Best way to cover switches from elements?

[Davage]

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!

I've got a contact with the local cable system here. I'm going to see if I can get my hands on one

 

[Mr Tony]

Here are osme pictures of the switches. As I said this is bolted right on top of the table under the dish

 

[voomvoom]

Nice picture's Tony!

Al

 

[updatelee]

why not just put them under the table ? Id still put them in an electrical box (you can get them cheap at home depot), but depending on the amount of rain you get, you might not even need to.

 

[Anole]

perhaps a small umbrella ?

Since the switches aren't mounted to the board yet (as best I can tell)...
...can you...

1) stack the switches one on top of another , then put one covering over all?
Some kind of deep-dish tupperware, maybe?
- or -
2) varnish the board, screw the switches down in-place as shown, and put an upside down tupperware container over each?
Notching the edges of each for cables, of course.
- or -
3) saran-wrap the whole thing, put in a breather hole or soda straw, then put the sand bag back in place?
- or -
4) add two inch "sides" to the board, then fill the whole thing with 2" of potting material
The silicone kind, not potting soil. ...though....
- or -
5) I really liked the "under the table" idea promoted above. Are your cables long enough?
- or -
6) spray the whole thing with some sort of water-proofing goop, and forget about it?

That's all I got. Anyone else?

 

[Mr Tony]

why not just put them under the table ? Id still put them in an electrical box (you can get them cheap at home depot), but depending on the amount of rain you get, you might not even need to.

its the snow I'm more worrieed about

 

[Mr Tony]

Since the switches aren't mounted to the board yet (as best I can tell)...

actually they are. The 2 middle ones are with some wood screws and the 2 outside ones are with 2 1/2" bolts
...can you...

2) varnish the board, screw the switches down in-place as shown, and put an upside down tupperware container over each?

that is a possibility

3) saran-wrap the whole thing, put in a breather hole or soda straw, then put the sand bag back in place?

thats what I was thinking. Putting plastic over it leaving ebnough air to keep condensation out

5) I really liked the "under the table" idea promoted above. Are your cables long enough?
- or -

I got about 1500 feet of cable and 200 compression ends. All of the cables form the LNB's to the switches were made yesterday. The only problem with the under the table is I would have to put it on another side of the table (the table has a big wood "X" through it so underneath there are 4 "sections"

6) spray the whole thing with some sort of water-proofing goop, and forget about it?

That's all I got. Anyone else?

I was thinking of sealing the conectors and leaving it at that. The 2 switches on the ends are normally mounted outside on the Phase II dish

 

[Keith Brannen]

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.

That is way too neat!!! (good job!)

I have 11 lines coming into the house, and the spot where the 8 FTA lines meet the 22KHz switches and the DiSEqC switch I have affectionately named "The Spider"!

 

[Keith Brannen]

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

My 2x2 Star Choice multiswitch use to be mounted on the dish mount assembly. It worked well for quite a few years, but last winter (naturally) we began to experience signal dropouts and sometimes complete loss of signal. Spent too many nights last winter out in the freezing cold on a ladder with a hairdryer when water/ice got into the connectors! Typically, it only would knock out the mainly English satellite, and never knocked out the mainly French satellite. This summer I ran new lines from the LNBs into the house and mounted the multiswitch inside.

 

[rainmaker]

you could use one of those plastic storage boxes that you slide under you bed they come in all shape and sizes.

 

[Mike500]

Ice.........

I've got these heavy duty neoprene and polymer gasket sealed boxes from a failed DSL DOT COM service company. The walls are 3/32" thick UV stabilized HDPE, I guess. These are like the telephone company service entrance boxes; only slightly heavier. They are designed to last 15-25 years. Inside dimensions are 7x7x2 inches. I have carefully removed the unneeded partitions from the center bottom, so that the entire inside is usable. The closing screws are stainless steel going into solid brass inserts. Tho mounting ears at the top and the bottom allow strapping the box to a pole with wire ties. Screw holes allow fastening to a wall or a board. The open one in the photo has the gasket insert removed om the bottom to show the 1.25x1.25" opening. With the gasket, four rg6 cables can pass through each of the two openings.

If you want them, I can deliver one for $18 by Priority Mail or two for $29.

Send me a PM, if you are interested.

 

[Mr Tony]

you could use one of those plastic storage boxes that you slide under you bed they come in all shape and sizes.

now that ain't a bad idea

 

[Anole]

I was thinking you needed a plastic container about the size of a shoe box.
Those under-bed storage tubs are perfect - as are kitchen dish-washing tubs.
Just the right size - you'll probably want one about 4 to 6 inches deep.
You can even cut one down if you insist, and contour the edge to go up and down over your board 'n cables.

To solve the condensatiion problem, consider one or two 4 or 7 watt nite-light bulbs.
I used to put two of 'em in series on 110vac to provide warmth for my lizard collection.
In that mode, they just glow orange, and last forever.
Experiment to arrive at the proper heat level.
Don't go crazy and put in a thermostat... well, that's up to you.

 

[Dishpointer]

I have been using these sprinkler controll boxes for years. It easily will hold a DPP44 switch, a few diplexers, and has gaskets at the bottom to run the cables through. I recently picked up a few from Home Depot for $2 each. Now is a goot time to check because it is the end of the season for lawn sprinklers. Here's a few pics.

 

[Mr Tony]

Thanks guys!
Guess I'll have to run to Home Depot, Lowes or Menards and see what I can find

 

[BKP]

For a quick fix before it snows - screw a board to one side of your 2x6, drape a piece of plastic over it and weight the plastic down.. At least this would keep the snow off your switches..

 

[Shawn95GT]

I have the 11MDEGYS on the side of my house.

from: hometech.com

It is built from pretty thin plastic but it has a ton of room inside for ground blocks / multiswitches / etc.

I bought it when I had Voom installed and I currently terminate 16 RG-6 runs in there including the c-band ribbon.

 

[Mr Tony]

For a quick fix before it snows - screw a board to one side of your 2x6, drape a piece of plastic over it and weight the plastic down.. At least this would keep the snow off your switches..

I might have to do that tonight as we are suppose to get freezing rain then snow the next 2 days

 

[CWOPS]

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

Go to your electrical supply house (not a home improvement store) and get a weather-proof housing to mount the switches in.

 

[Anole]

I took a look at Lowe's and Home Depot today, for the sprinkler control boxes.
I was thinking about using one myself, after reading the good ideas in this thread.
Both places wanted $30 for 'em.
...but then, even Xmas is not winter here in the south-west.

I did find interesting covers for some sort of tall storage containers.
The covers had 5 sides, and would be suitable for Ice's situation (open side down).
They're around 8 x 13 x 6, maybe... and only $5.
Took pictures, but probably not worth uploading.

Maybe someone will come up with a better (cheap) solution.