Screwless water-resistant enclosure for 5.25x2.5mm power jacks

thingiverse

I designed this enclosure to safeguard outdoor power connections from harsh weather conditions. My specific application involves IP cameras that require a 48V POE supply through an ethernet cable, but I prefer using a separate 12VDC input via a 5.25mm jack connector for several reasons. One major advantage is that it allows me to utilize a single power source backed up by a reliable 12V battery, ensuring the entire security system remains operational even during power outages. However, cameras like these cannot accept 12V through POE, so I implement a passive 12V feed down the ethernet cable and then split it into a 5.25mm jack just before reaching the camera. Unfortunately, this configuration leaves an exposed power connection for my outdoor cameras, which is unprotected by the waterproof enclosure provided for the POE ethernet jack. Most commercial enclosures are designed to be installed inline before attaching plugs, but I've found that's rarely feasible and might void the warranty if I were to modify the camera's own 5.25mm connection. Therefore, I needed an alternative solution that could securely clip around existing connections without requiring screws for assembly. That's why I created these enclosures with rings that can slip over the ends of the power cables. To install this enclosure, simply disconnect the power connection, and then slip a ring over each end of the cable. Reconnect the male and female jacks, placing them inside the enclosure so that the two halves click together securely. Finally, slide another ring over each end to hold everything in place. While it's not entirely waterproof, I've described this enclosure as water-resistant because it clips together tightly and has handled rain without any issues so far. However, submerging it could potentially allow some liquid to seep inside. You can improve its performance by applying a small amount of silicone to the ends, but even in its current form, it effectively addresses my problem.