Outside Controllers

[jeremyworkman46]

I have no choice but to leave two controllers outside, exposed to the elements, but under a slight eave on the side of the house (unless I drill a hole in the garage wall). What does everyone do with the controllers that are outside? Do you mount them to something, and if so, how? Do you put them in containers? Also, is Cat5 cable is weatherproof? I can't believe it's one week until I light up!!! It's all starting to come together. Thanks for all the advice, guys. I'm officially hooked!!!

[TJ Hvasta]

[align=left]Jer, first thing.. in the words of Douglas Adams... (A Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy)[/align]
[align=center]DONT PANIC!.. [/align]
[align=center]just breathe!.. In... Out.. In... Out.. [/align]
Ok, nearly ALL of us have our controllers outside, in the weather.. the LOR boxes are waterproof (see the rubber seals around the door?) If the boards arent in a LOR box, then still there's no reason to panic.. find a large enough tub from WalMart, put them in it, cut a hole for the cords and you're good to go. If you dont want to do the tub, then bolt the boxes to a pipe, board or similar stand and stick it in the ground, you can put a black trash bag over the controller and it'll keep any rain/snow out..

Cat5 is rubber coated and unless there are cuts in the jacket (just wrap the cut with elec tape), it'll be fine.

[jeremyworkman46]

Thanks TJ. I have a lot of work to do still, but it can be done, since I took vacation all next week to finish my display. I'm starting to think 7 controllers my first year was a little ambitious! lol

[beeiilll]

What - only 7? Just kidding Jer.
Well TJ gave you all the answers to the questions so far so I guess I can only say Welcome to the hobby.

It does tend to get a little hectic the first year when you are not sure about things but don't worry because it will be just as hectic next year when you realize that you have tripled the size of your display without really trying - LOL.

You have time to get it done so just keep plugging away and you will be enjoying the show before you know it.

Bill

[TJ Hvasta]

Naw, seven should still be a cake-walk! I went from one to three in one week, five two weeks later in my first year, added trhree more in my second and I'm at thirteen now (yr 3).. You'll get it done in time.

[Guest guest]

I have 4 controllers outside, 1 inside and my DC-MP3 Showtime Director/FM Transmitter inside a box also inside.


The outside controllers are mounted (don't laugh too hard) an old portable personal toilet that I removed the toilet components, mounted plywood to the sides, painted it all black and mounted the controllers too it. And it worked out very well!
It is also in an area where the roof line drips right on top of them when it rains, being in an apartment, it was the only place I could place them in the display and still run the main power cord inside through a window, along with my speaker wires and cat5 to the DC-MP3 director.



Only had one issue at Halloween with the 1 controller that's now inside, but it was human error that created the issue, didn't lock down the screw to the door when I had opened it to add another cat5 to it. Left the door slightly ajar and it got wet inside, after it dried out it was fine. So if you have them outside, I put locks on mine as well as make sure that screw is also snugged down (not too tight or you can damage the screw post inside the box!) enough to make sure the controller is weathertight! Rained several times and none of the other controllers have had any issues at all.