Controllers at the prop locations

[racerc20]

Anyone have a fool proof method of putting the controller at the prop so it is protected from the elements.  I normally have my controllers in a shed.  but for Christmas this year 2 of my 3 ac controllers will not be in the shed.  1 will be by the two singing Christmas trees that will be elevated.  I can probably hang the controller from the face stands.  the second will be in the middle of my 17 ft  LED tree.  don't want to clamp to the pole... its a new flag pole...lol

Thanks

 Carl

[PhilMassey]

I have 3 dc controllers and 2 ac controllers in my yard mounted on stakes. Cover with a heavy duty garbage bag. Zip tie the wires inside and zip tie closed. Done.

[racerc20]

ty 

 

[TheDucks]

Make sure that the bottom of the (vertically mounted) controller is at least 24" above the ground (AKA rain splash zone). LOR and the CG series will be fine as long as the water does not rise. Both have door seals that work as long as the door is firmly latched. Add a lock/tighten the screw if little fingers are an issue.

Use some type of waterproofing for the AC plug  INPUT connections if at grade level, and weatherproofed if above grade. This helps avoid GFCI trips.

[sticks4legs]

Rubbermaid containers work great, just cut a small whole for data & extension cable to come in and out.  Easy and cheap at any big box.

[George Simmons]

20 hours ago, racerc20 said:

Anyone have a fool proof method of putting the controller at the prop so it is protected from the elements. 

This is another topic that people seem to enjoy over-thinking.

Every LOR AC controller I have (currently >55) is housed in either a LOR enclosure or a Cable Guard enclosure.  There has been only three times since 2008 that ANY of them has gotten water/snow/ice inside the enclosure.  All three of those times - all three - were because I left the door open.

I've mounted controllers on anything I could find, at varying distances from the ground.  I've even set them directly on the ground in many locations.  I've never used any other container or bag to cover them. But the one thing I've ALWAYS done is to keep the enclosure upright.

With zero failures, I'd say that's a pretty darn simple and foolproof method.

Edited November 6, 2017 by George Simmons

[Robsaus]

I used water resistant tool boxes.  I live in FL and we still get sever rain storms.  I get mine from LOWES. 29.00 for each box then I use waterproof RJ45 and cable connectors.  I left my display out when Hurricane Nate came thru with no water in any of the boxes.  

 

Rob 

 

[dibblejr]

As much as I dislike agreeing with GS I will have to say he is correct.

Mine are all mounted to something outside, either the prop and 2 are mounted to trees using zip ties. I even have 2 laying on the ground and of those 2 one is flat. The one laying flat the door overlap ensures no water gets inside the cover and the holes that the cables run through are filled with 3M 4200 silicone.

I did have a drip of water get in one of my pixie boxes back in July though I have no clue how unless it was in the seal when I opened the door and just dripped in. I didn't see it drip it but it was there.

JR

[racerc20]

Thank you all 

I hung one from in the center of my pseudo mega tree   and one behind the pvc frames for the singing Christmas trees.  much better than running zip cords throughout the yard.  I did cave and cover them with black plastic on the top...one extra protection for that top seal.