Cheap Prop Controller Enclosure

David_AVD

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These 500ml food containers are 3 for $2 at Kmart. Just the thing for keeping the weather off your prop controller boards.

There are smaller and larger containers in the same range, varying in price from 4 for $2, up to a few dollars each.
 

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scamper

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I have used similar.
This is one of the many clip it containers that is now going into it's 5th year. never had a drop of water inside and over the years we have had some severe weather.
 

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David_AVD

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With mine I have it attached to the side of the prop. The large hole in the side of the container faces down so even if it were to leak, the water will run out there.
 

videoman3857

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I tried clear (ish) containers for my static display controllers years ago.
They were pretty good, but became brittle in the Qld sun and lasted only two seasons.
But hey, for the price - who's complaining.
 

plasmadrive

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for smaller boards I have used plastic ziplock bag with cable out the opening of course, with the bag turned upside down. Zip tie around the cables.. You could toss in some desiccant just to be safe.. I never had to.

Of course only used them in areas where they were physically protected..
 

David_AVD

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I tried clear (ish) containers for my static display controllers years ago.
They were pretty good, but became brittle in the Qld sun and lasted only two seasons.

Yeah, I wouldn't use these in direct sun. For me it was just a cheap way to keep the boards safe from any water that made it inside the prop.
 

scamper

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I will admit there are cheaper versions of the ones I use, I got mine from Woolworths (just waited till they were on sale)
But I am surprised at how well they are still doing. The one shown, is the original and has been mounted on a fence in direct sunlight every year. In saying that, I did paint it green to camouflage it, although I didn't undercoat it and most of the paint has flaked off now.
 

videoman3857

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I will admit there are cheaper versions of the ones I use, I got mine from Woolworths (just waited till they were on sale)
But I am surprised at how well they are still doing. The one shown, is the original and has been mounted on a fence in direct sunlight every year. In saying that, I did paint it green to camouflage it, although I didn't undercoat it and most of the paint has flaked off now.

i find it almost impossible to make the paint "Stick" always flakes off - even if I use a plastic primer .
I try to make mine look like Christmas Gifts to camouflage them
 

videoman3857

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Nice paint job.
Isn't that paint on metal Scamper ?
I cant get it to stick to plastic. It looks good for a while but then it starts to flake off.
I haven't even bothered to paint my arches for the fear of them looking ratty after a while.
 

videoman3857

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for smaller boards I have used plastic ziplock bag with cable out the opening of course, with the bag turned upside down. Zip tie around the cables.. You could toss in some desiccant just to be safe.. I never had to.

Of course only used them in areas where they were physically protected..

I had to find something to protect one of my outdoor Christmas lights that had an indoor only controller.
I ended up using a large " Chinese takeaway container" Had it hanging with a small hole in the bottom for the cable to run through and for any moisture to exit.
I ended up putting a large bag of desiccant in to absorb the high Queensland humidity at our blinky time of the year.
It worked a treat for that season.
 

Jay.S

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If you want to paint plastic you have to properly prime. If in the US look for Bulldog adhesion promoter at you local Wally World. In Oz, look for Plastikote.
 

scamper

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Nice paint job.
Isn't that paint on metal Scamper ?
I cant get it to stick to plastic. It looks good for a while but then it starts to flake off.
I haven't even bothered to paint my arches for the fear of them looking ratty after a while.
Yes on metal. One box is a power/gas meter box, the other is a medicine cabinet. I stuffed up and painted straight on the power box as I used a paint that said "self priming" I won't believe that again!
 
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