"By nature, everything here is constantly being exposed to many elements" states James Franklin, Abita's Plant Engineer.  All enclosures used are of NEMA 4X construction because of water, caustic, acid, and bleach that are regularly used during cleaning procedures.

"Abita also, literally, has its own weather system. Because of the constant moisture in our facility, some days have actual clouds in the top half of the building. The result is that ferrous metal products corrode at a very high rate. The plant wide specification is to use non-metallic enclosures in all areas" adds Franklin.

As a result of these environmental conditions, Abita has within the past 7 years used or replaced metal enclosures with more than 50 Stahlin fiberglass enclosures. "I t makes sense to use them up front and forget about it, Franklin said. Non-metallic enclosures cost less; in addition, they are lighter weight so we save on shipping. We are stating that on new equipment purchases, control panels are to be of non-metallic construction. We have had to replace metallic enclosures with finger size holes in them." Franklin also explained that a pry bar had to be used on an OEM metallic control enclosure to open it after the 3 point latch mechanism had become 'frozen'. This enclosure is currently scheduled for replacement.

"This is a great proving ground for a lot of products, especially electrical enclosures. Although longevity and cost are key factors, I am also concerned with ease of workability. Stahlin performs factory modifications to our specs, but we also do a great deal of field modifications to accommodate distribution, starters, drives, and other automation. The enclosures are much easier to modify using conventional tools."

Franklin concluded that "low cost, workability, durability, and performance make non-metallic enclosures for our environment a no brainer."

Monroe Truck Equipment is a manufacturer of roadway salt spreaders, Pre-Wet and Anti-Ice Systems, for melting ice on winter roadways. A load of salt is conveyed in the back of a truck and a small portion of salt is propelled across the roadway by a mechanical thrower to provide an even dusting of salt on packed ice and snow.

Monroe chose Stahlin Non-Metallic Enclosures to provide safe, environmental protection for the distribution controls involved in these processes. Notable in the design was a need for a mechanically sound enclosure that protected itself and its contents from an ever-present state of water and salt exposure without the natural corroding effects common to metal enclosures. Mechanically sound is also a reference to an enclosure that could be exposed to flying stones and roadway objects without fear of breakage. The durability of Stahlin fiberglass products was ideal for this application. In total, five Stahlin Non-Metallic Enclosures, J1210HW, J1816HW, J604HLL, J1210HPL, and J1816HPL are used by Monroe.

For additional information about Monroe Truck Equipment contact: Monroe Truck Equipment, 1051 W.7th St., Monroe, WI 53566, Phone: 608-328-8127. Worldwide website: www.monroetruck.com

The American Solar Challenge (ASC) is an intercollegiate competition to design, build and race solar-powered cars. ASC recently acquired responsibilities for GM Sunrayce, previous solar races that have been run since the 1990's. The fundamental mission of the ASC is to promote and celebrate educational excellence. The event also contributes to America's awareness about renewable energy sources and technology; clean energy options; environmental protection; cost savings through energy efficiency; improvements in transportation; and creation of new, fast-growing, energy-related fields.

North Dakota State University, one of 60 collegiate teams competing from the U.S. and worldwide, is participating under the name: Sunsetters - NDSU Solar Race Team. Sunsetters is comprised of more than 30 students from the fields of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, and Business.

How do enclosures from Stahlin Non-Metallic Enclosures fit into the American Solar Challenge?

Race regulations require Sunsetters to secure the batteries for their 6' wide x 17' long car, Prairie Fire, within an electrolyte resistant box. The enclosure must be able to contain acid leakage in the event of battery failure as well as to protect drivers and crew from high voltage. Lucas A. Graunke, Electrical Engineering Co-Head for Sunsetters - NDSU Solar Race Team, explains further. "I have been working for an electrical engineering company in the Twin Cities for the last 5 summers and have become familiar with Stahlin's non-metallic enclosures. I'm impressed with their quality and versatility and was very pleased when Stahlin agreed to sponsor our efforts. We worked out the specifications of the boxes and they got them built for us right away. Both enclosures were hand lay-up custom made to fit in the limited area we had set aside for them in our car's frame."

The 8 batteries for Prairie Fire will be safely housed within two Stahlin fiberglass N-Series 34x12x11 enclosures, four batteries each. Prairie Fire will be powered by 610 solar cells providing roughly 900 watts of power (about equivalent to a blow dryer). 8, 12-volt deep cycle batteries wired in series to will provide 96 volts of power.

For further information about Sunsetters - NDSU Solar Race Team or the American Solar Challenge race, contact: Lucas A. Graunke, Electrical Engineering Co-Head, Phone: (701) 231-2123, Fax: (701) 231-8913 C/O Dr. Reitz. Worldwide web: http://www.sunsetters.org

Stahlin Marketing Dept.

Case Study Materials

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Email:jstalsonburg@stahlin.com

In one particular example, a marine OEM registered approximately 18 man hours to complete a complex assembly of multiple solenoids, relays, circuit breakers, and bus bars. In addition, this OEM often seemed overwhelmed by the amount of inventory they had to carry for these multiple components and the paper work associated to maintain the inventory. And if by chance they ever had to troubleshoot the complex assembly it seemed overwhelming for them to determine where the failure was actually located.

The team at Paneltronics knew if we could somehow combine these multiple components and assemblies into one unit we would help reduce the overall cost for our OEM. The Paneltronics team set out to produce a product that would lower their cost.

Crime moves around, and criminals have become smarter and more aware of permanent outdoor video surveillance cameras. It is more difficult for law enforcement to covertly monitor and visually record suspects from distant and safer locations. With budget constraints placed on these departments, manned surveillance is often cost prohibitive, and there is not enough manpower for all of the surveillance operations desired. As a result, it is becoming increasingly popular in the public safety sector to connect a digital, IP-camera to a cellular modem, put it in an outdoor housing, and continuously stream live video at as high a data rate as possible to a distant monitoring and recording station.

Use the links to the right to view the complete case study text and support images.

The Chemtrac SCM is an online, continuous sampling instrument that enables the water treatment plant operator to optimize the chemical feed dosage. The reliability of this monitor is critical for these operators and this is precisely why Chemtrac needs a non-metallic enclosure that will stand up to the stressful environment in a water treatment plant.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium (http://www.mbayaq.org), with more than 35,000 animals and plants representing over 550 species of fishes, invertebrates, mammals, reptiles, birds and plants, needed to move its existing electric room into one of its wash down rooms.

After discussions between Stahlin, and the project’s electrical installer, Cupertino Electric, Inc. (CEI), San Jose, CA, it was determined that to properly house and protect important electrical wire management components a customized enclosure would need to be built. Consequently, an investigation of modifiable enclosure options was begun.

Micro Grow Greenhouse Systems, Inc. has been providing environmental computer controls for professional commercial growers and research greenhouses worldwide for more than 20 years. Our customers expect our controls to continue to function properly for 24 hours, 7 days a week. If something should prevent any of those controls from proper operation growers could lose their entire crop. In other words: potential, costly disaster.

Rigsmart Systems Inc. an Edmonton-based company, has been developing new safety products for the oil service rig industry. Rigsmart System is a rig safety and data acquisition system used on service and workover rigs. It allows the driller to input data on the well, including depth, tubing, casing and rod data, as well as surface pressure. This system measures load on the drawworks, line payout and ram position as well as many other conditions on the rig.