Polycarbonate clear enclosure for pedal circuit. Yay - Nay ?

[zongongo]

Greetings to everyone here, and those that will arrive later !
I am considering a clear polycarbonate enclosure for a guitar pedal circuit because I thought I would like to see the circuit in there. I just thought it was more interesting than anything I could paint.
  Now I have been warned that there may be problems with RF interference or, i dunno ? Metal box shield circuit, polycarbonate NO! ??
Also, apparently grounding is an issue. 
  Please let me in on what I don't know about this.
  I guess I made my first post, broke my cherry !

[ultralinear]

Please correct me anyone but I believe clear acrylic would be a good material as I have seen it used for audio gear already.

Have a look at the Shruthi synth:

http://www.davidschwan.com/Images/Synthesizer/Shruthi-1_top_view.JPG

[ultralinear]

I wouldn't have thought I could actually help anyone else for a long time

[Tony Forestiere]

It really depends on the circuit. High gain "Maximus Plexius 6 FET BOOSTORAMA" pedal: "Computer says No". Small booster/buffer with properly separated Input and Output wiring, and all grounds tied to a single point. Could be.

I would say, if it isn't really noisy on a breadboard, go for it.

[hooya]

http://www.agandb.zoovy.com/product/LG-112RPLX/Matchless-Lightning-15-Custom-Clear-Plexi.html



Why not! 

[Tony Forestiere]

It really depends on the circuit....with properly separated Input and Output wiring, and all grounds tied to a single point. Could be. I would say, if it isn't really noisy on a breadboard, go for it.


@hooya: Nice lead dress! You do know what I mean.

[mattthegamer463]

If you wire it up really pretty you could encase it in resin like this:

http://runawaybrainz.blogspot.ca/2012/04/audio-crystal-cmoy-freeform-headphone.html

[zongongo]

Hey !
I want to thank everyone for all those responses !!
If anyone has any more insight, please comment further. The pictures posted and the article (resin encapsulation) !! Awesome !!
Thanks again.

[R.G.]

The issue is that clear plastic is transparent to not only visible light, but also power line hum and radio frequencies. So if the insides are immaculately wired and not otherwise susceptible to picking up hum or interference, it works great.

Otherwise - well, you can fill in this blank. Metal enclosures are opaque to hum and radio emissions as well as light, and that's one of their big virtues.

[chromesphere]

If you wire it up really pretty you could encase it in resin like this:

http://runawaybrainz.blogspot.ca/2012/04/audio-crystal-cmoy-freeform-headphone.html

Might not be so good practically / if a repair is needed, but that has to be the coolest looking thing i have seen all week!
Paul