Modular, Car Mounted Project Enclosure

I wanted to mount a MeshCore LoRa node on my car for #wardriving. All the available ones are designed to use magnets to stick the box to your car. I wasn't keen on the idea of using magnets for a number of reasons: likelihood of damaging the car, and the uncertainty that they would hold on the highway etc.

 

So I designed this system to be mounted to the roof rack rails on my car. This way the box is mounted with screws and should hold under the most stressful conditions. I also wanted to be able to quickly remove the box if needed (car wash, hail, etc), so I've created an attachment system that holds the box securely in its mount and yet can be undone in just seconds.

 

My photos show my intended use with a MeshCore node in the box, but I've included parts that can be used for any type of prototype system you want to mount to your car. Feel free to modify and remix as desired.

 

Notes:

• the base of the mount is designed around my own car, a Chevy Bolt with flush mounted roof rails. These have 4 pairs of screw holes, 120mm apart. Depending on your vehicle, you may need to adjust. I'd like this to be compatible with a wide range of vehicles, so I'm open to requests for your vehicle if you're able to provide a photo of the mount point with measurements etc.
• the battery case visible in the photos can be found here: https://makerworld.com/en/models/2416710-18650-battery-holders#profileId-2650153
• this is my first major model designed entirely in FreeCAD

 

Boost MeBoosts are always appreciated and allow me to buy more filament for designing and testing models! - Thank you!