Water proof enclosure for smaller sound recorders (Zoom F8, Sound Devices 702T)

L

lonewolf2koc@hotmail.com

Well-known member
I'm looking for a water proof case with open holes for microphone XLR cables (2-4) that will fit a Sound Devices 702T, Zoom F8 or similar size recorder. Planning to record wildlife sound unattended and so far there is no such thing on the market. Was thinking of drilling a hole in to the case, but that defeats the water proof requirement. Any suggestions or tips?
 
People have drilled holes into Pelican cases for cables and then sealed the remaining opening with gaskets. I did something like that with small Otterbox cases to hold lav transmitters...but much smaller opening and long ago. That's pretty much what some local researchers did out here a few years ago when they tossed up a bunch of microphones to record freeway noise (Pelican case with a LDC mic on a gooseneck)

A little Sugru moldable glue can do the trick, especially if you're just worried about rainproofing (rather than submerge-proofing) the case
https://sugru.com

Maybe track down Charles Hambleton who did something like this for Oscar-winning documentary The Cove.

the-cove-recording-rig.jpg

=====
Recorders Used for OSCAR-Winning Documentary
Boulder, CO, MARCH 07, 2010 — Sound Devices recorders helped the crew of the Oceanic Preservation Society bring to light the suffering and killing of wild dolphins in Taiji, Japan in its new documentary, “The Cove.”

[snip]

In order to acquire all the audio and video that was necessary, the crew required recording devices that could hold up under a variety of environments, including some harsh conditions. For instance, some recorders were set up underwater or outdoors in areas protected by steep cliffs and high razor wire barricades to keep the public out.
=====

Rest of the press release:
https://www.sounddevices.com/in-action/recorders-used-for-oscar-winning-documentary

Sorry I don't have more specific advice...
 
Most anywhere that is a serious electrical supply house will have weather proof cable entries. These would usually use pipe threads for the case and a rubber donut that surrounds the cable, so a little bit of shop work to make this work. Of course you would have to remove one end of the cable to get the rubber donut around the cable and through the fitting.

In the boat world, cable entry through a surface is done with a "cable clam". This works a bit differently but just as well. Google:
Blue Sea Systems cable clam. Another model is called a "Big John cable clam". I like the Big Johns and they are way less expensive. I've literally install hundreds of clams in my boat repair days.
 
I'm reluctant to sacrifice by drilling holes into a Pelican 1510 carry on case as suggested. Maybe couple of simple plastic bags may work. But there are issues with extreme heat during midday on these wilderness sites. Where will the air vent go? At least with the case, there's a possibility of small vent. I may use longer cable grommet and simply shut the Pelican 1510 lid down w/ out having to drill on the sides.

At certain wildlife locations, most larger animals may simply chew it and drag it away without hesitation. Some may poke and chew a small hole in the bag and the damage is already done. Boom pole and stand is another story. Very challenging to keep these expensive sound gear safe from the elements and wildlife.

The aging SD 7## series still have a lots of usefulness left - particularly the ability to do programmed on/off recording, power on recording when external power is applied, M-S and regular stereo tracks. Fortunately I didn't get rid of it just yet.

graywolf said:
Why wouldn't a plastic bag with the opening taped closed around the cables work?
Click to expand...
 
I guess you could compare the cost of a Pelican case to the cost of your gear...Then factor in the chance of your gear getting damaged. Perhaps that case isn't so expensive in the long run? Or drill a hole and then when this project is done, fill the hole (or keep it and just mark that case as still travel-worthy, but not waterproof). Or buy a used Pelican, or an off-brand hard-shell case. Even Monoprice sells some now...No idea how they compare to Pelican, SKB, etc:
https://www.monoprice.com/search/index/?keyword=hard case

So how long will this recorder be running? Just for a few hours or a few days? Just curious how you'll power it.
 
I'll be recording dawn to dusk for 1-2 weeks. It'll be jam synced every 4-6 hours interval to the cams. Powering this will be made via a power tap -> Lemo. The SD 702T can be programmed to turn on when ext power is plugged in. Typically when I use a 98 Ah lithium ion battery (Switronic, Anton Bauer), I'm getting at least 24-36 hours of stable power. I also has a Sony NP 960 as a 2nd power source if the main ext Hirosi plug is out. That lasted at ~9-11 continuous hours last time I tested. This was recording continuously on 2 stereo tracks w/ phantom power on the SD 702T.

Ah, I forgot about 3rd party hard cases that's usually 1/2 to 1/4 of the cost. I actually have several of them and can drill through them w/ out feeling bad about it. Storm, Pelican, Portra Brace so far are have the best latch opening mechanism compared to 3rd party cases with subpar latch.

Jim Feeley said:
I guess you could compare the cost of a Pelican case to the cost of your gear...Then factor in the chance of your gear getting damaged. Perhaps that case isn't so expensive in the long run? Or drill a hole and then when this project is done, fill the hole (or keep it and just mark that case as still travel-worthy, but not waterproof). Or buy a used Pelican, or an off-brand hard-shell case. Even Monoprice sells some now...No idea how they compare to Pelican, SKB, etc:
https://www.monoprice.com/search/index/?keyword=hard case

So how long will this recorder be running? Just for a few hours or a few days? Just curious how you'll power it.
Click to expand...
 
Good point about latches; they're not all the same. But speaking of Portabrace hardshell cases, I --think-- theirs are made by HPRC and those are available in colors other than blue :-) at some usual-suspect vendors. Worth a look, perhaps:

http://www.hprc.it

> I'll be recording dawn to dusk for 1-2 weeks.
Tough gig. Good luck!

Please post pix of your final configuration!
 
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