Arduino Enclosures for Wall Mounting?

[doni49]

Hi all!

For a LONG time, I've been interested in setting up a home automation system. I've just bought my first home and have decided it's time to actually make it happen. I have a RasPi that I want to act as the brains for the whole automation system. It already has LAMP installed and I will be setting up a web site to manage the whole system.

It looks like these arduino boards will be extremely helpful in these projects. But........

Project number 1 will be an alarm system. Most of it will be fairly simple. Sensors (with arduino boards) will be at all windows and doors as well as a few motion detectors) --they will communicate with the server when an event occurs. But I will need some sort of keypad/screen to input security code and see status info. This pad will communicate with the server to either arm or disarm it. 1) Do I need an arduino board AND a separate LCD board AND a separate keypad board (or possibly a touch screen instead of hardware keyboard/LCD)? 2) Can anyone suggest a source for an enclosure which I can mount on the wall to hold this setup and look nice?

Project number 2 will be a programmable thermostat. I'd like an arduino board/temp sensor to read the current temp and turn the HVAC system on/off as appropriate -- the server will tell it what the proper temp is. 1) But again, do I need multiple boards? 2) Any suggestion on a wall mountable case to handle all this? Eventually, I hope to put one of these in each room of the house to set up zones (I'm hoping one can open/close a damper).

TIA!

[adafruit_support_bill]

For wall mounting, you could use one of these: http://www.adafruit.com/products/271
That is compatible with any of your 16x2 LCD displays: http://www.adafruit.com/products/714
And you could attach one of these to the front: http://www.adafruit.com/products/419

For the thermostat, one of these boxes will hold an Arduino & display shield: http://www.adafruit.com/products/903
We have several different types of display shield:
http://www.adafruit.com/products/714
http://www.adafruit.com/products/772
http://www.adafruit.com/products/376
http://www.adafruit.com/products/802

[doni49]

Thanks for the info. The touch shield looks really nice. It looks like at case will leave a lot of the shield exposed to view. I've never cared for the idea of showing the inside of equipment. I know SOME PEOPLE spend lots of extra money making it so that the inside is on display but I'm not one of them. Is there a way to hide everything EXCEPT the screen?

And since it's a touch screen, I need to be able to touch it. Although I'd be able see the screen, it doesn't look like I'd be able to touch it. Is at right?

[adafruit_support_bill]

There are several sources for opaque enclosures. Hammond is one: http://www.hammondmfg.com/scpg.htm
You would need a cut-out to operate the touch-screen.