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Re: [TowerTalk] Weatherproof Sealant

To: "Gene Smar" <ersmar@comcast.net>, <keith@dutson.net>,<towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Weatherproof Sealant
From: Pete Smith <n4zr@contesting.com>
Date: Tue, 11 Jan 2005 15:58:45 -0500
List-post: <mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
I've been using Rubbermaid "Rough Totes" as weather covers for relay switchboxes and my 160M shunt feed caps, U-bolted through the bottom to the rungs of my tower. In the first one of these I did, I just cut a nice big rectangular hole in the side that faces down, for all the coax lines to emerge. A few months later, I opened the cover and surprised a field mouse who had built a nest on the terminal strip of the antenna relay box. Subsequent editions use much smaller slits that can be pulled closed to provide minimum cable clearance. I expect to need to replace these every few years due to UV, unless I get really ambitious and paint them with plastic paint. In any case, $3-4 per enclosure is pretty reasonable.

I also used one of the NEMA plastic boxes with the O-ring cover seal for an antenna array relay box, and found it stayed nice and dry so long as all of the holes for coax connectors and control lines were in the downward-facing side. This box has been out in the weather for 7 years, and except for some discoloration from UV, presumably, it remains tight and dry.

At 10:51 AM 1/11/2005, Gene Smar wrote:

Keith:

     You might try bathtub caulk to seal the penetrations.  However, if
you've accumulated that much water in the box, I would recommend you include
provisions to drain it.  A couple of small (quarter-inch) holes in the
bottom of the box should do it.  You can find screening material to apply
across the opening; the material will keep critters from establishing a home
inside the box.

73 de
Gene Smar  AD3F

----- Original Message -----
From: "Keith Dutson" <kjdutson@earthlink.net>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 11, 2005 10:17 AM
Subject: [TowerTalk] Weatherproof Sealant


> I need to weatherproof a relay box. Under test conditions it accumulated an > inch of water in the bottom over a six month period. What is a specific > brand of silicone sealant recommended? I understand the kind with vinegar > smell (acetic acid) will corrode electronics components in a sealed > environment. Also, is there a need to insert a desiccant in the box? > > The box is NEMA industrial type, made of plastic with neoprene o-ring seal > on lid. However, there are many holes drilled for stainless hardware used > to mount the relay and connect wires to the exterior. The relay itself is > the open contact variety with self-cleaning contacts (hot switch 20 watts > RF), and supposedly impervious to damp conditions. > > Thanks for any advice. > > Keith NM5G > > _______________________________________________ > > See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA. > > _______________________________________________ > TowerTalk mailing list > TowerTalk@contesting.com > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk

_______________________________________________

See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.

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_______________________________________________


See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.

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