usefulramblings

Thought I might use the 3D printer to fashion an outside waterproof camera case for a Pi3 IP camera.  Giving it much thought I decided on 4 components:  Two end caps, 1 cylinder, and a plate to fit the Pi3 and the USB camera module.

I need to state that while the build is complete I do not ensure/guarantee any degree of water tightness so proceed at your own risk. 

The camera housing/enclosure is designed for a Pi3 utilizing its built in wifi.  Substituting other components, for example a Pi2 will run into problems with case access ports/holes, etc.  In addition you will also need to fashion a short USB cable that runs from the camera to the Pi3.  This will require USB A connectors and JST 2.0 MM PH4 pin connector with wires attached.  The JST 2.0MM connector will be soldered to the USB Male A connector.

What you need:

• a USB camera module
• a Pi3 (because I wanted to go wireless – a Pi2 will work but the case design omits access points for a wifi dongle or ethernet cable.  When I complete this build I will make the case design available in both Sketchup’s format and in STL files.  This way you can modify the case should you want to utilize different components.
• JST 2.0mm PH4-Pin Female housing Connector with Wire and Male Connector – this will connect the Camera Module to a USB port on the Pi3
• USB Male A Connector
• 2M bolts with orings and flat washers – shown below loosely attached

• 180 degree USB gender bender/adaptor pictured below

• 1” X 1/8” clear acrylic Small circle Disc
• 90 degree micro usb to power jack – shown below

• 2 130mm OD 2.4mm Cross Section Rubber O rings
• power jack couplers to fashion a short power cable shown below

• 2.5MM, 2.0MM, standoffs, 3M X 90MM bolts w/nuts (4 wing nuts for end cap assembly)
• a 3D printer or access to one (maybe a friends)
• time – the prints take about 16 hours.

Images can be double clicked for greater detail!

The Design

End Cap PI3
Cylinder
End Cap Camera
USB Camera Module mount plate

The Build

Printing one of the two end caps.  This happens to be the end cap that the pi will mount to.  The deep circular channel is for an o-ring and the large hole for a 1/2 inch compression fitting.
End cap Pi3 end.	outside view inside view
Pi3 mounted to the Pi end cap.  There is an adapter plate on top of the Pi on which to mount the USB camera module.  Note the loosely draped o-ring.  It will drop into the channel and hopefully provide a water tight seal.	Note M2 nylon screw through washer, oring and into endcap Below is the short custom JST 2.0mm PH4-Pin Female housing Connector needed to connect the camera to a Pi 3’s USB port Pi3 mounted to end cap.  Note the 180 degree USB adaptor and the 90 degree USB micro b to power connector.  Also note the short custom made USB cable from camera to the 180 degree USB adaptor
Attach power You will need a cable with a power connector on one end.  The other end is dictated by the power supply you will use.  I will use a Pi3 brick which accommodates a male USB A connector like shown to the right.	insert the power connector into the gland and tighten using a customized power connector as shown below wire into the Pi3 as shown below
Slide the cylinder down over the PI3 and seat firmly in the base channel containing the    o-ring.	Note the tight fit.  The 180 degree usb adaptor and the 90 degree power adaptor are a must.
The other end cap.  The camera lens w/o the protective cover fit into this recessed hole.  The hole will receive a 1/8 inch thick piece of plexiglass that will be fitted in place and sealed.  Speaking of being water tight this end cap and the earlier one have 4 holes outboard of the channel.  These will receive an M3 x 90 mm bolt which will pull the end caps towards each other exerting pressure on the o-rings and providing a tight seal.  At least this is the hope.
a look inside
final assembly	pi/power end any side camera end

Here is a video demonstrating the motion quality and the quality of reception from the Pi3’s built in WIFI to the house router.  Note I do not include video content in the “quality” statement.