Best way to cover switches from elements?

[Mr Tony]

Well I finally redid the T90 project adding 4 4x4 multiswitches to the batch
(see here for more info)

Now here is the question. All the multiswitches are screwed to a 2x6 which is screwed onto the table my T90 dish is on. So obviously its out in the elements

Should I cover them and if so, with what? I was thinking just putting plastic over the whole thing but then again I have had a 4x1 diseqc switch out in the elements for 3+ years now

 

[TiminMb]

I put mine in a heavy duty clear freezer bag, gathered up all the cables together to go out in a single bundle with a cable tie, cable tied the bag tight and cable tied it in a position with the opening down. I also put some clear rtv silicone on the threads of the switch. Here's hoping.

 

[updatelee]

best way to protect switch's from the elements ... bring them inside

 

[rainmaker]

use a tupperware bowl( the square type) run the cables up through the bottom and seal with rtv. nice weaterproof setup and you can still get in to work on the switches when you need to.

 

[Mr Tony]

best way to protect switch's from the elements ... bring them inside

easier said than done. I really don't want to run 16 lines from the LNB's 25 feet into the house

I already have 5 lines coming in (antenna, 2 from motorized, StarChoice & Dish) before I add the lines from the T90

 

[MrTim]

While I agree that covering them is the best, your covering should not be air tight. Air tight covers draw condensation and cause (you guessed it) water problems. The Tuperware product sounded good. Switches should have the cables all going out the bottom. Water should run off the cover. The cover should be allowed to "breath" to avoid condensation.

 

[MrTim]

BTW, in posting today I see my signature has been removed. Anyone else have this problem?

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

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[GrumpyGuy]

I have a post in the following thread detailing how I deal with weatherproofing switches. Hope you find it useful.

http://www.satelliteguys.us/showthread.php?t=83246

 

[updatelee]

here is a pic of my setup, 16 runs into the house I dont have a pic of the outside right now, but it all comes into the house in 2" conduit for easy changes.

 

[brentb636]

I use 3" diameter electrical shrink tube, open on the bottom and stapled and "siliconed" at the ends, with the switch and cable ends inside. Each switch is covered , yet protected .

 

[Davage]

I had always assumed that the switches would have been somewhat weatherproof, but I could be wrong. I've had some troubles with signal strength fluctuating, now I'm starting to wonder if I've got water inside of my diseqc switch. I have all of my dishes mounted on top of my wooden storage shed. It actually wouldn't be much effort for me to drill a few holes and mount my switch inside the shed instead of leaving out out in the elements where it is right now. Before I go through that effort, I'm thinking that I'm going to spend the $5 and buy a new diseqc switch from my local store to ensure that I'm just not mounting a water-filled switch inside instead of outside

 

[Mr Tony]

I have a post in the following thread detailing how I deal with weatherproofing switches. Hope you find it useful.

http://www.satelliteguys.us/showthread.php?t=83246

some good info there. I have some of that silicone stuff and the coax sealer (bought some when Radio Shack discontinued it

 

[Mr Tony]

here is a pic of my setup, 16 runs into the house I dont have a pic of the outside right now, but it all comes into the house in 2" conduit for easy changes.

I wish I could do that. Right now I am running most of the cables into the slot where my A/C stuff comes out of the house. I have thought about drilling a bigger hole but the issue was the drop ceiling that it comes into. Plus the TV is right above the hole where all the cables come in right now.

 

[Hermitman]

I personally use the old Primestar connector boxes. The cables run out the bottom through foam cutouts to keep the bugs and the rain out. And it opens on the side to play with the connectors and switches. Should be gotten for next to nothing. A similar looking telephone junction box might be available from the local phone office.

 

[Mr Tony]

I had always assumed that the switches would have been somewhat weatherproof, but I could be wrong.

These switches are pretty well built. see the below picture. 2 of them are these and the other 2 are the old 4x4 multiswitches that they used for DirecTV Phase II which were designed to be mounted on the back of the dish. So I might just seal them with the coax seal.

I've had some troubles with signal strength fluctuating, now I'm starting to wonder if I've got water inside of my diseqc switch. I have all of my dishes mounted on top of my wooden storage shed. It actually wouldn't be much effort for me to drill a few holes and mount my switch inside the shed instead of leaving out out in the elements where it is right now. Before I go through that effort, I'm thinking that I'm going to spend the $5 and buy a new diseqc switch from my local store to ensure that I'm just not mounting a water-filled switch inside instead of outside

I have a switch that has been outside the whole time (3 MN winters going on the 4th)

The Diseqc switches I have mounted under this table so they are out of the elements but the 4x4 switches are underneath the dish bolted to the top of this wooden table (I wish I could get pictures of it to show what I am talking about). Originally I was going to run the 4 diseqcs to a 4x8 multiswitch in the house but that doesn't work so I have to put the 22k switches first. Maybe I'll just seal these up and lay some plastic over it so it can breathe I'm just worried that if we get snow, the snow will be on top of the switches

 

[Mr Tony]

for a visual, The switches (4x4) are mounted on a 2x6 that runs right along the sandbag (bolted to the table)

 

[linuxman]

Hi Iceberg,

I have been using a cable tv plastic box that I get from a local tv supplier.

I currently have 2 - 3x4 multiswitches and a 4 way diseqc in that box with room for another switch. I just mount it to the mast, and wire tie the swtches to each other.

Edit: It only costs $5.00

See picture below.

Fred

 

[Davage]

I have been using a cable tv plastic box that I get from a local tv supplier.

That's a neat idea! Does it have one of those special locks, that requires the tool to open it up, or does it simply snap shut?

 

[linuxman]

The top has fits over the base with two little edges that fit into the upper part of the base, and it flips down and has a hook for a padlock, but I just stuck a wire through and gave it a twist.

Works great!