mcnamara9 Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 If it rains or the lights are wet from a recent rain, will that damage the LOR controller? The controller is covered so the rain doesn't hit it. I'm worried about the lights and the hundreds of plugs/connections out in the yard and if they get wet, do they damage the LOR controller?Does it just blow the fuse in the light strand? Does it blow the fuse in the controller? Does it trip the breaker? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeA Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 This is why we use GFCI's on ALL outlets our controllers are plugged into. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnamara9 Posted November 30, 2010 Author Share Posted November 30, 2010 I assume if the controllers are on GFCI's it trips the breaker and nothing bad happens to the box.What if they are not on GFCI's? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ponddude Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 Well in theory nothing should happen to the controller. As Mike said, hopefully your controllers are plugged into GFCI's and if they detect enough moisture they will just trip and turn off the controllers. It is currently raining here in NJ and I keep checking to make sure all the lights are on and nothing trips. Usually, as soon as something trips I just turn off the show and put on the weather announcement that the demented elf did for me. It also is all over my website that should it rain the show most likely will not be on.As long as your controllers are sealed in their boxes you should be OK. Once your GFCI's trip than you are done for the night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeA Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 mcnamara9 wrote:I assume if the controllers are on GFCI's it trips the breaker and nothing bad happens to the box.What if they are not on GFCI's?If it was my $250 controllers I would unplug them and install some $5 GFCI's then we do not have to "what if" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnamara9 Posted November 30, 2010 Author Share Posted November 30, 2010 Mike Arnott wroteIf it was my $250 controllers I would unplug them and install some $5 GFCI's then we do not have to "what if"I understand GFCI's are probably the better option, but I don't currently have those and I'm not comfortable changing them out myself.So given that, I just wanted to be informed on what could happen. I can turn the show off manually at the first sign of a rain drop (then again, I live in the dessert and by definition we don't get a lot of rain:D).What I'm really wondering is if I can let the show go if we do get some rain without worrying about damaging the controllers. I don't want to turn it off manually if I don't have to. I hope that makes sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulXmas Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 mcnamara9 wrote: Mike Arnott wroteIf it was my $250 controllers I would unplug them and install some $5 GFCI's then we do not have to "what if"I understand GFCI's are probably the better option, but I don't currently have those and I'm not comfortable changing them out myself.So given that, I just wanted to be informed on what could happen. I can turn the show off manually at the first sign of a rain drop (then again, I live in the dessert and by definition we don't get a lot of rain:D).What I'm really wondering is if I can let the show go if we do get some rain without worrying about damaging the controllers. I don't want to turn it off manually if I don't have to. I hope that makes sense.for $15 in Canada I got an outside box and GFCI. I wired a male plug and plug that into my extension cord and the controller into the GFCI.If you wire it wrong it will not work.Better safe than SORRY! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Simmons Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 Now that everyone is finished with the GFCI chant (which I agree with) the answer to your original question, as Greg said, is there shouldn't be any damage to the controller as long as rain doesn't get inside. But I definitely wouldn't recommend that you go around in the yard grabbing things electrical when it's raining.And find a buddy who isn't shy about replacing receptacles. It really isn't difficult or exciting at all if you kill power to the circuit first. There's even instructions in the box with the GFCI receptacle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianlaha Posted December 3, 2010 Share Posted December 3, 2010 Another option if you are not comfortable installing a receptacle yourself is to purchase a GFCI adapter plug. Amazon has a few for under $20. For examplehttp://www.amazon.com/TRC-90265-6-012-Shockshield-Portable-Protection/dp/B000XU5MEG/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1291399313&sr=8-6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnamara9 Posted December 3, 2010 Author Share Posted December 3, 2010 Thanks, I had no idea they even made those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ Hvasta Posted December 3, 2010 Share Posted December 3, 2010 I'm at ValVista & -60, and have done eletrical work.. I'm off Wednesday if you'd like me to show you how, you can do them yourself.. it's really very easy, and safe after you switch off the power to that outlet. PM sent to you with my cell..TJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts