Final Solution.

So I took a 6 x 3 x 2 Radio Shack project box. Flipped it over and mounted my EZ Board on the inside of the lid. I then cut the side panels out of the box itself leaving the four corners with their screw mounts.

Safe, secure and well ventilated.

Daniel cool

Nice EZ-B cover. It beats an exposed EZ-B getting something dropped on it or what ever could happen while its in a bot or even on a desk.

@Daniel, Nice looking B9. I haven't had the pleasure of seeing your big guy all grown up and put together. You've only sent pics of a part or two.

I mounted a small fan and pointed it at the regulators on my V3 EZB. I found they didn't really heat up all that much so I removed the fan and cut down on some of the noise coming out of my B9. I know the new V4 will not have regulators so I'm not sure how hot it will get.

Just wondering; what kind if damage could you expect with the EZB being inside of the B9?

@dschulpius , the ezb v4 should really not generate any significant head. The onboard regulators are to power the processor and the WiFi modules only. There is very little current used by the onboard equipment. The only concern you may have is if you are running several high torque servos. If you are running 5 or more high torque servos then I would consider using external / direct to battery power wire. This is because the current is traveling through the tracings of the board and there is a reasonable limit. I would estimate that at 5 amps.

Thanks @Josh, I kinda felt that was going to be the case. I'll be using mostly external power for all my servos and will feed the new V4 EZB's I have coming externally also with 12vdc. However I will have to regulate a few small boards and sensors currently needing 5vdc being fed from the V3's I have installed now and will be replaceing. I know the new V4 will feed through the 12vdc I will be powering it with and that will go straight to the current components that will attach to it needing 5vdc. I feel Daniel will have to do this also when he receives his V4. I think I remember him saying he'll be running a V3 & V4 in his B9. Am I right @Daniel?

So bottom line is the new V4 EZB shouldn't have a heat issue.

Hi Dave

I may just use two V4's in my B9 rather than a V3 and V4 (I have 3 V4s coming). That way the components are all the same, especially with the control graphics.

Quick question though. You say above:

" I know the new V4 will feed through the 12vdc I will be powering it with..."

Are you saying the V4 eliminates the need for an H-Bridge?

Regarding potential damage: I just want a bit of protection as I move components about plus my son tends to get over zealous with his basketball in the garage.

Daniel

@Mulberry The EZB4 will run off of voltages between 7 ~ 17V or somewhere around there. The H-Bridge is used to control and drive motors only. The EZB board cannot drive 2 wire motors directly... You will have the power, but you can't control them with PWM... So you will need a motor controller (i.e an H-Bridge) if your project is using any DC motors... 3 wire Servos can be controlled directly from the EZB4 board (provided the voltage is within the spec of the servo)...

Thanks Rryerson

But it does not mean a 12 volt servo could be wired/powered directly through the new board, correct? Currently I use an H-Bridge to prevent damage with my big servo with a separate power source. It lifts a lot of weight.

Daniel