Tunnels
Pedestrian and transit tunnels
Projection in tunnels turns long, plain walls into wayfinding, art or advertising. Tunnels also trap moisture, collect dust and see wide temperature swings near the portals.
Below ground, projectors face damp air, condensation, dust and very little airflow. An underground projector enclosure gives the projector a protected space of its own.
Tunnels, basements, parking garages, mine and cave attractions and subway displays are all spaces where projection can make a big impression, and where a bare projector struggles. ProjectorEnclosure.com matches the enclosure to the space: the Defender Series for harsh, damp or uncontrolled areas, the Integrator Series for conditioned spaces, and projector cages where vandalism and tampering are the main risk.
Projection in tunnels turns long, plain walls into wayfinding, art or advertising. Tunnels also trap moisture, collect dust and see wide temperature swings near the portals.
Subway and metro displays run long hours in busy public areas, with brake dust, damp air and passers-by within arm's reach.
Garages are open to outside air, exhaust and road dust, and they are rarely heated or cooled. Projectors used for signage or art there need protection from both the air and from tampering.
Basement theaters, venues and exhibit spaces can be damp, especially below grade or near mechanical rooms. Some are fully conditioned; many are not.
Show caves and mine tours use projection to tell their story. Natural caves are often very humid and drip water, and mines can be dusty.
Underground plazas, concourses and service corridors share the same issues: little fresh air, persistent moisture and dust.
A projector pulls a steady stream of air through its body to stay cool. Whatever is in that air ends up inside the projector. Underground, that air is rarely clean or dry.
The right underground projector enclosure depends on whether the space is conditioned, how damp and dusty it is, and how exposed the projector is to the public.
| Space | Recommended | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Damp, dusty or uncontrolled spaces: tunnels, caves, mines, open parking garages, unconditioned basements | Defender Series | Climate-controlled, all-weather and IP66-equivalent. The projector runs in its own controlled space instead of breathing damp, dusty air. |
| Conditioned spaces: climate-controlled stations, finished basements, indoor venues and covered areas | Integrator Series | Made for climate-controlled spaces, indoors or covered, where the surrounding air is already managed. |
| Vandal-prone spots where physical protection is the main need | Projector cages | A cage puts a physical barrier around the projector in places people can reach. |
When the space is humid, dusty or not heated and cooled, the Defender Series is the recommendation. It is climate-controlled and IP66-equivalent, so the projector is kept apart from the conditions around it. Where an ultra-short-throw projector is needed close to a wall, the UST Defender is also IP66-equivalent.
If the underground space is already climate-controlled, such as a finished basement theater or a conditioned station concourse, the Integrator Series is built for that setting, indoors or covered.
In public areas where people can reach the projector, a projector cage adds a physical barrier against tampering and theft.
For the Defender Series, sizing is power first, then physical fit. In a space with little airflow, getting the heat side right matters even more.
| Defender size | Cooling wattage |
|---|---|
| Small | 500 W |
| Medium | 1,500 W |
| Large | 2,500 W |
| Large Plus | 3,500 W |
| Extra Large | 4,500 W |
Check for drips, seepage and splash from cleaning before choosing a mounting spot. Avoid mounting directly under joints or pipes that drip.
Underground and damp locations have their own electrical requirements. Use a licensed electrician and follow local code.
Mount where a technician can reach the enclosure to check filters and clean the window, while keeping it out of easy reach of the public.
In stations and garages, mount high enough that people and vehicles do not block the beam.
Dusty sites need regular window cleaning and filter checks. Put it on the maintenance schedule from day one.
Condensation often forms when equipment cools down. Climate control helps keep conditions inside the enclosure steady between shows.
The Defender Series. It is climate-controlled, all-weather and IP66-equivalent, and it is the recommendation for harsh, damp or uncontrolled spaces such as tunnels, caves and mines.
If the space is already climate-controlled, the Integrator Series is designed for climate-controlled spaces, indoors or covered.
Projector cages add a physical barrier in vandal-prone spots. If the garage is also damp, dusty or open to outside air, talk to us about the Defender Series as well.
Underground air is often humid and cool. When warm, moist air meets cooler surfaces, or when a projector cools down after a show, water can condense on and inside it. A climate-controlled enclosure keeps the projector's surroundings steadier.
Power first, then physical fit. Defender sizes by cooling wattage: Small 500 W, Medium 1,500 W, Large 2,500 W, Large Plus 3,500 W and Extra Large 4,500 W. Send your projector model and we will confirm the size.
Every enclosure has a 1-year warranty.
ProjectorEnclosure.com is a Screen Solutions International brand with 20+ years in business. Send us your projector model and a description of the space and we will recommend Defender, Integrator or a cage, and the right size.
Email ssisales@ssidisplays.com · 269 Technology Way, Ste 1, Rocklin, CA 95765