Apache cases from Harbor freight...... my use.....any thoughts?

[rayra]

I'll post a pic in sunlight, tomorrow. I left it clamped shut, one clamp at a time as I painted from several angles. I didn't clean it up well enough, I got a little dimpling in a couple spots where I suppose some gun oil or something was still on it. It's definitely 'Red'. Almost 'Coca Cola Red'.

 

[rayra]

Here it is. I'l follow up after it's fully cured and beat up a bit. But for now it seems to be adhering just fine.

 

[rayra]

fresh Harbor Freight catalog has a 25% off coupon for the 3800 model , coupon code 53088236, $29.99 instead of $39.99.

 

[mep1811]

Another nice a spec on these boxes is the light weight compared to the heavy and expensive pelican cases.

 

[rayra]

they're lighter, but it's a relative thing. They're still thick / heavy / sturdy. I was just looking at them today in the store and the now have a '5800' too that is outfitted with retractable handle and wheels as carry-on luggage. And that thing was heavy empty. Just looked, it's shipping weight is 15.6-lbs

 

[Hillbilly Heaven]

I am curious on how weatherproof these cases are. Would you trust one riding full time on a roof rack?

 

[robert]

They look weatherproof enough but I question the UV resistance of the plastic. I don't care about fading but I wouldn't want it to get brittle and crack.

 

[rayra]

I recall looking up their ratings in the past, there is two parts to the weatherproof rating system and Apache was same as Pelican on one side and one step below on the other. And CA's wettest winter in a decade notwithstanding, I wasn't concerned about the rating difference, both were good. You'd have to really submerge the Apache cases to have any trouble. Or drive highway speeds into the face of an approaching monsoon.
It was reading those comparative ratings that made me decide the Apache cases were a great value. I never could stomach Pelican's pricing. I've never ascribed to the 'buy once, cry once' mantra. I've got far too many hobbies and demands on my wallet, for that sort of nonsense.

 

[rayra]

http://www.dsmt.com/resources/ip-rating-chart/

Sample IP Rating

IP​	6​	8​
“Ingress Protection”​	First Digit: Solids Protection​	Second Digit: Liquids Protection​

off a random Pelican case description -

• IP-67 Rating for temporary submersion (1 meter for 30 minutes)

Apache cases
https://www.harborfreight.com/3800-weatherproof-protective-case-16-516-in-63927.html
has a listed rating of IP-65



It would seem the Pelicans have a better and better protected gasketing design. But look at the chart below and decide for yourselves if it matters in your application. And worth paying 4-10x as much for the Pelican brand.

https://www.nemaenclosures.com/blog/ingress-protection-ratings/

 

[rayra]

And if you are worried about UV damage, paint them. Heck, paint them the same color as the plastic, so paint chips don't stand out.

Do a google search for 'apache cases' and look for people actually using them outdoors.

 

[rayra]

latest catalog also has a coupon for the Carry-On case for $70, code 53382033

 

[dstock]

I just picked up the medium size one for my radios/portable electronics. It's mostly going to spend time in an enclosed environment so I didn't feel I needed the "best" considering it's use. I'm pretty impressed with it and will probably get another one.

 

[rayra]

@AlumniCU seems to be doing something interesting with an Apache case, turning one into a portable battery box / charging station.

New DC to DC Charger From Renogy-20 amps or 40 amps-Flooded/AGM/GEL/Lithium

Can anyone recommend an appropriate relay that would send signal to converter when car/alt is running and voltage is higher? The big idea here was to have everything self contained in an battery box, so that It could move car to car. If practical, would have a 12v power input from...

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