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Water tight DC power jack?

Hello,
I am trying to locate a barrel style connector, SMT or right angle
that is sealed from the inside so that if water enters the barrel it
will not leak to the rest of the electronics module. I will seal the
outside of the connector by using a gasket between it and the plastic
enclosure. It would be ideal to be as small as possible (less than
5mm x 5mm desired), but any and all ideas will be helpful. This will
be used on a small device which will be exposed to water while running
off battery, but not while the charge port is mated (connector
inserted). If you have some alternative suggestions, any other 2 pin
connector will be possible so long as it is sealed as described above.
Thank you.
Chris
 
J

Jeff Liebermann

Jan 1, 1970
0
[email protected] hath wroth:
I am trying to locate a barrel style connector, SMT or right angle
that is sealed from the inside so that if water enters the barrel it
will not leak to the rest of the electronics module.

An IP6x rated connector is minimally waterproof.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IP_Code>
For example, at IP68 rating:
<http://www.bulgin.co.uk/Products/Buccaneer/Buccaneer.html>
There are plenty more to chose from. Just search Google for "IP68
power connector".
I will seal the
outside of the connector by using a gasket between it and the plastic
enclosure. It would be ideal to be as small as possible (less than
5mm x 5mm desired), but any and all ideas will be helpful. This will
be used on a small device which will be exposed to water while running
off battery, but not while the charge port is mated (connector
inserted). If you have some alternative suggestions, any other 2 pin
connector will be possible so long as it is sealed as described above.

Be careful you don't turn the enclosure into a water pump. Going from
warm air, to cold water, will cause the air inside the enclosure to
drop in pressure, thus creating a partial vacuum. That will suck
water into the enclosure even through the best rubber seal.
 
J

John Fields

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hello,
I am trying to locate a barrel style connector, SMT or right angle
that is sealed from the inside so that if water enters the barrel it
will not leak to the rest of the electronics module.
 
E

Ecnerwal

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hello,
I am trying to locate a barrel style connector, SMT or right angle
that is sealed from the inside so that if water enters the barrel it
will not leak to the rest of the electronics module. I will seal the
outside of the connector by using a gasket between it and the plastic
enclosure. It would be ideal to be as small as possible (less than
5mm x 5mm desired), but any and all ideas will be helpful. This will
be used on a small device which will be exposed to water while running
off battery, but not while the charge port is mated (connector
inserted). If you have some alternative suggestions, any other 2 pin
connector will be possible so long as it is sealed as described above.
Thank you.
Chris

I'd suggest a more complicated alternative, but it may not suit you as
it's more complicated. Connectors and water (particularly salt water,
but this may not be your use) are a combination that makes for may
headaches in long term use. For a actual DC connection, seek out a style
of connector which has a "blank-off-plug" or cap to keep the electrical
contacts dry when the connector is not inserted - or, for your described
situation, simply provide a port or plug to cover your connector and use
any old connector, with the port or plug sealing it off. However, seals
can and do fail, as an underwater photographer knows only too well.

What I would prefer (based on my experience as an underwater
photographer) is an arrangement with a totally sealed case, where your
power is supplied as AC by "half a transformer" outside the case, and
magnetically coupled through the case to half a transformer inside the
case, then rectified to DC. This has no seals or contacts to fail, other
than the seal or weld of the entire case.
 
R

Rich Grise

Jan 1, 1970
0
I'd suggest a more complicated alternative, but it may not suit you as
it's more complicated. Connectors and water (particularly salt water,
but this may not be your use) are a combination that makes for may
headaches in long term use. For a actual DC connection, seek out a style
of connector which has a "blank-off-plug" or cap to keep the electrical
contacts dry when the connector is not inserted - or, for your described
situation, simply provide a port or plug to cover your connector and use
any old connector, with the port or plug sealing it off. However, seals
can and do fail, as an underwater photographer knows only too well.

What I would prefer (based on my experience as an underwater
photographer) is an arrangement with a totally sealed case, where your
power is supplied as AC by "half a transformer" outside the case, and
magnetically coupled through the case to half a transformer inside the
case, then rectified to DC. This has no seals or contacts to fail, other
than the seal or weld of the entire case.

I'm kind of surprised that no one has suggested filling the enclosure
with oil, such that there's no air to compress to let the water in.

Of course, that depends on the equipment being able to be submerged
in oil.

Good Luck!
Rich
 
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