Arch sizing

[bpratt]

IN theory rain shouldn't get inside the tubing thanks to gravity. However, being in the sun during the day i'm not sure if condensation is something to be considered?

Perhaps a small hole near the peak of the arch to provide ventilation ?

or even no hole in the top, but the end of the tubing plugged up to keep moist air out of getting up there ?

 

[David_AVD]

The meteor tubes hanging in my tree always get condensation and I'd expect the same for the arches. Using either resin sealed and silicone sleeved strips would be the way to go. The "non-waterproof" type will likely corrode and are flimsy at the best of times.

 

[bpratt]

Thanks David, that has answered the question without doubt.

 

[darrenr]

Here's my arch design.
I'm planning on using bare strip inside with no silicone tube..
Gravity will sure keep the water out form the top part, but there's potential for it to get into the base, and once water is in it could lead to condensation forming thru the top part too - especially when the sun gets on it!
My idea it to bing the flat pigtails out thru a notch I create in the inspection port, and seal all the connections with little screws and then coating the joints with dielectric grease to keep the water at bay.
Any other suggestions??
View media item 1087View media item 1088

 

[OzAz]

Air seeder along the bottom, are you going to have lights in that section too?

My arches are 3m arch with 2m along the bottom = 1 length of 5m strip. Also 4 arches (2m wide) fit very well into my just over 8m wide garden bed.

 

[djgra79]

How are you going to stand those up and support them @darrenr ?
Given the price of air seeder tube I would have saved it for lighting up only and used some other type of material as the base, but just my 2c.

 

[darrenr]

Hey @djgra79, these are not the traditional "stand up on your front lawn" arches, they will be attached directly to the front fence so need for any supports.
Appreciate the comments, the base will be lit too so not "wasting" any as such. Thinking of some "looping" effect as well as the usual arch effects.
Still have about 15m of tube left over... need to figure some out for that - but prob next year - enough to do already!!!

 

[djgra79]

ahhh makes perfect sense now!
And yes I too have my pigtails coming out of the join in my arches feet. Connectors are sealed into the silicone tube of strip anyway so no issue if any water (which never has) gets in there.