WeissWelsh Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 Hello everyone,I don't have a problem as of yet, but I was wondering about something. I have a CTB16PC unit that is kept in the garage in a nice dry location and the extension cords go to the outside.Let's say it rained and water were to get into one of my extension cord plugs and make a direct connection between the hot and neutral wires, would my CTB16PC unit be completely destroyed? Or is there some kind of protection to prevent that from happening? Ignore GFCI discussions for the moment. This is just theoretical.Laurie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-klb- Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 It would take really dirty water on a lot of plugs to generate enough load to damage the controller. The closest thing I have experienced is that on a fuse that holds when dry, the extra load from the water blows the fuse. Generally it takes more of a metal to metal short to damage the LOR controllers. In fact, I have one that has survived at least three attempts to power up a shorted C7 bulb, and the controller is still fine.Also, if you have GFCI, it will shut off power to that controller long before water would generate any kind of event that would damage the controller.All the advise about keeping the plugs lifted up above the ground for GFCI fault reduction also applies to reducing the added load generated by wet plugs, as it helps keep dirt and fertilizer out of the plugs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeissWelsh Posted November 17, 2009 Author Share Posted November 17, 2009 -klb- wrote: It would take really dirty water on a lot of plugs to generate enough load to damage the controller. The closest thing I have experienced is that on a fuse that holds when dry, the extra load from the water blows the fuse. Generally it takes more of a metal to metal short to damage the LOR controllers. In fact, I have one that has survived at least three attempts to power up a shorted C7 bulb, and the controller is still fine.Also, if you have GFCI, it will shut off power to that controller long before water would generate any kind of event that would damage the controller.All the advise about keeping the plugs lifted up above the ground for GFCI fault reduction also applies to reducing the added load generated by wet plugs, as it helps keep dirt and fertilizer out of the plugs.Thanks so much!!For some reason I thought that a water connection was just a dangerous as a metal-to-metal connection. Can you tell that I have no clue about electronics? It sounds like, from what you said, that my biggest problem might be a blown fuse. I suppose I should have a few of these on hand just in case. Do I have to buy those directly from LOR or can I find those at Home Depot or Radio Shack type places?Laurie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vipzach Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 You can buy the fuse at radio shack, lowes or HD. They are the ceramic, fast blow type. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bisquit476 Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 Radio Shack - Ceramic Fast-Acting 15amp #270-1040 pkg of 4 for $2.99, and 20 amp #270-1041 pkg of 4 for $2.99 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeissWelsh Posted November 17, 2009 Author Share Posted November 17, 2009 Thanks so much everyone. I was going to RadioShack today anyway, so that works out great. Thanks!!!Laurie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iresq Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 Just keep the away from slugs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-klb- Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 Yes, the photo of the controller that the slug crawled on to was pretty impressive. But he was directly on the card. I don't think you could get the same effect from an open female cord end, or a connected cord set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeissWelsh Posted November 18, 2009 Author Share Posted November 18, 2009 bisquit476 wrote: Radio Shack - Ceramic Fast-Acting 15amp #270-1040 pkg of 4 for $2.99, and 20 amp #270-1041 pkg of 4 for $2.99Thanks so much for the help. I went to Radio Shack and bought the fuses. It was so nice to be able to walk in and tell the person exactly what I wanted (Product number and all. ) Thanks so much!!!Laurie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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