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Hardware => Lynx Smart String => Topic started by: LondoB5 on March 17, 2011,

Title: ATX Power supply and weather
Post by: LondoB5 on March 17, 2011,

Does anyone have any idea how to protect the ATX power supplies required for the smart string hub from the weather?
More importantly, since this is a high current, I'll need a solution that is also lockable, like the demarc boxes. BUT ATX supplies will not fit in a keptel box.

In NJ, if someone dies on your property because of something you have on your property, it is your fault...yeah, that's NJ. So I need to protect this thing from the weather as well as from curious passersby and other morons who don't know what high voltage and/or current is.

I had thought about the giant tupperware-like boxes they sell at target (18"long and 8"deep), but this would not be ideal as it would heat up too quickly and isn't lockable.
btw, we tend to get both snow and rain in Nov & Dec in NJ.

Anyone come up with something as of yet?

Title: Re: ATX Power supply and weather
Post by: tpboyce on March 17, 2011,

Not sure how this works as far as ventilation, but found it very interesting...

http://www.moskaluk.com/outdoor_enclosures.htm

I dropped them a line to see what their experience has been with heat, etc.  I am wondering if some type of snorkel vent high on the case might work.

Title: Re: ATX Power supply and weather
Post by: bisquit476 on March 17, 2011,

I believe that type box is available at Home Depot.

Title: Re: ATX Power supply and weather
Post by: CaptKirk on March 17, 2011,

Are you planning on taking off the case from the ATX power supply?  If not, then there absolutely should be no high voltage issue.  You have bigger issues with the hundreds of 120V power cords going all over your yard than with a closed ATX power supply!  Even if it were wet out, and somehow high voltage arced to the case, your GFI or the current protection in the supply would shut it down.  Worry about weather, not shock hazards beyond what you have now.

Title: Re: ATX Power supply and weather
Post by: LondoB5 on March 17, 2011,

Capt.
I understand what you're saying, and I agree. But the worries aren't about me getting hit with stray current.

I'm just worried about legal issues. I had a small amount of vandalism last year when my display was 1/10 the size and controlled by a PLC/SSR combo. Although the vandals didn't mess with the lights, they did break some of the giant plastic christmas balls I had hanging from one of the trees in my yard.

This year, I'm worried that the vandals will be brazen enough to play with something that could potentially kill them, hence my desire to lock everything up. Because as I said, in NJ if someone dies on your property, it's pretty much your fault.

So any suggestions you may have in this regard are very much appreciated.

P.S. I hate vandals.

Title: Re: ATX Power supply and weather
Post by: CaptKirk on March 17, 2011,

Chain link fence, perimeter alarms, and a taser??  I hate 'em too. 

Seriously, what about just an exterior grade plywood box hinged and hasped?  Could use a couple of 90 degree PVC elbows for venting.  Slope the roof a bit so water runs off, have a platform inside that the PS (and hub) sit on to keep them up out of any wet that might intrude.  If near the house, make it like a tiny storage closet built against the house (and the back bolted to the house) where the front hinges up.  Less fancy than the ODU enclosure but definitely less expensive.  If you were considering tupperware, then you probably like less expensive over fancy.

Title: Re: ATX Power supply and weather
Post by: LondoB5 on March 17, 2011,

I love less expensive over fancy, however, I have no woodworking skills whatsoever (even though I took woodshop and metal shop in high school).

However, I DO like your idea. This has me thinking either plastic toolbox or plastic tacklebox with venting (drawers removed, obviously).

Title: Re: ATX Power supply and weather
Post by: CaptKirk on March 17, 2011,

If you are getting to a size of toolbox that can fit an ATX and a hub, you might as well consider the 53 quart (?) size storage boxes used upside down and chained down somehow.  That would give volume of air so the PS does not overheat.  Again if desired a couple of 90 degree PVC elbows drilled in at the top side of the box would not hurt!!

Title: Re: ATX Power supply and weather
Post by: taybrynn on March 17, 2011,

Could some cheap plastic storage box be used?  How about ventilation / exhaust from the PS ?

Title: Re: ATX Power supply and weather
Post by: keitha43 on March 17, 2011,

I seem to remember in RJ's video showing last years display looked like he was using a storage box that is always sold at Christmas time at Hardware stores. Perhaps he can give more detail as to the size of it. He lives in Florida so heat is probably more of an issue for him that most of us.

Title: Re: ATX Power supply and weather
Post by: chrisatpsu on March 17, 2011,

I plan on running my hub indoors, then running lines outdoors to the SSC's

Title: Re: ATX Power supply and weather
Post by: CaptKirk on March 17, 2011,

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I plan on running my hub indoors, then running lines outdoors to the SSC's

Wow, that is one big expensive waterproofing solution!!  Excellent idea though....

Title: Re: ATX Power supply and weather
Post by: chrisatpsu on March 17, 2011,

the ones that have one, could mount theirs in their "christmas sheds"

Title: Re: ATX Power supply and weather
Post by: scharbon on March 18, 2011,

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I plan on running my hub indoors, then running lines outdoors to the SSC's

Chris,
  I had a similar idea at one point, but asked RJ about limits on distance beween Hub and SSC.  He used up to 25 feet last Christmas, and thought that about 50 feet would work, but it had not been tested, and it was probably at the outer limits.  I think you may need to reconsider your plans if it is more than 50 feet.

Steve

Title: Re: ATX Power supply and weather
Post by: JDM1oc on March 18, 2011,

RJ mentions in this video (8:10 in) http://vimeo.com/18198505 that he has tested the cat5 cable from the hub to the controller at 100 feet without any problems.

Josh

Title: Re: ATX Power supply and weather
Post by: RJ on March 18, 2011,

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RJ mentions in this video (8:10 in) http://vimeo.com/18198505 that he has tested the cat5 cable from the hub to the controller at 100 feet without any problems.

Josh

That was with 60 nodes on the string it might need to be shorter on more nodes. But we need to test to find the resonable limits.

RJ

Title: Re: ATX Power supply and weather
Post by: Trepidati0n on March 18, 2011,

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RJ mentions in this video (8:10 in) http://vimeo.com/18198505 that he has tested the cat5 cable from the hub to the controller at 100 feet without any problems.

Josh

That was with 60 nodes on the string it might need to be shorter on more nodes. But we need to test to find the resonable limits.

RJ

Come on RJ.  We expect full documenation on this by now. Where are the charts. Where are the tables.  Come..there is 24 hours in a day, and if that is not enough...you can work nights.  Also remember that friday is just a way of saying there is two days left in the work week!   ;D

Title: Re: ATX Power supply and weather
Post by: chrisatpsu on March 18, 2011,

I'm not doing anything wild with my Smarts Strings so far...   for this year, i'm running my SS's inside (christmas tree, along a wall, etc.)   I'll venture outside next year.