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View Full Version : My DIY Apex DUAL break out box for under $30


FullBoreReefer
02/23/2014, 09:46 AM
First here are the links...

Project box...$9.99/shipped
http://www.ebay.com/itm/141144548985?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

8-position barrier strip (x2)... $1.99/ea= $3.98+$2.95(shipping)= $6.93/shipped
http://www.ebay.com/itm/331119786361?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

8-position mini din cable...$7.48/shipped
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0002GWN84

Major components total... $24.40. So that leaves room if you need any of the misc following(I had this stuff laying around).

Misc - Solder, heat shrink, small machine/pan screws.


First, plug in and warm up your soldering gun. Set this aside.

With your project box screwed together, drill two small holes on the side of the box right on the seam. So you can have your cable enter/exit the box.

Use a dremel or something to cut two long holes for the barrier strips to pass through the top of the project box.

Next using a small drill bit drill four holes, two per barrier strip for mounting to the box. I used small machine screws that i had laying around. Set that aside.

Take your 10ft cable and cut it in half, theres your two apex input cables lol. Strip back the main shielding about four or so inches. Then strip back each individual colored wire about half to one inch, skipping the blue wire. Set this aside.

Using the cable I linked, here is the pinout...

Apex(barrier strip) / Cable
#1 - Black
#2 - Brown
#3 - Red
#4 - Orange
#5 - Yellow
#6 - Green
#7(not used) - Blue
#8 - Purple

Solder those to the barrier strip pins that are passing through the box. I did not solder pin 7 since it isn't used and i also removed screw #7 on the barrier strip so nothing can be wired in that spot. I also used small heat shrink on the soldered connections that i had laying around.
http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p576/Dane_Brillhart/20140223_111307_zps700c6903.jpg~original

Pass the cables through and screw the box back together.
http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p576/Dane_Brillhart/20140223_111426_zps1833b25a.jpg~original

Your done!


Now you have 12 inputs instead of 6, for under the price of a normal break out box. You still need 2 I/O inputs on your apex setup, one for each cable. How many people really need 12 inputs, probably not many, but hey even if you only buy one barrier strip and a shorter cable you'll save maybe $4-5. So to me the few extra dollars is worth never having to buy another box...ENJOY!

And yes I free handed using my dremel, noting the strips are alittle crooked, OK crooked as he*l lol. Owell, it's mine and nobody will see it. And since I currently only have 2 float switches at the moment I only installed one cable...
http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p576/Dane_Brillhart/20140223_111707_zps6477be0c.jpg~original

FullBoreReefer
02/23/2014, 10:32 AM
Oh and mark your inputs if you think you'll forget. Hence why I removed the unused #7 screw, I know the ground is separated, and #1 is opposite.

FullBoreReefer
04/23/2014, 10:24 AM
Bump to save money

FullBoreReefer
10/07/2016, 05:21 PM
Bump

LXXero
10/07/2016, 08:28 PM
here's my custom breakout box that can connect to 4 optical float switches. so admittedly i didn't make the board, i just made the enclosure and did all the wiring and such:

http://www.xero.cc/fish/bob_inside.jpg
http://www.xero.cc/fish/bob_sensors.jpg
http://www.xero.cc/fish/bob_top.jpg

gus6464
10/08/2016, 11:17 PM
here's my custom breakout box that can connect to 4 optical float switches. so admittedly i didn't make the board, i just made the enclosure and did all the wiring and such:

http://www.xero.cc/fish/bob_inside.jpg
http://www.xero.cc/fish/bob_sensors.jpg
http://www.xero.cc/fish/bob_top.jpg

Where you get the board and sensors from?