Rugged and/or waterproof uATX / mITX case?

[Knavish]

I've got a unique request...

I need a computer case that can survive in a pretty harsh environment. It will be used as a headless controller of some instruments in an industrial environment with some not-so-nice chemicals. Occasionally the entire room gets hosed down to take care of those chemicals...

Does anyone have a lead on a case that could be used (headless) in an industrial-type setting where it would be hosed down? I've seen several enclosures for the full computer, monitor, & keyboard. I just need something to box up the CPU. I can have some custom sealed connectors installed if I can just find the case...

Thanks for any advice!

edit:
I need at least 1 PCIe x4 slot and am hoping for a core2 duo at least. (An Atom would be a too slow.)

 

[lsv]

Hmm, I think you may have to purchase some industrial 1U or 2U server case and do some frankensteining. The best I can suggest is some sort of fanless solution with an exposed large heatsink, allowing heat to disperse outside the case somehow.

Would there be any way to place the PC inside a cabinet at all? It's cheaper :|

Edit - found this fanless, waterproof, 'rugged' PC;

http://www.stealth.com/littlepc_Waterproofpc500F.htm

Hope this helps, I can't really find any good cases but that one might be great :O

 

[Knavish]

Hmm, I think you may have to purchase some industrial 1U or 2U server case and do some frankensteining. The best I can suggest is some sort of fanless solution with an exposed large heatsink, allowing heat to disperse outside the case somehow.

Would there be any way to place the PC inside a cabinet at all? It's cheaper :|

Edit - found this fanless, waterproof, 'rugged' PC;

http://www.stealth.com/littlepc_Waterproofpc500F.htm

Hope this helps, I can't really find any good cases but that one might be great :O

Thanks for the link ... now I need to add some specs to my original post.

 

[lsv]

Thanks for the link ... now I need to add some specs to my original post.

Aah I just saw the Atom and PCIE port required from the edit . You may be stuck placing it in a water proof cabinet. At least that way you can close it up fully when you hose the room down/have heavy chemical use?

And have you thought about emailing Stealth and seeing if they have a waterproof enclosure without the monitor + keyboard section available?

 

[Knavish]

Aah I just saw the Atom and PCIE port required from the edit . You may be stuck placing it in a water proof cabinet. At least that way you can close it up fully when you hose the room down/have heavy chemical use?

And have you thought about emailing Stealth and seeing if they have a waterproof enclosure without the monitor + keyboard section available?

Yeah I'm thinking an industrial PC in a waterproof cabinet is probably the way to go. I did email one industrial pc place -- stealth looks even better, so I'll try them too.

 

[lsv]

Yeah I'm thinking an industrial PC in a waterproof cabinet is probably the way to go. I did email one industrial pc place -- stealth looks even better, so I'll try them too.

The stealth I linked would be great if you needed something slower

But def call them up, I bet they have products available.

 

[aigomorla]

its close to impossible to completely seal a case.

Im sorry, but even the cables which come out to it on the other end will need to be insulated.

Also a sealed case is only possible on something which gives off very little heat.
Not possible on modern processors, and even the SB's need a vent hole.

If you did want to completely seal a system, id say leave the rad outside, as the fans can get water in them and still work.

Maybe a Fully submerged system might do it, as its sealed to hold the coolant, but... meh...

your best off putting the system in another room, taking the cables from that room to the wet room, and doing it that way.

 

[muskie32]

your best off putting the system in another room, taking the cables from that room to the wet room, and doing it that way.

+1

 

[infoiltrator]

I have seen a large sealed industrial case (its own refridgeration) and a dust proof using elaborate filtering. I'll try to remember.