Seaclear Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 I have been doing a Christmas light display for 19 years and I still have my breakers kick off when it rains. What do you guys do to weather proof your plugs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-klb- Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Elevate them off the ground. Possibly cover them from rain from above. But elevating them off the ground, and using ungrounded cords are the big two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seaclear Posted November 4, 2009 Author Share Posted November 4, 2009 Most of mine are still on the ground. I have an Aquarium business and I use fish bags to cover the plugs because they won't leak but they do get condensation in them. Thanks for the tip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobinFL Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Mine just lay on the grass ...no problems. The only time I have ever had problems was with mini trees made from tomato towers sitting directly on the grass. I put small wood platforms under them and the problem went away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy Wiles Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Mark Snead wrote:Most of mine are still on the ground. I have an Aquarium business and I use fish bags to cover the plugs because they won't leak but they do get condensation in them. Thanks for the tip.That may be your problem. I've yet to see anyone truly weatherproof their plugs. Water always gets in. The key is getting the water out. Elevating them off the ground helps to dry them out faster.Unless you are trying to run lights while raining and that's a tough one...J. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cenote Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Jeremy Wiles wrote: Unless you are trying to run lights while raining and that's a tough one...J.My biggest problem is the darn tornadoes. Just make a mess of everything.I began elevating my plugs too, and seems to work. I also try and keep all the exposed females turned upside down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Lott Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Working with a mega tree this year and im worried about all the female plugs on top. Trying to point them all down but who know. Don't want to tape them off or anything like that cause i do not want to trap in moisture as i belive that will make things worse. Thinking about cutting the ends off and taping all the ends but would love to know what you guys do to keep water or snow from tripping you breakers for mega tree.Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank A. Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 Good morningThis is the device I am usinghttp://www.littlegreenhouse.com/accessory/electrical.shtml Attached files Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwertz Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 Mark when you say breakers I'm assuming you mean the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters. If so and you have moisture in those bags, that is probably the problem.As others have said, get the connections up off the ground. If you do cover them with something, make sure it can breathe to prevent condensation from collecting. I've been using wooden stakes with large cups turned upside down over top of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iresq Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 Jeff Millard wrote: PS I almost forgot... If you use LEDs, tape everything! Don't worry about elevating the connections. They'll be fine laying in the mud. You won't have any trouble with trips or corrosion, as LEDs have magical powers and can't be harmed. ... when controlled by LOR run on an Apple computer.That's funny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seaclear Posted November 5, 2009 Author Share Posted November 5, 2009 Dan,I use black electrical tape and tape both male and female plugs on my mega tree. I try to keep the plugs on the round PVC circle on the ground. I have not had any problems with the two trees I have.Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seaclear Posted November 5, 2009 Author Share Posted November 5, 2009 Thanks to every one for all the tips. I'll give every thing a try. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fmsjr Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 Saran wrap and rubber bands. Cheap and easy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wbottomley Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 In my years of decorating (15+), I do nothing to protect mine.They are laying on the ground in the worst possible places.I do get a GFCI outlet to kick but that's about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mb0rn Posted November 7, 2009 Share Posted November 7, 2009 I use the child-proof plug caps on all the open female ends and I haven't had any problems since I began doing that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Simmons Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 cenote wrote: I also try and keep all the exposed females turned upside down.This is clearly a matter of personal preference. I've always preferred keeping my exposed females right side up so I don't have to ask them to repeat themselves so often... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cray Augsburg Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 George Simmons wrote: This is clearly a matter of personal preference. I've always preferred keeping my exposed females right side up so I don't have to ask them to repeat themselves so often...I guess it all depends on what they are repeating, doesn't it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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