Author Topic: Underwater use  (Read 1588 times)

Offline rimist

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Underwater use
« on: April 19, 2012, »
I'd like to do some lighting in our pond. Is it feasible to waterproof some square modules for long term immersion?

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Offline angus40

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Re: Underwater use
« Reply #1 on: April 19, 2012, »
you will need to totally encase them in epoxy literally soak them in a bath of epoxy let dry and repeat to get several coats on them .
« Last Edit: April 19, 2012, by angus40 »

Offline rimist

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Re: Underwater use
« Reply #2 on: April 19, 2012, »
I think I should have included more detail. We have three ponds, a small one with fish and some plants that has a wide yet short waterfall leading into the larger pond which contains two adult red eared slider turtles, and another small pond filled with plants that has a very small very short waterfall also into the large pond. Estimate the entire setup is approximately 300-400 gallons. I would like to place lights in the fish and turtle ponds, and in the waterfall. Whatever waterproofing I use needs to be resilient enough to withstand turtle bites and claws, as well as non toxic. It does not need to be flexible.

I would like to ensure that neither my family, nor I, nor the turtles get electrocuted. I've been zapped enough times already, and the time from the broken underwater heater was particularly painful.

Would epoxy fit the bill?

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Offline angus40

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Re: Underwater use
« Reply #3 on: April 19, 2012, »
In short  YES , here is a good read for you. :)

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Offline rimist

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Re: Re: Underwater use
« Reply #4 on: April 19, 2012, »
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In short  YES , here is a good read for you. :)

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that was very informative, thank you!
Any recommendations on where I should look for small amounts of their products?

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Offline angus40

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Re: Underwater use
« Reply #5 on: April 19, 2012, »
:)

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Offline Rogelio

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Re: Underwater use
« Reply #6 on: April 19, 2012, »
I used a place called Epoxies.com.  They even sent me a pint sample free. 

Offline chrisatpsu

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Re: Underwater use
« Reply #7 on: April 19, 2012, »
could any of those epoxys leach chemicals into the water and harm the animals?
To rule the entire tri-state area!  What's that? Perry the Platypus!!!

Offline rm357

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Underwater use
« Reply #8 on: April 20, 2012, »
That marine epoxy is white... That would block the light from the LEDs.
Robert
Warner Robins, Georgia, USA

Offline meman

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Re: Underwater use
« Reply #9 on: April 20, 2012, »
From my experience, the clear epoxy potting compounds that you would need to pull this off are quite pricey. And the nodes will still probably try to float unless you embed some lead in with them. Aside from the fun of DIY, I'd probably look at something like these and just be done with it.

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Mike E.
 


Offline Rogelio

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Re: Underwater use
« Reply #10 on: April 20, 2012, »
the product I tried was a 2 part polyurathane. It is an encapsulating compound.  You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
It is water clear.  Only problem I had with this material was it was a little too flexible for me.  There are many other choices.
Roy