Why are controller boards so expensive? Anyone DIY a good one?

[prion27]

For the life of me, I can't understand why a few pieces of plastic board ($25 each frrom Amazon) cost $250 or more from all the controller companies. What am I missing that make them cost so much? More importantly, has anyone built their own awesome controller board without spending a forturne?

 

[thom_smith]

A couple. Marine plywood or PVC board, extruded aluminum and stainless steel drawer slides. Cost isn't really in the materials. It's the tools and labor to make the cutouts.

This one has a 8020 extruded aluminum frame providing strength and a void between the board and slides to hide power bricks and cords. Most difficult part was building a jig for the cord cutouts. Once you've got the jig, just use a square to line it up and couple clamps to hold it in place and router away. Board is enormous. 32D x 34H. Most of my cabling is right angle to minimize how far it infringes into stand. Last step will be some standoffs and a piece or two of acrylic to protect from splashes.




Another behind my canopy. Just some PVC board, drawer slides and cable management. Same on the opposite side of the canopy.






This is from in progress build. Still some cable management and plubing that I have since finished up but don't have current pic. With large sump, skimmer, bio reactor, turf scrubber and two Reef Mats plus a frag section not much space to spare so that's why I went with the slideouts.

 

[prion27]

Do you still have your jig? Would you sell it or make me a board with what you have?