Bizywk Posted September 12, 2013 Posted September 12, 2013 This is probably another dumb and repeated newbie question, but my search didnt yield the answer so my apologies in advance and here goes: We've never had animated displays before and I could use a little experienced advice on how to deal with weather. I commissioned a pack of professional voiceovers recently to help keep our viewers out of hot water with the neighbors and the pack came with weather related display shut down announcements for the viewers. I hadn't thought much of it until now. In our static displays, we always just taped up all the ends really well, set the lights on timers and came back after the season was over to clean-up. Now that we've made the jump to automation and included a fair amount of DMX, should we be much more sensitive to weather changes? Are we underestimating the sensitivity of these controllers and/or DC signal/power problems? We're sealing up all the connections, using yards and yards of shrink tubing, tubes of RTV and rolls of electrical tape to seal everything in. Obviously, we'll have a diminished show quality if its pouring rain or driving snow during the show, but should we be much more concerned over wet weather conditions even when the precipitation isnt in the air?
LORisAwesome Posted September 12, 2013 Posted September 12, 2013 If you are using GFCI outlets, (IMHO you should) you might get GFCI trips when it rains. Taping connections does not seem to help, if anything it may make it worse by trapping water which can not get out again. Most people will tell you to keep your connections off the ground if possible. I bought some light stakes at Home Depot and I use these to hold the plugs up off the ground. Works really good. I've never had a GFCI trip on any of these connections. Jerry
Dave Batzdorf Posted September 12, 2013 Posted September 12, 2013 If you are using GFCI outlets, (IMHO you should) you might get GFCI trips when it rains. Taping connections does not seem to help, if anything it may make it worse by trapping water which can not get out again. Most people will tell you to keep your connections off the ground if possible. I bought some light stakes at Home Depot and I use these to hold the plugs up off the ground. Works really good. I've never had a GFCI trip on any of these connections. Jerry Agree, leave the connections open. Just ensure that your LOR controllers are in a weather tight case. Once or twice a season I need to shut down the shows for tripping issues - usually the metal reindeer and mini-trees. I have elevated them off the ground, but still have a few that don't like the rain. When I do shut down, I built a Bad Weather sequence that only has the house stuff on with a voice over explaining why and when it will be up and running.
Bizywk Posted September 13, 2013 Author Posted September 13, 2013 Is there an undo button for manual weatherproofing? Argh.....
Dave Batzdorf Posted September 13, 2013 Posted September 13, 2013 Bizywk - I think your avatar speaks to that!
75redman Posted September 13, 2013 Posted September 13, 2013 I use the child proof wall outlet plugs for all my open connections. Works great!!
Orville Posted September 13, 2013 Posted September 13, 2013 I use the child proof wall outlet plugs for all my open connections. Works great!!I'll second this one for the child proof wall outlet caps. I, too have been using these for 3 years now. Before I did, I had GFCI trips out the ying-yang, and it was getting frustrating having to reset my GFCI every time it drizzled, sprinkled or rained and shut my display down. Not to mention if I wasn't home and came to find the display dark because it was raining or had rained and tripped the GFCI. So I very rarely have a show shutdown after using these. Best little plastic pass-through and female plug inserts I ever invested in! These child proof outlet caps are usually a very bright white, but I bought a few cans of cheap Wal-Mart black spray paint and painted all mine black so they aren't very visible, if at all unless you're really looking for them. I would guess I probably use about 300-400+ of these on multi end extension cords, all pass through plugs {on the female side} and the end female plugs. They have kept the water out of the pass through plugs and the female plugs at the end of the light strings, even when I found a few submerged in a water puddle, they didn't trip my GFCI, these things fit snug and are watertight as long as they are inserted fully. Again, they work fantastically! Definitely wouldn't be without them in my display!
TitusCarnathan Posted September 13, 2013 Posted September 13, 2013 Never Tried the child proof plugs, But amazon has a 144 pack for about $11 http://www.amazon.com/Mommys-Helper-Outlet-Plugs-Pack/dp/B00081J3N6/ref=pd_cp_ba_0
Orville Posted September 14, 2013 Posted September 14, 2013 (edited) These are the ones I use: http://www.walmart.com/ip/GE-Outlet-Safety-Covers-Clear/16561524 30 covers for around $1.50¢/pack and I paint them black, that's 150 for $7.50¢. Now this was about a year and a half or so, so they could have gone up in price a little. There is no price listed on Wal-Marts site as they an IN-STORE ONLY Item. 3 years ago I actually paid less than $1.00 for each 30 pack, around 2010 when I got started in LOR and using these, they were .98¢ for a 30 pack. Last time I bought them just about a year and half or so, they were around $1.50¢ in stores, even if they are $2.00¢ today, still would be 150 {5 packs} for $10.00¢. Added cost would be if you want to paint them black, which I would really recommend doing! You don't need to paint the inside of them {the part that inserts into the plug itself}, just the outside, visible part {back of the insert} as the white will stick out like a sore thumb when the lights are on and even when off in some instances. I use a flat black paint on them, because I don't want them shiny to reflect any light! Edited September 14, 2013 by Orville
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