@decadence.org wrote in news:r46hda$dk4$1 @gioia.aioe.org:> mpm <mpmillard@aol.com> wrote in news:54d34234-bc0d-43e3-9407- > 7538e31bac5c@googlegroups.com: > >> Preferably one that also has a 9-volt battery compartment. > > Nawww... you want one that handles two 18650s. > > 9 volt batteries are so... Radio Shack, dude. >Only need to modify the lid. IP67 level sealing too. <http://www.mediafire.com/file/d6miq4jgoexf6z4/18650_box.pdf/file>
Reply by ●March 9, 20202020-03-09
On Mon, 09 Mar 2020 12:38:30 -0700, mpm wrote:> Anybody know of a good source for handheld enclosures to fit a standard > 16x2 line backlit LCD display? > > Preferably one that also has a 9-volt battery compartment. > Plastic is preferred. (Metal is also OK) > And preferably one that comes complete with a bezel. > > > This will be for a generic (temporary-use) handheld-type tester for > something that runs on an RS-485 loop. So, a place to put QTY-(1) RJ-45 > type jack would be ideal. > > The PCB will be smaller than the display, so anything that you can get a > decent grip on will be plenty big. Environmental is not an issue: Even > IP42 would be OK. > > These 16x2 displays seem to be all over the place (Arduino projects, > Raspberry Pi's, etc..) I'm surprised I'm having any trouble finding an > enclosure. > > Anyway, if you guys know of some, I'd really appreciate it! > Quantity: Maybe 10 a month. > Thanks!!At that qty 3d print the box to what ever specs and shape you need. Hammond boxes will probably run you north of $10 each. -- Chisolm Texas-American
Reply by ●March 9, 20202020-03-09
Joe Chisolm <jchisolm6@earthlink.net> wrote in news:g4idnU1a4OXjTvvDnZ2dnUU7-YednZ2d@earthlink.com:> On Mon, 09 Mar 2020 12:38:30 -0700, mpm wrote: > >> Anybody know of a good source for handheld enclosures to fit a >> standard 16x2 line backlit LCD display? >> >> Preferably one that also has a 9-volt battery compartment. >> Plastic is preferred. (Metal is also OK) >> And preferably one that comes complete with a bezel. >> >> >> This will be for a generic (temporary-use) handheld-type tester >> for something that runs on an RS-485 loop. So, a place to put >> QTY-(1) RJ-45 type jack would be ideal. >> >> The PCB will be smaller than the display, so anything that you >> can get a decent grip on will be plenty big. Environmental is >> not an issue: Even IP42 would be OK. >> >> These 16x2 displays seem to be all over the place (Arduino >> projects, Raspberry Pi's, etc..) I'm surprised I'm having any >> trouble finding an enclosure. >> >> Anyway, if you guys know of some, I'd really appreciate it! >> Quantity: Maybe 10 a month. >> Thanks!! > > At that qty 3d print the box to what ever specs and shape > you need. Hammond boxes will probably run you north of > $10 each. > >He said ten a month, not ten each. These days $10 each sounds like it would be sure to be super cheaply built as well. A solid, hobbed out box and seal. Keep the electronics and the battery safe and dry. Yeah... that's the ticket. And I think china made 25 for us pretty quick turn and pretty cheap. I cannot remember the price. email on a different box. It was 5 years ago.
Reply by ●March 9, 20202020-03-09
On Monday, March 9, 2020 at 3:38:36 PM UTC-4, mpm wrote:> Anybody know of a good source for handheld enclosures to fit a standard 16x2 line backlit LCD display? > > Preferably one that also has a 9-volt battery compartment. > Plastic is preferred. (Metal is also OK) > And preferably one that comes complete with a bezel. > > > This will be for a generic (temporary-use) handheld-type tester for something that runs on an RS-485 loop. So, a place to put QTY-(1) RJ-45 type jack would be ideal. > > The PCB will be smaller than the display, so anything that you can get a decent grip on will be plenty big. Environmental is not an issue: Even IP42 would be OK. > > These 16x2 displays seem to be all over the place (Arduino projects, Raspberry Pi's, etc..) I'm surprised I'm having any trouble finding an enclosure. > > Anyway, if you guys know of some, I'd really appreciate it! > Quantity: Maybe 10 a month. > Thanks!!Unprotected 18650 batteries do not have an electronic circuit in the cell packaging. Because of this, there is always a danger of over heating, short circuiting, or over discharging. Unprotected batteries are also much lower in price.
Reply by ●March 9, 20202020-03-09
On Monday, March 9, 2020 at 4:35:57 PM UTC-4, mpm wrote: I found these two on Pac-Tec. I don't think either one of them is the correct size opening, but I can probably make it work? The volume isn't there to do a full-on build, but maybe that's the answer? I'm still a bit shocked there isn't something out there already, given how popular these little 16x2's are with the hobbyists. https://www.pactecenclosures.com/product-detail.php?productid=98&seriesid=55&classid=27 https://www.pactecenclosures.com/product-detail.php?productid=95&seriesid=54&classid=27
