dharker Posted October 22, 2010 Share Posted October 22, 2010 Hello, I purchased CDI's 6w Incadescent "I" flash bulbs and some Christmas Light Show (e-17 strobe) Curtain Strobe lights this year. I have seen lots of talk about various stobes and condensation and weepholes etc. I really hate to be drilling holes in the covers and worriyng if the hole is facing down etc...2 questions: Does anyone know if either of these new stobes must have weepholes ? Is it just an 1/8 hole in the lense on the downward side. Also is there any way for me to really test it- do I just put them outside a few nights or does it need to be raining or moist etc ? ?Thanks so much ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iresq Posted October 22, 2010 Share Posted October 22, 2010 The problem with moisture more relates to humidity changes which causes condensation for form inside the strobe.I have holes in all of mine. Prior to that, I would get a small accumulation of water in most of them.I have purchased some new ones this year but have not taken them out of the box let alone test them.Given your location and time of year, it might be a good time to set some out and see what happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max-Paul Posted October 22, 2010 Share Posted October 22, 2010 Last year was my first year to do a display. I bought some from Daryl (sp?) and did not have any problems with them. They where suppose to be an upgraded version. I put mine in the yard on a spike so that the lens is pointing up.From what I remember reading when I joined the year before is that one of two things might have been happening. That moisture that might have already been in the unit would condense when it was cold enough. And or water was entering via some holes in the base near the brass ring. I think that the manufacture has potted (an epoxy like RTV or other material) the base much better now days and this is no longer an issue. They might also purge the air in the unit with a moisture free gas.So, I suggest you do nothing and keep any eye on the strobes to see if any moisture collects on the lens. Then and only then would I go drilling a hole, but not until it is needed. Put on in the freezer and see if any moisture collects. Put it in so that the base is pointing up.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dharker Posted October 22, 2010 Author Share Posted October 22, 2010 Thanks, sounds like I should hold off on drilling. I did notice on the CLS ones that 2 holes were sealed with the "potted" stuff, I don't remeber seeing holes in the CDI ones. You mentioned facing up. One set is going inside my mega tree and the other on a large pine and I was planning on hanging them down. (no experience with strobes). It may be difficult to get them to point up but what's the reasoning ? Is it to do with the moisture thing or effect ?Thanks for all the helpful info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Simmons Posted October 22, 2010 Share Posted October 22, 2010 Personally, I prefer to mount strobes pointing down wherever possible. That way, if there does become an issue with moisture it will be away from the electronics. Also, if you're placing them above eye level you'll get much better visibility pointing them downward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Simmons Posted October 22, 2010 Share Posted October 22, 2010 The cursed double post... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjdurrant Posted October 22, 2010 Share Posted October 22, 2010 I have several CLS strobes as well.. just put em out last night.. no condensation yet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max-Paul Posted October 22, 2010 Share Posted October 22, 2010 Though I agree with George and his reasoning about point them down so that if there is any moisture that it would hopefully collect on the lens. This just does not work for me and what I am trying to do. See I have Snoopy's Christmas. The old version where it starts out with what sounds like a battle field and with artillery exploding. The strobes are to create the look of a battle field with rounds exploding on the ground.Thats the only reason I have them pointing up. But now thinking about it, I might try pointing them towards the road, should give a brighter flash. Hey thanks for making me talk that out and realize that maybe I can improve the effect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cray Augsburg Posted October 22, 2010 Share Posted October 22, 2010 I'm with George on this. I bought 25 strobe bulbs (incandescant) from WowLights last year. Hung 'em all pointed down. Got some moisture in most bulbs, but it stayed away from the elctronics. After taking them down, I didn't plug 'em in until the cases appeared dry on the inside. They all work fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Don Gillespie Posted October 23, 2010 Share Posted October 23, 2010 OK I have never worked with the strobes but I am thinking of getting some can anyone tell me when you buy the strobes do they come with the cords to plug them in or do you have to build your own cords?? I have about four places that i can use these a couple on the roof for my Santa, and some for my new ginormous reindeer and angewl that my wife has to have ( won't go up this year but next year for sure) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wbottomley Posted October 23, 2010 Share Posted October 23, 2010 All of my CLS strobes have weep holes.My CDI ones do not.Here's a strobe review on Christmas Carolina: http://www.christmascarolina.com/forums/showthread.php/1001-Strobes-CDI-vs-CLS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwertz Posted October 23, 2010 Share Posted October 23, 2010 The ChristmasLightShow strobes used to come with instructions to drill holes. But I think the design has been improved (some).I used a pencil tip soldering iron to make holes in mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ Hvasta Posted October 23, 2010 Share Posted October 23, 2010 it's all a factor of where you live and the moisture in the air.. AZ air is pretty dry, I have 16 strobes on 2 lines and with 5-20% humidity, with the strobe strings stapled under my eves, the strobes point down anyway.Someone living in a place where its more humid or rainy would most likely need to weep-hole the caps, or bases, depending on the strobe mounting, just like the directions say.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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