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

Ri22o

Known around here
Jul 30, 2020
2,361
4,644
Indiana
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.

Projector.jpg


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.

1778165262010.jpeg


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.

Conduit1.jpg

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?
 
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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 )
 
Last edited:
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. :cool: