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<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Calibri>It is almost impossible in a normal installation
to get a totally waterproof enclosure.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Calibri>What you describe with the flooded box is
more common than people might think. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Calibri>What causes most of that is condensation. Humid
air gets sucked into the enclosure at night or whenever else it cools off. The
water then condenses inside. Next day, the box heats up again and the air
expands a bit again, but the water has already condensed and cannot get
out.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Calibri>That is why the weep hole as you noted is
mandatory, especially in areas with high humidity. But we have seen this even in
the desert regions of Arizona and CA, so it can happen anyplace over long
periods of time.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2
face=Arial>..................................................................................................<BR>Northern
Arizona Wind & Sun - Electricity From The Sun Since 1979<BR>Solar Discussion
Forum: <A
href="http://www.wind-sun.com/ForumVB/">http://www.wind-sun.com/ForumVB/</A><BR>..................................................................................................</FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT: 10pt arial; BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=jryago@netscape.com href="mailto:jryago@netscape.com">Jeff Yago</A>
</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=kirk@vtsolar.com
href="mailto:kirk@vtsolar.com">kirk@vtsolar.com</A> ; <A
title=re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
href="mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org">RE-wrenches</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, August 25, 2009 8:40
AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: [RE-wrenches] raintite box
mounting angle</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Calibri></FONT><FONT size=2
face=Calibri></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, sans-serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">
<DIV><FONT face=Calibri></FONT><FONT face=Calibri></FONT><BR>I am getting more
convinced that there is no such thing as a water-tight electrical enclosure,
regardless of gasket covers and sealed openings. We always drill a very
small "weep-hole" in the bottom of an enclosure. We have
found this is too small to allow insects to enter, but will drain any
leaks or moisture that gets condensed into a liquid. I was
recently called by the owner of a large pole mounted array (that was
installed by another firm ) when the system stopped working and the originally
installer was long gone. I absolutely swear to you that when I
pulled the covers off several electrical junctions boxes, water POURED out of
the enclosures! I am not talking about wet, I am saying about a
quart of water was being held inside each enclosure by their water-proof
gasketed covers. Needless to say, all of the electrical terminals and
wire connectors inside these junction boxes were badly corroded.</DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>I know they make totally water-proof electrical equipment for
under-water applications, but have found most outdoor rated electical
enclosures will get some water inside and that includes under-ground
conduit. Take some advice and regardless of mounting orientation,
drill a small weep-hole in the bottom if there is not one provided by the
manufacturer.</DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>Jeff Yago</DIV>
<DIV>DTI Solar</DIV><BR></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>