I use gray pvc electrical "access boxes". You can get a 12"x12"x6" box at HD
or an 8" deep one at a real electric supply store. They run around $25 or so
and come in smaller sizes too. They have a sealing gasket under the cover
and are of the type "approved for wet locations".
I have one at the base of a 160 inverted L for the tuning capacitor which is
mounted on a plastic sheet which is bolted to the inside of the access box.
I also have a couple used for terminating my coax run to the tower. Coax
connections to the boxes are all from below to avoid water entering. After a
couple of years, no moisture problems and easy access when needed.
Les W2LK
-----Original Message-----
From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com
[mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com]On Behalf Of Pete Smith
Sent: Tuesday, January 11, 2005 3:59 PM
To: Gene Smar; keith@dutson.net; towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Weatherproof Sealant
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.
>
>_______________________________________________
>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.
_______________________________________________
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.
_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
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