On Saturday, July 16, 2011 10:03:15 PM Dave did opine:
> Hi Guys..
>
> I am considering using EMC2 (or part of it) in a mobile application that
> defines the term "rugged".
>
> The application itself is pretty simple so I am not worried about the
> software. I am worried about the survival of the hardware.
>
> The equipment will be mounted in a box on a piece of drilling
> equipment. Power will be supplied via a diesel engine driving an
> alternator into a set of batteries.
>
> The drilling equipment is rotary - no impact - so the vibration should
> be reasonable if I shock mount the control panel. However the machine
> will only be used once in a while.
>
> This machine will live outside year around. When it is not being
> used, the machine will be un-powered so I have no way of putting a panel
> heater in the box to keep out condensation. I'm thinking about using
> some type of desiccant system?? to keep the humidity down in the panels
> to avoid a condensation problem.
>
> I'm really not concerned about the higher range of temperatures since
> there will be a roof over the control panel so I should be able to keep
> the sun off it. I am mostly concerned about the low end of the
> temperature range. They could be
> using this drilling machine in temps as low as 20 degrees F or so.
> They will expect to be able to start up the engine, run it for 5 minutes
> or so and then flip on the controls and have them function properly.
> This might be after the machine has been
> sitting for a few months outside in places like the Rocky Mountains in
> Colorado....
>
> I'd like to use as many off the shelf devices as possible - PC boards
> etc... if possible.
>
> Being a typical customer, they want to keep the costs down but they also
> want it to work and operate reliably.
>
> I've had good luck using conventional industrial controls on machines
> that operate outside, but I have always been able to include a panel
> heater to minimize condensation issues.
>
> Do you guys have any suggestions?
>
> Dave
>
I'd go with the desiccant setup, but would rig it so when there is power,
the desiccant would be vented to the outside, with a heater good for about
250F to recycle the desiccant each time the power is available.
We use such rigs to keep dry air in rigid coaxial lines. Loaded with teeny
solenoid valves that reroute the plumbing when it is time to recycle the
desiccant.
For this scene, I'd just put it in a container that is largely open to the
inside of the housing, like a S. S. bowl, but when power becomes available,
open 2 vents so air can move across the container, and fire up a fan at the
same time to exhaust the moisture driven off by the heat. That should keep
20 lbs it in decent shape if power was available for 4+ hours per use over
a year I'd think. You'll need enough heat to hit the boiling point even in
10F weather though.
Any danger of it being jostled enough to spill the bowl?
Cheers, gene
--
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soap, ballot, jury, and ammo. Please use in that order."
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