I’d like to keep my MPCNC outside under a shelter. It would be protected from direct rain and wind but exposed to outside air. I’m in the UK so it rains a lot, gets cold, humid etc.
I know there’s a an Ice Man on here who keeps his in a freezer! So I don’t think what im planning on doing is crazy. If I can keep it in the garden I can use it more often.
My question, Would the control board be better off in a semi sealed container like a food storage box. Or open to the air with natural airflow?
Any advice would be appreciated.
More context. I have a garden but it’s a rented flat. So can only build a temporary structure.
I would think if you released the belts and brought the actual LR4 inside when not in use you would be ok with this. I would also cover your table to protect it from rain as well.
Agree with Jonathan, bring LR4 inside when not in use, otherwise…
Previously built an outdoor electrical/LED project that’s enclosed but not sealed. Similar weather to UK but less miserable. Only lasted 3yrs, wish I’d proactively sloshed some conformal coating onto electronics to help last longer. Enclosure needs to allow the MCU and heatsinks to dissipate heat to avoid stepper drivers overheating and shutting down randomly.
So I’ve accidentally tested this idea because the shed my lowrider is in leaks. At first it was slight. Now it’s catastrophic.
I too have the electronics in a waterproof box, so they’re ok. My MDF table has essentially dissolved, and the steppers and rails have started to rust… doesn’t seem to have unusably buggered them up yet….
But it’s definetely less than ideal! I reckon you could build a table that would mostly survive being outside and bring the gantry indoors, as others have suggested. Or put a felt roof and removable side panels on the table…basically turn the machine into its own shed?!
@madebysam do you have neighbors close by? If so, and neighbor drama is something you’re looking to avoid, we’ve seen some people build insulated (e.g. rockwool) outdoor enclosure to control dust, noise, and help somewhat with humidity.
Statisically almost certainly. Not a lot of luxury of space on this little island…
As someone who’s already catastrophically pissed off their neighbours with their LR, I’ve definetely seriously considered a rockwool lined enclosure… it’s quite an undertaking for a full sheet machine though!
