DiyLightAnimation

Hardware => Lynx Smart String => Topic started by: MrChristmas2000 on December 17, 2011,

Title: Rectangle modules and rain
Post by: MrChristmas2000 on December 17, 2011,
Has anybody else have rectangles behave eratically after a rain or heavy dew.

I have had rectangle that turn on and stay stuck as well as low intensity. After things dry out things seem to go back to working fine.

Title: Re: Rectangle modules and rain
Post by: JonB256 on December 17, 2011,
Waterproofing is truly a buyer beware sort of thing.

If you can get some CorrosionX at a boating supply store, put a drop or two around the wire entry points and any casing cracks. It will repel any moisture. Be sure it is dry and functioning well, though, or you'll just seal the water inside.

Not quite as good but more readily available is WD40. It won't protect nearly as long.
Title: Re: Rectangle modules and rain
Post by: MrChristmas2000 on December 17, 2011,
Well they are back working after drying out today.

Is that CorrosionX transparent if you spray it over the leds?

It's hard to see any cracks because the rectangles are down in my coro stars.

Thanks
Title: Re: Rectangle modules and rain
Post by: holland lights on December 17, 2011,
I think it is clear, in another discussion there is talk about spraying it all over the led display and all over the board of the Le to prevent corrosion.
Title: Re: Rectangle modules and rain
Post by: JonB256 on December 18, 2011,
CorrosionX will flow out to a thin, transparent layer. Your modules should already have a coating, but any gaps or cracks allow that nasty water in. Once completely dry, the CorrosionX will seal them and keep the water out.

But as many will say, water is persistent and virtually impossible to keep out forever.

Title: Re: Rectangle modules and rain
Post by: MrChristmas2000 on December 18, 2011,
Where did you get your CorrosionX? I tried Home Depot and Ace Hardware without any luck.

How much do you think it would take to cover 90 retangles?

Thanks,

Tom
Title: Re: Rectangle modules and rain
Post by: jnealand on December 18, 2011,
one spray can will cover a ton.  I got mine at the local Grainger supply.  they have outlets all over the US.
Title: Re: Rectangle modules and rain
Post by: MrChristmas2000 on December 19, 2011,
Ok,

Grainger doesn't carry it any longer.

True value does but you have to order it to the store, takes several days and the closest is 20mi.

Found it at a local aircraft supplies house. Its the better quaility they tell me.

I have now applied it to all 90 modules. Rain is coming over the next few days. A good acid test.  :)

I did find out that CorrosionX never dries completely, interesting.

Found and test someting called ZincX that supposedly does the same thing but it has a slight grey tinge to it but dosen't seem to bother the leds too much. I would probably mask the emitter area if I was to go with that in the future.

Title: Re: Rectangle modules and rain
Post by: keitha43 on December 19, 2011,
Some people have found it at academy sports I hear.
Title: Re: Rectangle modules and rain
Post by: rogerwh on December 19, 2011,
The easiest (but not the cheapest) is usually at a marine supply store.  If they don't have corrosion X they will have something similar.  Based on the testimonials on this site I would stock with the Corrision-X if I could. 
Title: Re: Rectangle modules and rain
Post by: Christmas.joe on December 19, 2011,
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I have now applied it to all 90 modules. Rain is coming over the next few days. A good acid test.  :)

I did find out that CorrosionX never dries completely, interesting.

Get a can of Electrical Contact Cleaner so when and if you have to make any repairs and because CorrosionX never dries, you can clean it off and do your repair.  Then touch up as needed.  It can also be used as a penetration oil to un-stick nasty rusted hardware for other things that are not in the electronic arena as well.  It like magic in a can. 

 <pop..
Title: Re: Rectangle modules and rain
Post by: jnealand on December 19, 2011,
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Grainger doesn't carry it any longer.

NOT TRUE.  I just bought mine two weeks ago.  It may not be carried in stock in all locations, but they have it the next day usually.  Just go to grainger.com and search for corrosionx. You will get multiple results, from aerosol to pump sprays, different sizes and types.
Title: Re: Rectangle modules and rain
Post by: Steve Gase on December 20, 2011,
I just ordered some from Amazon, Boatec.
Title: Re: Rectangle modules and rain
Post by: MrChristmas2000 on December 20, 2011,
Inital test in rain is that it didn't keep all the modules from failing in the rain.

After it dries out I'll redo those modules and wait for more rain if it happens before New Years.
Title: Re: Rectangle modules and rain
Post by: rdebolt on December 21, 2011,


NOT TRUE.  I just bought mine two weeks ago.  It may not be carried in stock in all locations, but they have it the next day usually.  Just go to grainger.com and search for corrosionx. You will get multiple results, from aerosol to pump sprays, different sizes and types.
[/quote]

I too just received mine from Grainger. They just have to order it in!
Title: Re: Rectangle modules and rain
Post by: MrChristmas2000 on December 21, 2011,
I'm drying out my failures and going to try it again tonight. I'ts supposed to rain some more.  :(
Title: Re: Rectangle modules and rain
Post by: MrChristmas2000 on December 22, 2011,
Well the modules failed again.

Has anybody used clear paint to seal the rectangle nodes?
Title: Re: Re: Rectangle modules and rain
Post by: rimist on December 22, 2011,
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Well the modules failed again.

Has anybody used clear paint to seal the rectangle nodes?

I've attempted to use various kinds of clear paint in the past for sealing against rain. It never worked. What about the spray on silicone? I know it would make them a pain to work on, but I'm not sure what else is left :(
-Rimist
(http://www.vixenlights.com/sig/sig_h.php/20/20.gif)
Title: Re: Rectangle modules and rain
Post by: chrisatpsu on December 22, 2011,
clear plexidip thinned out with naptha?
Title: Re: Rectangle modules and rain
Post by: MrChristmas2000 on December 22, 2011,
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clear plexidip thinned out with naptha?

Where would you get plexidip?
Title: Re: Rectangle modules and rain
Post by: chrisatpsu on December 22, 2011,
i ordered mine from US Plastic, they ship pretty fast from Ohio. I'm sure others have found it in local places.

heck, for a temporary solution, until it comes in, buy clear fingernail polish (or get some from a wife/gf/mom...etc.)

of brass musical instruments, clear fingernail polish works as a replacement laquer for old horns.
Title: Re: Rectangle modules and rain
Post by: chrisatpsu on December 22, 2011,
oops, i meant clear plasti dip
Title: Re: Rectangle modules and rain
Post by: chrisatpsu on December 22, 2011,
Summit Racing Equipment
20 King Mill Road, McDonough
(770) 288-3200 - Open today 9:00am–9:00pm

try here  found it via Google Shopping for your area
Title: Re: Rectangle modules and rain
Post by: MrChristmas2000 on December 22, 2011,
Is this what you are talking about?

http://www.plastidip.com/home_solutions/Plasti_Dip

Title: Re: Rectangle modules and rain
Post by: chrisatpsu on December 22, 2011,
yeah, i have the can in the middle (without the little bottles of color)  i'm getting ready to coat my nodes tonight. i went to lowes, and pixked up Naptha thinner to make the plasti dip not so thick.

if you look in one of RJ's video's, he talks about dipping the nodes to help waterproof them. I bought from the first batch, and they need it (exposed boards, etc.) it would work on the plastic rectangles (which i'm planning to do also.

sorry for the delay, i'm splicing my strings to get the length i need.
Title: Re: Rectangle modules and rain
Post by: JonB256 on December 23, 2011,
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. i went to lowes, and pixked up Naptha thinner to make the plasti dip not so thick.

In case you didn't know, the regular cans of Lighter Fluid (zippo or ronson type) is pure Naptha.
It may be cheaper (or it may not be, but it is readily available)
Title: Re: Rectangle modules and rain
Post by: chrisatpsu on December 23, 2011,
good to know...  a can of Naptha at Lowes was around $7 for a quart
Title: Re: Rectangle modules and rain
Post by: MrChristmas2000 on December 24, 2011,
Bought a can of the spray. Have processed some of the modules that were giving me trouble and it is going to rain on Sunday  through early next week so I'll see how it works.