Drilling Junction box for Potentiomer and Cable glands

How to make your own junction box.

Why do i need one

• Makes things look better
• Provides strain relief to wires
  
• Secure connection. safe
  
• waterproof if you design it correct

All you need is a drill, junction box, cable glands/potentiometer and spade bits


Choosing Cable glands
PG7 is too small for HLG cables, may work for DC connections.
PG9 will fit most meanwell driver cables. For some thicker gauge Driver cables you may need PG11
Check cable diameter in chart to see what cable gland will work for you.

Driver datasheet should have cable type



Lookup cable diameter on google. Here is something i found
http://www.powercord.com.hk/flexible/flexible1-5.pdf


Once you know the cable diameter you can use a PG cable gland chart to see what size suits


Where to buy cable gland

• Amazon and Ebay
  
• https://www.google.com/search?q=PG9+cable+gland&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8#q=PG9+cable+gland&tbm=shop&*
• https://www.adafruit.com/product/761

Left - plastic PG7 and PG9
Right - metal PG7 and PG11


Potentiometer
Read up dimming thread to see what value of potentiometer you need.
https://www.rollitup.org/t/meanwell-led-drivers-3-in-1-dimming-function.838760/
they are available on ebay amazon had potentiometer and knobs. 1/4 watt linear taper
digikey and other Distributors have them too

Where to buy Plastic junction box
Search for 'plastic junction box' or 'plastic project box' on Amazon and ebay
https://www.google.com/search?q=plastic+junction+box

5/16 inches
I have a 1/4 watt potentiometer. Diameter may depend on type of potentiometer. may have M8 thread size. Fits ok
Edit: ideal way would be to use 1/4 inches drill and them use M8 tap to tap the hole for Potentiometer with M8 thread





For PG 7
Need 12.5 mm or 0.492126 inches
1/2 inches (12.7mm) fits PG7 fine


For PG 9
Need 15.2mm or 0.5984252 inches
9/16 inches (14.2875) fits PG 9 tight
5/8 inches (15.875) fits PG 9 ok


For PG 11
Need 18.3mm or 0.7204724 inches
3/4 inches (19.05mm) fits PG 11 ok

I actually prefer a uni bit (step-bit) for plastic.

Thanks for taking the time in your busy day to do this, I'm sure plenty of guys will find this info handy.

knowledge bomb incoming

thanks robin!

nevergoodenuf said:

I actually prefer a uni bit (step-bit) for plastic.

Click to expand...

they seem to finish better its easy to twist a bit and peel off a giant chunk of plastic with the spade bits (esp iff theyre dull as hell from drilling tons of holes in wood already)

somebody should make a thin-gauge hole saw for hobby use, you could use a dremel even

Good Job Robin