Topband: Waterproofing a tupperware - drainage & advice

[Michael Walker]

We were worried about that.  It just never happened.

If it was a problem, I would have just added some screening to the bottom.

Mike va3mw


On Tue, Sep 27, 2016 at 2:16 PM, Jeff AC0C <keepwalking188 at ac0c.com> wrote:

> How do you keep the bugs from building nests there?  Wasp is a particular
> problem locally.
>
> 73/jeff/ac0c
> www.ac0c.com
> alpha-charlie-zero-charlie
>
> -----Original Message----- From: Michael Walker
> Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2016 12:34 PM
> To: Gary at ka1j.com
> Cc: topband
> Subject: Re: Topband: Waterproofing a tupperware - drainage & advice
>
> Hi Gary
>
> For years we have a Linksys router 50ft up a tower with a container stuck
> (Tupperware Cereal container)  over top of it and no bottom.  We kept it
> wide open.
>
> It has been like that for over 10 years and humming right along.  It has
> seen from plus +40C to -40C.
>
> Our key plan was to make sure it was kept dry and allow it to dry  out if
> it got wet.  Fresh water is normally not an issue.  Air flow is key.
>
> Stagnant water is a problem.
>
> Mike va3mw
>
>
> On Tue, Sep 27, 2016 at 11:25 AM, Gary Smith <Gary at ka1j.com> wrote:
>
> Folks,
>>
>> Hopefully I replied to everyone who sent
>> me such great ideas about waterproofing
>> the Tupperware box. Many expressed
>> concerns about UV damage to the plastic
>> over time and many suggested drain holes
>> that were covered in different ways to
>> protect from insects getting in.
>>
>> I've got an old stainless steel sieve that
>> has a tear around the top. This is a
>> perfect time to cut that into a patch that
>> I will glue onto 1/2" holes in each corner
>> to allow for ventilation and keep the bugs
>> out. I've got some pieces of 3M pad that
>> I'm going to use to plug the holes where
>> the coax enters and leaves the box.
>> Between those holes at the bottom and the
>> air the can get past the 3M pad material,
>> condensation should not occur and bugs
>> should be kept at bay.
>>
>> It's a little different topic but the one
>> thing I can offer to the group on this has
>> to do with the PVC covers that I have over
>> the amplifiers at the base of each one of
>> the antennas. I want to keep mice out of
>> there because I know that they'll just
>> chew right into the wiring so a good hint
>> to keep mice out of anything you want to
>> protect is to use bounce sheets, the
>> fabric softener stuff. Mice hate the smell
>> of that and some friends with antique
>> vehicles put bounce strips under the seats
>> of their vehicles and feel safe that there
>> are no mouse nests to be found along the
>> way. So I stuffed a sheet up inside of
>> each one of those PVC containers. Don't
>> think it repels bugs though.
>>
>> Thank you all for the help I appreciate
>> it.
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> Gary
>> KA1J
>>
>>
>> > Rather than invent a poorly designed
>> > wheel, maybe someone here has already
>> > successfully worked out a better solution
>> > to waterproofing.
>> >
>> > I am using a Sterilite 25" x 18" x 8"
>> > container with secure snap on fasteners on
>> > each side of the lid to house the outdoor
>> > electronics for the 8 circle array. The
>> > lid fits wonderfully and there is a 1" rim
>> > that comes down from the lid to secure the
>> > contents from exposure to rain.
>> >
>> > I have drilled the holes for each coax (9
>> > in all) and cut a slot for the control
>> > wire. I'm planning on wrapping each coax &
>> > the control cable with plastic from a
>> > plastic bag to make the coax snug to the
>> > hole and then gorilla taping that to the
>> > side of the container on each side.
>> >
>> > Any ideas to improve this?
>> >
>> > Another option I've thought of to seal the
>> > openings is to use expansion foam to seal
>> > the holes. My concern is that is that I've
>> > never used this foam before and don't know
>> > how easy it is to remove it from the coax
>> > should I ever need to. Seems like it would
>> > make a great seal.
>> >
>> > Any caveats using the foam instead of the
>> > plastic bag & gorilla tape?
>> >
>> > Another consideration is drainage; the
>> > container will be placed on a large
>> > boulder to keep it above rising salt
>> > water, should there be any from a
>> > storm/hurricane.
>> >
>> > I don't want to make access holes for
>> > insects but I need to keep it dry inside.
>> > Once the holes are sealed there isn't much
>> > access for water getting in. Murphy being
>> > a McGuiver, should I drill a couple small
>> > holes in the bottom for drainage or should
>> > I leave it as is and not provide for
>> > drainage?
>> >
>> > 73,
>> >
>> > Gary
>> > KA1J
>>
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