show time pc ctb16pc

[rednosetbird]

I have been running all cords,lights,and so on....I am about ready to put out controller boxes now,was reading out the controller box,part of it said that its weatherproof,then another part said that its weather resistant...????What do you guys do with your boxes??? I will have them out side...Was thinking about mounting them on a board should I cover them??? Build a enclosure??? please advise...

[-klb-]

I know of several that have been bolted to the outside of a house for several years now, with no extra protection, and no issues.

I know of one, that due to unusual roof/eve line, and extrahard rain, had to be taken out of service for a day to be cleaned and dried. That one has been used for two years since at the exact same mounting location. The only extra precaution is to run a piece of duct tape along the top when closed. And I still don't do that for any of the controllers mounted elsewhere.

[JBullard]

I have 30 controllers, they all set out in the rain and snow with doing NOTHING extra.

If you are not careful, and try to make them waterproof, you may end up trapping water and moisture inside the controller.

They are designed to be used outside.

[rednosetbird]

Thanks...just a little bit worried

[Don]

rednosetbird wrote:

Thanks...just a little bit worried

You could do what I do. Despite others having no issues with them outdoors, I still go ahead and throw a trash bag over the top of them. The bag is secured to the cords to keep the bag from blowing away, but not so tight that there is no air flow. Just enough to keep any water from getting in there.

[jstorms]

JBullard, are you using showtime controllers or PC controllers?

I have PC controllers and am mustering up the will to put 2 out in the elements. Raised enough so no plugs touch the ground.

[JBullard]

I have both in orginal LOR cases, (1 1600 steel case, 7 PC complete) as well as some bare PC and 1600 boards installed in a mix of Keptel and home brew cases.

The controllers in original cases I purchased in 2007. They are out in the elements every year, zero problems. That is the way they are designed to be used.

Since than I only buy the boards and put them in other cases or enclosures.

[-klb-]

My experience is based on 13 personally owned PC series, and about 60 more PC series that I am responsible for.

ETA: All are in factory cases.

[rednosetbird]

Thanks for all of the advice.I will go the extra mile and make a extra box that will mount on the wall,put all of the controller boxes in it,ill leave the bottom open for the cords and air flow. Thanks again.

[Brian Mitchell]

That sounds like a lot of extra extension cords to me.
About the only thing that bothers the boxes is if they get underwater or if it rains up, and a piece of tape over the access hole cures that potential problem.
A box isn't neccessary unless you are trying to hide them.

[CKSedg]

I have 10 controllers (1602s in metal cases) which I have mounted outside every year. It snows and rains and I have never had one problem with water inside.

[Paul Roberson]

Brian Mitchell wrote:

That sounds like a lot of extra extension cords to me.
About the only thing that bothers the boxes is if they get underwater or if it rains up, and a piece of tape over the access hole cures that potential problem.
A box isn't neccessary unless you are trying to hide them.

A box with lots of cords running out of it just screams "there must be something expensive in here".:shock:



Well, ya know, if boxes could scream.

Btw. I do nothing extra to my PC controllers. They are out in the elements and I have never had a problem.

[rednosetbird]

I am not tring to hide them...but was worried about the weather.I'll have to see with the time I have left over this year if ill have the time to build a box or maybe ill just tape the hole and be done.I see that you live in New Hampshire,I have been looking for some one with bad weather,all of there other people live in Texas or other places that the weather is not so bad.Thanks

[-klb-]

A few inches of rain in an hour, days so humid that drops of water hang in the air, but never seem to fall, rather plating out on anything standing above the ground, freezing rain and/or wet snow, typically a couple times or more each of the last few winters, and winds that have bent wire frames.

Yup, we have real nice weather here. Someplace that freezes would likely test the enclosures far less.

[rednosetbird]

So sorry klb....did not mean it that way....When you lived your life up north any where south MOST of the time its a lot nicer then here! Soooo sorry.

[Surfing4Dough]

Plenty of snow and rain here in NE Ohio and never had a problem with PC enclosures. They are designed to be outdoors. Most utility companies use the same type of enclosures to protect their equipment on the side of most houses--they would use something else if there was a problem. The only time I have read of problems is when somebody tries to mod the enclosure to make it better, such as adding weatherstripping or something. That is what breaks the design and leads to problems. Mount them 2 feet off the ground on posts (so the plugs are resting in any puddles) and you should be fine.

[Paul Roberson]

Surfing4Dough wrote:

Plenty of snow and rain here in NE Ohio and never had a problem with PC enclosures. They are designed to be outdoors. Most utility companies use the same type of enclosures to protect their equipment on the side of most houses--they would use something else if there was a problem. The only time I have read of problems is when somebody tries to mod the enclosure to make it better, such as adding weatherstripping or something. That is what breaks the design and leads to problems. Mount them 2 feet off the ground on posts (so the plugs are not resting in any puddles) and you should be fine.

Corrected that for ya.