[TowerTalk] Weatherproof Sealant

[Pete Smith]

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 at earthlink.net>
>To: <towertalk at 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 at 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 at contesting.com
>http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk