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[DPRG] semi-OT: sealed case VS conformal coating
Subject: [DPRG] semi-OT: sealed case VS conformal coating
From: Sluggy!
sluggy9912 at swbell.net
Date: Wed Jan 9 15:22:10 CST 2008
Greetings, all!
I am looking to convert a motorcycle to EFI and one of
the problems with a) DIY EFI and b) motorcycles is
protecting the circuit board.
Before I get to my question, some background. See
http://www.megasquirt.info for copious details; btw,
do NOT go to megasquirt.*COM* in the presence of
anyone easily (or not so easily) offended. Anyway, the
MegaSquirt unit is an open source electronic fuel
injection controller that is quite purposefully
extremely generic. This requires lots of tinkering and
experimenting, so I'm on board for it. See also
http://www.msruns.com/ for lots of inspiration and
real world problem solving from people who have made
it work.
So, to get to my question.... the unit, as designed,
is intended to be in the passenger compartment of a
car, with wiring that traverses the firewall to
connect to the various sensors and actuators in the
engine bay. On my bike (and in fact, most bikes) there
is no equivalent safe place for an exposed circuit
board.
The market has responded to this need with a nifty
prebuilt controller that is substantially smaller and
in a sealed case, but that is $150 more than the
u-build-it kit and since the rest of it is going to
add up, too, I'd like to at least try it with the kit
first anyway. To that end, I ordered one today.
When I said earlier that there is no equivalent safe
place on my bike, that's not 100% true, but the place
where the box will fit is under the rear of the seat.
It is probably safe-ish from rain, but it's very dusty
in there and a piece of paper (proof of insurance)
kept n there is all wrinkly as if it's been wet,
though probably from condensation rather than a
deluge.
So, I need to protect the electronics. Some people on
the MegaSquirt forums have used conformal coating.
Does anyone here have experience and/or suggestions
for DIY conformal coatings?
My other option will be to enclose it in a sealed
container, which I'm kinda on board with anyway,
coating or not. Unfortunately, a sealed box will
likely be larger than the 6x6x1 space I have under the
seat.
Thanks,
Sluggy!
---
"The idea that unicycling is intrinsically funny does not explain the findings." Professor Sam Shuster.
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