Tevo Tarantula Control Box

myminifactory

The control boxes on Thingiverse for the Tevo Tarantula were far too large, attempting to incorporate everything into a single case. I much prefer the power supply sitting exposed, and had already designed a case for the MOSFET expansion board, so room for that was not needed. This case is specifically designed to house the original mainboard, control panel, a 6015 fan, a 6x2 barrier strip and a Raspberry Pi Model B Revision 2. The Pi is mounted separately, upside down on the top plate, allowing easy customization if a different model Pi is required. The back plate features holes for both the mainboard and Pi USB connectors, making it simple to connect a wireless dongle to the Pi. A short USB cable connects the Pi and mainboard externally, facilitating easy connection of a computer for firmware updates. Holes are also provided for input/output connections to the board. On the left-hand side is a football-shaped cutout to aid in accessing the SD card. On the right side, the fan is covered with a web-style grill to match the Tarantula theme. The front panel features a grill for air circulation. I have my fan sucking out air, but you can blow air inwards if preferred. One thing to note: the Pi is already quite tight. To accommodate the power connector, I had to trim away almost all of the plastic to reach the metal connector. A 90-degree adapter might be a better option, or soldering the power wires directly to the Pi could also work. Currently, my Pi runs on an AC power adapter, but if I can find or design a regulated 12vdc-5vdc converter, I plan on powering the Pi internally from the main power supply. To assemble this project, you will need: 3mmx5mm screws (32), 4mmx25 screws (4), 4mm nuts (4), 8 washers and a 6x2 barrier strip (optional).