Non-metalic NEMA box--Observatory

W

W. eWatson

Guest
My observatory story continues. I've been getting some tips from a guy
in Hawaii about how to proceed over the last 4 months. I finally decided
to hire him to build some of the components in HI. He will then ship
them to me, and I will do the installation, perhaps with an aid of a
licensed electrician.

Right now I'm buy the parts that he will need. He needs two NEMA
non-metallic boxes that are about 2'x2'x8". Ideally, it would be good if
I could find a place in HI that carries them. That we reduce shipment
there. This morning I've called Grainger, ZORO, Graybar, and some
suppliers in HI. Haven't tried Platt.

So far the biggest box anyone can come up with is 18"x12"x8.7". Some
ofthese boxes are selling at around $1000. Strangely, ZORO's is around
$200-250. I guess my inexperience is at play here. I need to call the
fellow to get some better details what he's after, and why that 2'x2'x8"
request seems out of the cards.

Anyway, I'm just throwing this msg out to the group for comments. $1000!???

Strangely, when I decided to hire the guy, I found two more people like
him that do observatory work. I'm sticking with HI though. They all do
high quality work.
 
On 9/24/2012 3:17 PM, W. eWatson wrote:
My observatory story continues. I've been getting some tips from a guy
in Hawaii about how to proceed over the last 4 months. I finally decided
to hire him to build some of the components in HI. He will then ship
them to me, and I will do the installation, perhaps with an aid of a
licensed electrician.

Right now I'm buy the parts that he will need. He needs two NEMA
non-metallic boxes that are about 2'x2'x8". Ideally, it would be good if
I could find a place in HI that carries them. That we reduce shipment
there. This morning I've called Grainger, ZORO, Graybar, and some
suppliers in HI. Haven't tried Platt.

So far the biggest box anyone can come up with is 18"x12"x8.7". Some
ofthese boxes are selling at around $1000. Strangely, ZORO's is around
$200-250. I guess my inexperience is at play here. I need to call the
fellow to get some better details what he's after, and why that 2'x2'x8"
request seems out of the cards.

Anyway, I'm just throwing this msg out to the group for comments. $1000!???

Strangely, when I decided to hire the guy, I found two more people like
him that do observatory work. I'm sticking with HI though. They all do
high quality work.
Click to expand...
That is a strange size. The cost not only depends on the size but the
NEMA class. Ask him what class he needs and to explain that size.

Automation Direct has a good supply of enclosures.

Tom
 
On Mon, 24 Sep 2012 12:17:42 -0700, "W. eWatson"
<wolftracks@invalid.com> wrote:

My observatory story continues. I've been getting some tips from a guy
in Hawaii about how to proceed over the last 4 months. I finally decided
to hire him to build some of the components in HI. He will then ship
them to me, and I will do the installation, perhaps with an aid of a
licensed electrician.

Right now I'm buy the parts that he will need. He needs two NEMA
non-metallic boxes that are about 2'x2'x8". Ideally, it would be good if
I could find a place in HI that carries them. That we reduce shipment
there. This morning I've called Grainger, ZORO, Graybar, and some
suppliers in HI. Haven't tried Platt.

So far the biggest box anyone can come up with is 18"x12"x8.7". Some
ofthese boxes are selling at around $1000. Strangely, ZORO's is around
$200-250. I guess my inexperience is at play here. I need to call the
fellow to get some better details what he's after, and why that 2'x2'x8"
request seems out of the cards.

Anyway, I'm just throwing this msg out to the group for comments. $1000!???

Strangely, when I decided to hire the guy, I found two more people like
him that do observatory work. I'm sticking with HI though. They all do
high quality work.
Click to expand...
Hammond makes a wide selection of NEMA boxes:
http://www.hammfg.com/electrical

Why not ask him to get the boxes? He knows what sizes he can work
with, and what suppliers are available there.

--
Peter Bennett, VE7CEI
peterbb (at) telus.net
GPS and NMEA info: http://vancouver-webpages.com/peter
Vancouver Power Squadron: http://vancouver.powersquadron.ca
 
On Mon, 24 Sep 2012 12:17:42 -0700, "W. eWatson"
<wolftracks@invalid.com> wrote:

My observatory story continues. I've been getting some tips from a guy
in Hawaii about how to proceed over the last 4 months. I finally decided
to hire him to build some of the components in HI. He will then ship
them to me, and I will do the installation, perhaps with an aid of a
licensed electrician.

Right now I'm buy the parts that he will need. He needs two NEMA
non-metallic boxes that are about 2'x2'x8". Ideally, it would be good if
I could find a place in HI that carries them. That we reduce shipment
there. This morning I've called Grainger, ZORO, Graybar, and some
suppliers in HI. Haven't tried Platt.

So far the biggest box anyone can come up with is 18"x12"x8.7". Some
ofthese boxes are selling at around $1000. Strangely, ZORO's is around
$200-250. I guess my inexperience is at play here. I need to call the
fellow to get some better details what he's after, and why that 2'x2'x8"
request seems out of the cards.

Anyway, I'm just throwing this msg out to the group for comments. $1000!???

Strangely, when I decided to hire the guy, I found two more people like
him that do observatory work. I'm sticking with HI though. They all do
high quality work.
Click to expand...
Tried Hoffman?


--

John Larkin Highland Technology Inc
www.highlandtechnology.com jlarkin at highlandtechnology dot com

Precision electronic instrumentation
Picosecond-resolution Digital Delay and Pulse generators
Custom timing and laser controllers
Photonics and fiberoptic TTL data links
VME analog, thermocouple, LVDT, synchro, tachometer
Multichannel arbitrary waveform generators
 
On 9/24/2012 7:28 PM, John Larkin wrote:
On Mon, 24 Sep 2012 12:17:42 -0700, "W. eWatson"
wolftracks@invalid.com> wrote:

My observatory story continues. I've been getting some tips from a guy
in Hawaii about how to proceed over the last 4 months. I finally decided
to hire him to build some of the components in HI. He will then ship
them to me, and I will do the installation, perhaps with an aid of a
licensed electrician.

Right now I'm buy the parts that he will need. He needs two NEMA
non-metallic boxes that are about 2'x2'x8". Ideally, it would be good if
I could find a place in HI that carries them. That we reduce shipment
there. This morning I've called Grainger, ZORO, Graybar, and some
suppliers in HI. Haven't tried Platt.

So far the biggest box anyone can come up with is 18"x12"x8.7". Some
ofthese boxes are selling at around $1000. Strangely, ZORO's is around
$200-250. I guess my inexperience is at play here. I need to call the
fellow to get some better details what he's after, and why that 2'x2'x8"
request seems out of the cards.

Anyway, I'm just throwing this msg out to the group for comments. $1000!???

Strangely, when I decided to hire the guy, I found two more people like
him that do observatory work. I'm sticking with HI though. They all do
high quality work.

Tried Hoffman?


For boxes? Never heard of them.
Click to expand...
 
....
high quality work.

Hammond makes a wide selection of NEMA boxes:
http://www.hammfg.com/electrical

Why not ask him to get the boxes? He knows what sizes he can work
with, and what suppliers are available there.

Presumably I will save money--mainland vs HI, shipping and maybe
Click to expand...
generally higher prices there. Possibly cut down on his time searching
for them. I actually I called four suppliers on Hawaii this morning, and
none had any size close to it. I found ZORO has 18"x18"x9". I just sent
him a msg about that. Maybe 3 boxes 18"-ers !!!
 
After serious thinking W. eWatson wrote :
On 9/24/2012 7:28 PM, John Larkin wrote:
On Mon, 24 Sep 2012 12:17:42 -0700, "W. eWatson"
wolftracks@invalid.com> wrote:

My observatory story continues. I've been getting some tips from a guy
in Hawaii about how to proceed over the last 4 months. I finally decided
to hire him to build some of the components in HI. He will then ship
them to me, and I will do the installation, perhaps with an aid of a
licensed electrician.

Right now I'm buy the parts that he will need. He needs two NEMA
non-metallic boxes that are about 2'x2'x8". Ideally, it would be good if
I could find a place in HI that carries them. That we reduce shipment
there. This morning I've called Grainger, ZORO, Graybar, and some
suppliers in HI. Haven't tried Platt.

So far the biggest box anyone can come up with is 18"x12"x8.7". Some
ofthese boxes are selling at around $1000. Strangely, ZORO's is around
$200-250. I guess my inexperience is at play here. I need to call the
fellow to get some better details what he's after, and why that 2'x2'x8"
request seems out of the cards.

Anyway, I'm just throwing this msg out to the group for comments.
$1000!???

Strangely, when I decided to hire the guy, I found two more people like
him that do observatory work. I'm sticking with HI though. They all do
high quality work.

Tried Hoffman?


For boxes? Never heard of them.
Click to expand...
No wonder you ask a lot of questions ;-)

http://www.hoffmanonline.com/product_catalog/section_index.aspx?cat_1=34&cat_2=159992&SelectCatID=159992&CatId=159992


Or if thats too long Google Google Google Hoffman Boxes

--
John G
 
On 2012-09-24, W. eWatson <wolftracks@invalid.com> wrote:

Right now I'm buy the parts that he will need. He needs two NEMA
non-metallic boxes that are about 2'x2'x8". Ideally, it would be good if
I could find a place in HI that carries them.
Click to expand...
"NEMA" is kind of meaningless on its own like that.

how non-metallic does it need to be?

Is an ABS box with stainless fasteners even acceptable?

Will a 12U 19" rack cabinet a glass front (metal sides and open back) work?


--
⚂⚃ 100% natural

--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: news@netfront.net ---
 
Jasen Betts wrote:
On 2012-09-24, W. eWatson <wolftracks@invalid.com> wrote:

Right now I'm buy the parts that he will need. He needs two NEMA
non-metallic boxes that are about 2'x2'x8". Ideally, it would be good if
I could find a place in HI that carries them.

"NEMA" is kind of meaningless on its own like that.
Click to expand...

How is "National Electrical Manufacturers Association" meaningless?
 
Cydrome Leader wrote:
Michael A. Terrell <mike.terrell@earthlink.net> wrote:

Jasen Betts wrote:

On 2012-09-24, W. eWatson <wolftracks@invalid.com> wrote:

Right now I'm buy the parts that he will need. He needs two NEMA
non-metallic boxes that are about 2'x2'x8". Ideally, it would be good if
I could find a place in HI that carries them.

"NEMA" is kind of meaningless on its own like that.


How is "National Electrical Manufacturers Association" meaningless?

a NEMA enclosure has no meaning by itself. NEMA has more than one
specification for one box, if you weren't aware.
Click to expand...

You're kidding!

What an idiot. His description was adaqute for anyone who has done
industrial electrical work. I always needed steel boxes because of RF.
They are quite common at AM radio stations for the antenna tuner
cabinets, and tower light controls. I still have a few used ones,
somewhere in the shop.
 
Michael A. Terrell <mike.terrell@earthlink.net> wrote:
Jasen Betts wrote:

On 2012-09-24, W. eWatson <wolftracks@invalid.com> wrote:

Right now I'm buy the parts that he will need. He needs two NEMA
non-metallic boxes that are about 2'x2'x8". Ideally, it would be good if
I could find a place in HI that carries them.

"NEMA" is kind of meaningless on its own like that.


How is "National Electrical Manufacturers Association" meaningless?
Click to expand...
a NEMA enclosure has no meaning by itself. NEMA has more than one
specification for one box, if you weren't aware.
 
On 9/25/2012 2:55 AM, Jasen Betts wrote:
On 2012-09-24, W. eWatson <wolftracks@invalid.com> wrote:

Right now I'm buy the parts that he will need. He needs two NEMA
non-metallic boxes that are about 2'x2'x8". Ideally, it would be good if
I could find a place in HI that carries them.

"NEMA" is kind of meaningless on its own like that.

how non-metallic does it need to be?

Is an ABS box with stainless fasteners even acceptable?

Will a 12U 19" rack cabinet a glass front (metal sides and open back) work?


He wants a NEMA non-metallic, and would prefer a "window". If not a
Click to expand...
window then a door with latches.
 
On 9/26/2012 12:26 PM, Michael A. Terrell wrote:
Cydrome Leader wrote:

Michael A. Terrell <mike.terrell@earthlink.net> wrote:

Jasen Betts wrote:

On 2012-09-24, W. eWatson <wolftracks@invalid.com> wrote:

Right now I'm buy the parts that he will need. He needs two NEMA
non-metallic boxes that are about 2'x2'x8". Ideally, it would be good if
I could find a place in HI that carries them.

"NEMA" is kind of meaningless on its own like that.


How is "National Electrical Manufacturers Association" meaningless?

a NEMA enclosure has no meaning by itself. NEMA has more than one
specification for one box, if you weren't aware.


You're kidding!

What an idiot. His description was adaqute for anyone who has done
industrial electrical work. I always needed steel boxes because of RF.
They are quite common at AM radio stations for the antenna tuner
cabinets, and tower light controls. I still have a few used ones,
somewhere in the shop.

I discovered via Wikipedia that there are about 11 types of NEMA boxes.
Click to expand...
I think type 1 is sufficient.
 
On 9/24/2012 10:50 PM, John G wrote:
After serious thinking W. eWatson wrote :
On 9/24/2012 7:28 PM, John Larkin wrote:
On Mon, 24 Sep 2012 12:17:42 -0700, "W. eWatson"
wolftracks@invalid.com> wrote:

My observatory story continues. I've been getting some tips from a guy
in Hawaii about how to proceed over the last 4 months. I finally
decided
to hire him to build some of the components in HI. He will then ship
them to me, and I will do the installation, perhaps with an aid of a
licensed electrician.

Right now I'm buy the parts that he will need. He needs two NEMA
non-metallic boxes that are about 2'x2'x8". Ideally, it would be
good if
I could find a place in HI that carries them. That we reduce shipment
there. This morning I've called Grainger, ZORO, Graybar, and some
suppliers in HI. Haven't tried Platt.

So far the biggest box anyone can come up with is 18"x12"x8.7". Some
ofthese boxes are selling at around $1000. Strangely, ZORO's is around
$200-250. I guess my inexperience is at play here. I need to call the
fellow to get some better details what he's after, and why that
2'x2'x8"
request seems out of the cards.

Anyway, I'm just throwing this msg out to the group for comments.
$1000!???

Strangely, when I decided to hire the guy, I found two more people like
him that do observatory work. I'm sticking with HI though. They all do
high quality work.

Tried Hoffman?


For boxes? Never heard of them.

No wonder you ask a lot of questions ;-)

http://www.hoffmanonline.com/product_catalog/section_index.aspx?cat_1=34&cat_2=159992&SelectCatID=159992&CatId=159992



Or if thats too long Google Google Google Hoffman Boxes

Thanks. That looks worthwhile. I sent them a question about larger boxes.
Click to expand...
 
The builder tells me he can get by with an 18x18x9, but trouble shooting
it might be a problem. In any case, the Hoffman suggestion above looks
promising.
 
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