Need a handheld enclosure for 16x2 LCD

[mpm]

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!!

 

[whit3rd]

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?

 

[mpm]

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.

 

[John Robertson]

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!!

 

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.

 

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>

 

[Joe Chisolm]

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

 

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.

 

[sdy]

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.

 

[mpm]

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

 

[Michael Terrell]

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!!

Pactec has some nice enclosures. Bezels are hard to find, unlike 20-30 years ago when LED displays were common. They can be 3D printed, for small quantities. Here is an example with a 9V battery compartment:

https://www.pactecenclosures.com/product-detail.php?productid=163&seriesid=62&classid=27

I have a couple of their TR series.

I also have a couple of these:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/293461593539
86-Plastic-project-box-enclosure-case-for-diy-LCD1602-meter-tester-with-buttN-sc

No battery compartment, but they have a hole in the back to run wires into them. It shouldn't be too hard to use the two slotted mounting holes to retain a battery cover, and they are cheap, at around $2.50 each.

 

[Jasen Betts]

On 2020-03-09, mpm <mpmillard@aol.com> wrote:
> Anybody know of a good source for handheld enclosures to fit a standard 16x2 line backlit LCD display?

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32949006436.html

rectangular shape, it has an opening for a 1602 display
and below that three moulded buttons. there are keyholes
in the back for wall-mount. It looks like possilby intended
for an electronic thermostat.

Very cheap but fails most of your other requirements.

> Environmental is not an issue: Even IP42 would be OK.

IP42 seems ambitious on a device with a battery compartment and an
RJ45, passing IP42 with a 1602 display would mean a window in front of
the display or some sort of verandah.

--
Jasen.

 

[Dan Purgert]

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA256

mpm wrote:

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.

That being said, how many "hobbyists" actually stick things in
(purchased) enclosures? Everything I happen to see on YT is a 3d
printed thing. That might explain why you're having trouble finding
what you want as a product that's already available.



-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----

iQEzBAEBCAAdFiEEBcqaUD8uEzVNxUrujhHd8xJ5ooEFAl5ndhQACgkQjhHd8xJ5
ooGWWQf/Qbxno3cMtMAPr2ZMn+VPj/Av35qZp1bJj2is0AFWR/D6Ba03Ceks8oqL
UyD1huqDy8NVKD7Y1O8mgsV6yQKCj2PRTmXUw4bDHcdwHvlK3DnL+RmHOQng7SuB
5vGDRtULElk9gpqxVCLcvcWkRJTAZKAh7Z1iZN3KDF9krZIuyjPqzFqlX9Psinu/
FGtLxRsOTMdk+L2zrp4T83HkqB8wnnlSABcL9X2c98qxTe4oc5C4LDqEacQQhYml
Fsxvaqk5ZRJNHgKHv5NfPzaZw1xuI9VcJaeHqCAum4uXyZkIssQpXmzYXa5za58j
sIzAyj8ce7PhL4XxXyoBdJUIhhW9sw==
=ggx0
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

--
|_|O|_|
|_|_|O| Github: https://github.com/dpurgert
|O|O|O| PGP: 05CA 9A50 3F2E 1335 4DC5 4AEE 8E11 DDF3 1279 A281

 

[mpm]

On Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at 2:32:34 AM UTC-4, Jasen Betts wrote:

On 2020-03-09, mpm wrote:
Anybody know of a good source for handheld enclosures to fit a standard 16x2 line backlit LCD display?

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32949006436.html

rectangular shape, it has an opening for a 1602 display
and below that three moulded buttons. there are keyholes
in the back for wall-mount. It looks like possilby intended
for an electronic thermostat.

Very cheap but fails most of your other requirements.

Environmental is not an issue: Even IP42 would be OK.

IP42 seems ambitious on a device with a battery compartment and an
RJ45, passing IP42 with a 1602 display would mean a window in front of
the display or some sort of verandah.

--
Jasen.

Thanks, that's actually rather nice-looking. (for what it is.)

Plan-B might just be to get some graphic overlays from JRPANEL.COM and just cut a standard box to fit.

 

On Monday, 9 March 2020 23:38:48 UTC, Joe Chisolm wrote:

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.

probably quicker than finding just what you want. Print in ABS & acetone smooth.

 

[Gunther Mannigel]

Am 09.03.2020 um 20:38 schrieb mpm:

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.

Anyway, if you guys know of some, I'd really appreciate it!
Quantity: Maybe 10 a month.

How about
https://www.okw.com/en/Plastic-enclosures/Hand-Held-Boxes.htm

cheers
Gunther