Arteom Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 Hello Everyone! I live in Central California where we are in a horrible drought. However, If you believe the predictions, this rainy season is expected to be an "El Nino" season; an intense season of strong rains and winds is among the horizon. As much as I would love the rain, I never turn on my lights whilst it's raining due to fire/ safety issues. Furthermore, after a hard rain I have to do maintenance and make sure all connectors are dry before the show goes live. My worry is, if there is an abnormal amount of rainy days this season, that could delay the show, and potentially ruin a lot of my lights if they are constantly getting soaked. Is anyone else concerned? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papa6058 Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 Here in Oklahoma we get rain, sleet, freezing rain and snow during the Christmas season and I have never turned my show off or had any problems. Well, there was the one year I made a spiral tree out of PVC and we had a blizzard .... The lights were fine as a matter of fact they were still on as I was picking up the pieces of the tree. Papa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TitusCarnathan Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 (edited) Mine runs in the rain with no issues, with the exception with torrential downpours. Edited August 19, 2015 by TitusCarnathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric walls Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 If I had to turn off my show during the rain I would never have a show. I just make sure all my plugs are off the ground and in a way that water can drain out of the sockets. I have never had any problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cdanna77 Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 I had a lot of rain and ice this past Year. Show went on every day with no problems. Well until my hard drive crashed. But that's a another story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomsusie Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 Mine run regardless of weather. Have had rain, snow & ice which (knock on wood) did not cause any problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rainyoregonchristmas Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 I never shut down my show. I live in Oregon, not far from Eric. And I too would have no show if I cancelled because of rain. Two years ago, I setup in the pouring rain, rained almost every day of the season. Last year only rained a hand full of times, but still had most trouble with Tomatoe cage trees, once I isolated them by putting them on plastic fence posts, they worked fine. Usually it is only one or two things that cause problems. Figure out what they are, and either modify them, or replace them with a different decoration. Last year my reindeer were also a problem, so instead of leaving them on the ground, I ran a rope to the second story of my house and made them fly mid season. Solved the issue. If you go to my facebook page Rainy Oregon Christmas, you can find pictures of the differences. BTW at home depot, get the plastic fence posts back in the fencing section. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Fi-Shock-48-in-Plastic-Black-Step-in-Fence-Post-A-48B/203265870%C2'> Just $2.51 each. Solved my issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B.Y.R.G. Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 Bring on the El Nino! We need the water so if my Halloween and Christmas displays take a hit or have issues.....so be it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k6ccc Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 I'm in the Los Angeles area and we need the rain. Last year I was down for two nights when a cabinet leaked and killed a network switch and drenched a 12volt power and my FM transmitter (both the latter survived) but that is fixed, so I will go on regardless of the weather. Everything in the yard is 5 or 12 volt DC, so water is not much of a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arw01 Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 I still have "bought a snowblower insurance", so it won't even snow. It will not snow until it won't start anymore, THEN it will snow.. Weather guys are just guessing. Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Simmons Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 What happens if y'all have the "Big One" and a whole chunk slides off into the ocean during an El Nino? Would that help the drought any? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arw01 Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 Yes and my "beach front property" I bought in Nevada would be worth so much.. he he he he... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimswinder Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 What happens if y'all have the "Big One" and a whole chunk slides off into the ocean during an El Nino? Then my audience would be a bunch of fish... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arteom Posted August 21, 2015 Author Share Posted August 21, 2015 What happens if y'all have the "Big One" and a whole chunk slides off into the ocean during an El Nino? Would that help the drought any?Probably not, but I've always wanted an ocean front property so I'm excited. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Sarge Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 I would have ocean front if that happened..well maybe... I do live right on the edge... and by that I mean on the edge of the actual San Andras Fault line... It runs right along where I live about 1/4 mi. from me on the south side of Palmdale ca. But with the mountains and our higher elevation... about 3,500 ft maybe I would be beach front.... I am on the side of the mountain... and when it slides down if it doesn't slide down to much... now for K6ccc that would be a different story, he is only about 20 mi away the way a crow flies but he is on the other side of the mountain... how long do Blow Molds Float?? Maybe I should look into a few of those... hahaha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arteom Posted August 24, 2015 Author Share Posted August 24, 2015 I find it very interesting that many of you use your lights in the rain.I always assumed this was a huge red flag for generic brand Christmas lights. Are there any little secret tips or installation guidelines one should follow when installing a "rain proof" display (besides taping the female ends of plugs of course.)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Hans Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 I don't tape my female ends or any plugs... just holds the water in! Keep your plugs off the ground so water drains out. Try to isolate metal props from the ground... the plastic fence post above is a good idea. Use GFCI outlets!!!! and you should be safe and good to go. My show runs in all weather. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arteom Posted August 24, 2015 Author Share Posted August 24, 2015 During heavy rains water gets into the female ends of the plugs, Isn't this a safety issue? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k6ccc Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 Not as much as you might think. Rainwater is pretty clean water and does not conduct electricity very well. After it's puddled in the dirt (or run off your roof) is a different story, so keep the dirty water out of your electrical connectors. All kidding aside, I would not recommend picking up the end that flooded with your bare hands while standing in a puddle in bare feet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimswinder Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 (edited) During heavy rains water gets into the female ends of the plugs, Isn't this a safety issue? what k6ccc said... Edited August 24, 2015 by jimswinder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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