Case for ESP32, PIR HC-SR501, 0,96 I2C Display and 2 more sensors

thingiverse

This enclosure houses three sensors, a display, and an ESP32 microcontroller to power them all. It has significant volume and numerous air vents, which help keep the sensors contained within sealed pockets that can be secured with a small amount of adhesive to minimize waste heat's impact on BME280 sensor readings. An additional thin layer can be inserted into the rear compartment to insulate the MCU from the rest of the housing. These measures appear to have reduced errors by approximately 2.5°C compared to another optimized enclosure (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4068963), which has a similar pocket design but fewer vents and less volume. However, this enclosure still shows higher temperatures than those without a housing due to the BME280 sensor's heat generation. The volume of this box serves multiple purposes beyond minimizing waste heat: maintaining a safe distance between the PIR sensor and MCU, and providing space for cables. Although I opted not to create custom cables, using standard dupont cables with 10cm lengths was sufficient. However, this resulted in excess wire that needed to be managed. The other issue addressed by this design is the tendency of PIR sensors to trigger false alarms when located near a MCU's Wi-Fi antenna. A BH1750 light sensor and a large HC-SR501 PIR sensor are housed within separate pockets. PIR, display, and MCU components sit on pins that secure them in place, while two screw sockets are provided for attaching additional support structures to the back of the display (0.96 I2C OLED Display). Two feet at the front prevent the enclosure from sitting flat on the ground, improving airflow but also making it easier to read the display when placed on a desk. The design has a somewhat retro aesthetic reminiscent of late 1950s designs. The Freecad source files are included in the package, allowing users to customize the enclosure's parameters using spreadsheets. However, Thingiverse's 3D preview feature is inconsistent, and some .stl files may not be eligible for preview despite their relevance.