Almost gave up last night (almost)

[jerryinmich57]

Ok first off this stuff is AWESOME as long as it all works right, Which up until last night was my experience I was so proud of myself. I got in on the renss 16 group buy A few weeks back or maybe a month ago. I got the package full of little parts and a board but all went well and it worked. And has been working fine for the last two weeks 4 hours a night every night until last night.

when I started everything up last night 5 of the 16 channels were on and would not turn off and there were cars rolling by slow but no show last night really disappointing.

So today I started troubleshooting but could not find anything then I saw a drop of water on the board so I set the board of the furnace heat duct for a while and all is well again.

So I would like to ask how do you all protect from the weather. I have mine pcb mounted on a board along with my 16 plugs under a plastic tote in the front yard with the control cord and a extension cord running to it from the house. I would like to keep it inside but cannot see 16 cords running out the window.
thanks for any suggestions
Jerry

[dj merritt]

Mine are mounted inside a plastic tupperware cake pan from wal-mart. we have had lots and lots of rain and no problems to date.

Merry christmas
Bud & melissa

[mkess]

I use PVC junction boxes with water tight connectors. In theory they should work but i guess if they are completely in the open you still get some seepage through the gasket. I just go out with a hairdryer and dry it off before the show starts.

[budude]

You might try putting the bins inside plastic bags doubled up. I found some 2-1/2 gallon zip-loc type bags that I put over my boxes. A little extra silicone caulking around the holes might help as well. Just keep in mind that if there is still a chance for water to get in, the important thing is that the water can get back out as well so sometimes it's good to have a small hole open in the bottom as long as it doesn't sit in standing water.

[51fordf2]

Just keep in mind that if there is still a chance for water to get in, the important thing is that the water can get back out as well so sometimes it's good to have a small hole open in the bottom as long as it doesn't sit in standing water.

Perhaps this is the best advice...I have been using a conglomeration of enclosures, from TA-200's and empty plastic coffee jugs for SSR's, and the CG-1000's, and CG-2000's. They all work, and have all been through three or four days of serious rain, as well as one day of rain and 50 mph wind gusts. Not a single problem. But, they ALL have the holes at the bottom, and are definitely NOT sealed - what water does get in, I want to run right back out again. And the holes are "fairly" large - big enough for the cables, and about the same amount of space as the cables, again. And so far, it has been working perfectly, and I would do it exactly the same again. Water is like mice, it seems to me...if it has a 1/16", it WILL get in! The secret is to get it out, as soon as possible, before it sets up camp...

YMMV, but it is my $.02 worth...

R