✅ AV Integrator’s Checklist: Choosing the Right Projector Enclosure for Indoor vs. Outdoor Jobs

Meta Description:
Indoor or outdoor projection? Use this 5-point checklist to choose between fan-cooled and climate-controlled projector enclosures for your next AV install.

🎯 The Right Gear Starts with the Right Protection

As an AV integrator, your job is to make tech seamless—and that starts by keeping expensive projectors safe in whatever environment they’re deployed in.

But not all enclosures are created equal.

The big question:
👉 Fan-cooled or climate-controlled?

This quick checklist will help you figure out when a lightweight fan-cooled enclosure (like SSI’s Integrator Series) is all you need—and when a Defender climate-controlled enclosure is essential.

📋 5 Questions to Guide Your Enclosure Choice

❓ 1. Is the Install Indoors or Outdoors?

Indoor installs (even in dusty or high-traffic areas) typically don’t require full HVAC control.

🟢 Go Fan-Cooled for:

• Gyms
• Arenas
• Convention centers
• Church auditoriums

🔴 Go Climate-Controlled if outdoors and exposed to:

• Rain
• Snow
• High heat or freezing cold
• Coastal salt air

❓ 2. How Long Will the Projector Stay On-Site?

🟢 Fan-Cooled is Best for:

• Events lasting hours or days
• Temporary rentals or staging setups

🔴 Climate-Controlled is Better for:

• Permanent installs
• Any project running year-round outdoors

❓ 3. What Are the Expected Temperatures?

🟢 Use Fan-Cooled in:

• Controlled environments (65–85°F)
• Covered areas with shade and airflow

🔴 Use Climate-Controlled if:

• You’re dealing with extreme heat (90°F+)
• Freezing temperatures are likely
• There’s high humidity causing lens fogging or condensation

❓ 4. Will You Need to Relocate or Transport It?

🟢 Fan-Cooled Wins Here:

• Lighter and easier to transport
• Ideal for flypacks, touring rigs, and pop-up events

🔴 Climate-Controlled:

• Heavier, more rugged, designed for fixed installs or long-term deployments

❓ 5. What’s the Value of the Equipment Inside?

If you’re protecting a $3K–$10K projector, it’s worth assessing the cost-risk ratio.

🟢 Fan-Cooled is Great for:

• Mid-range gear
• Short-term protection from dust and heat buildup

🔴 Climate-Controlled is Essential when:

• You’re protecting high-lumen ($15K+) projectors
• Your gear is irreplaceable during an active event

📊 Quick Comparison: Fan-Cooled vs. Climate-Controlled

🧠 Pro Tip: Use Both in Your Fleet

Smart integrators keep both options on hand:

• ✅ Fan-cooled for flexibility and fast deployment
• ✅ Defender for mission-critical installs and outdoor permanence

Let the jobsite decide the gear—not the other way around.

🔗 Call to Action: Build the Right Rig for the Right Environment

Looking for lightweight projector protection for your next AV install?
👉 Browse Integrator Fan-Cooled Enclosures at SSIDisplays.com
Or get a side-by-side quote for both enclosure types.