Thoughts/opinions/advice on outdoor enclosure for power/ethernet

[Ri22o]

I am looking to get into projection mapping and for this I would like to run power and ethernet to near my mailbox for where I plan to place the projector enclosure.

I am building and installing an enclosure similar to this one. It would be removable and only require a single extension cord and single ethernet.




I will be running conduit along the driveway, under the sidewalk, and ending near the mailbox. I am hoping to move the neighbor's mailbox next to mine (because it's a pain in the ass to mow around) and will be adding a bed around both.




This is the area I would be working with. I would be looking to bury a receiver for the projector enclosure pole where the star is. The arrow is hopefully a mailbox.



Below are my criteria/thoughts for the use and enclosure sizing. Do I even need an enclosure? Could I just have some external mounted junction boxes (covered by a rock, maybe?)? Where/how would I handle a switch if I add cameras?

• Would want at least an internal double gang outlet
  • Not sure if I would need any power externally
• Ethernet for standard network
  • To connect to the projector enclosure (will have it's own switch inside)
• Ethernet for camera network
  • Considering adding a temporary camera under the projector enclosure to see the show
  • Might add other cameras at the mailbox location (just because, but probably won't)
    • Would require a switch inside the enclosure

Any thoughts on the best way to hide an enclosure? Enclosure sizing? Any other thoughts? Do I just do a couple external junction boxes (maybe covered by a rock) and worry about a switch for additional cameras when/if it ever happens?

 

[mat200]

I am looking to get into projection mapping and for this I would like to run power and ethernet to near my mailbox for where I plan to place the projector enclosure.

I am building and installing an enclosure similar to this one. It would be removable and only require a single extension cord and single ethernet.

View attachment 243193


I will be running conduit along the driveway, under the sidewalk, and ending near the mailbox. I am hoping to move the neighbor's mailbox next to mine (because it's a pain in the ass to mow around) and will be adding a bed around both.

View attachment 243199


This is the area I would be working with. I would be looking to bury a receiver for the projector enclosure pole where the star is. The arrow is hopefully a mailbox.

View attachment 243196

Below are my criteria/thoughts for the use and enclosure sizing. Do I even need an enclosure? Could I just have some external mounted junction boxes (covered by a rock, maybe?)? Where/how would I handle a switch if I add cameras?

• Would want at least an internal double gang outlet
  • Not sure if I would need any power externally
• Ethernet for standard network
  • To connect to the projector enclosure (will have it's own switch inside)
• Ethernet for camera network
  • Considering adding a temporary camera under the projector enclosure to see the show
  • Might add other cameras at the mailbox location (just because, but probably won't)
    • Would require a switch inside the enclosure

Any thoughts on the best way to hide an enclosure? Enclosure sizing? Any other thoughts? Do I just do a couple external junction boxes (maybe covered by a rock) and worry about a switch for additional cameras when/if it ever happens?

Perhaps there's a cable or TELCOM type box you can use ( darn auto fix made TELCOM to welcome )

 

[TonyR]

My first thought is: in many, if not most, municipal or county jurisdictions, the area you have marked is in the public right-of-way, not private property and you may have to have written permisssion from the local authority in the form of (I believe) an easement to put anything in that area other than a mail box.

It's definitely worth looking into right off the bat, IMO.

 

[Ri22o]

My first thought is: in many, if not most, municipal or county jurisdictions, the area you have marked is in the public right-of-way, not private property and you may have to have written permission from the local authority in the form of (I believe) an easement to put anything in that area other than a mail box.

It's definitely worth looking into right off the bat, IMO.

Most people don't understand the difference between easement and public right-of-way. Also, you can't be told no if you don't ask...

But, you are correct, that is not my property. I did get a permit to place irrigation sprinklers there, but that was several years ago. My property stops just on this side of the sidewalk. I am doing the bed around the mailbox regardless of what I do with the projector enclosure, but did also consider placing it in the sidewalk/driveway corner instead of on the other side of the sidewalk. If I did this, I probably wouldn't run any conduit and just use cords/cables for everything and not worry about future cameras at the mailbox. I need to get the projector out there and play with positions to see what might work.

 

[TonyR]

I need to get the projector out there and play with positions to see what might work.

I would agree....

 

[Ri22o]

I would agree....

I was mostly insistent on that position because I wanted to permanently run power and ethernet. If I am not going to do that, then I can put it anywhere there works/makes sense.

Not running conduit is waaay easier than running it. Especially since I would need to go under the house walk, the sidewalk, and the downspout drain that is also buried under the house walk.