Using 55021 Decoder outdoors in weatherproof something or other

[Ralphmp]

Not sure if this is right forum (if not could Mods please advise correct one), but here goes.

I have for some time wanted to put lights in my buildings but I want to take the power for these from the track as, for a number of reasons, I can't run additional wiring circuits / switches to my layout. I also don't particularly want to go down the battery or solar panel route to provide power.

It occurred to me recently that maybe I could use a 55021 decoder I've taken out of a loco to control the lights - this seems a good solution for me as I could use track power, I could control the on/off from my Navigator handset and it would put the decoder to good use.

Only fly in the ointment I can see is that an "unprotected" decoder probably won't like being left out all the time, even if it's in a building, so I wondered what sort of enclosure would be suitable to keep the elements at bay. I've used IP66 rated junction boxes in the past (when doing some external low voltage wiring) and these have stayed watertight. Does anyone have experience of using these to house circuit boards outdoors, or are there alternatives people have used successfully?

I know I could just "try it and see", but even though my spare decoder doesn't really owe me anything, I'd like to avoid trashing it by doing something that's known to be a bad solution.

All suggestions gratefully received. Thanks.

 

[stockers]

My points decoders just live in buildings out of the direct rain. 6 or 7 years now and OK. They are raised off the ground by a simple block of wood which also acts to locate the building. I would be careful about sealing something in too tight a box as condensation will still occur and cannot dry off very easily.
The risk is of course yours but I would suggest a water tight container BUT with a small drain hole in it.

 

[Ralphmp]

Thanks Alan. I did wonder about condensation, but as I appear to have an inexhaustible supply of little bags of silica gel (courtesy of anyone who sends me a parcel containing something vaguely electrical), maybe lobbing a couple of these into an enclosure plus the drain hole you suggest would do the trick.

 

[stockers]

They will certainly help if you remember to change them occasionally.

 

[Neil Robinson]

little bags of silica gel maybe lobbing a couple of these into an enclosure plus the drain hole you suggest would do the trick.

I suggest either a drain hole or a silica gel bag but not both. I suspect a silica gel bag in an enclosure with a drain hole would soon become exhausted with ambient water.

 

[GAP]

Might I suggest a Conformal Coating as used in aircraft avionics to protect circuit boards.

A Conformal coating is a protective chemical coating or polymer film 25-75µm thick (50µm typical) that 'conforms' to the circuit board topology. Its purpose is to protect electronic circuits from harsh environments that may contain moisture and or chemical contaminants.

Something like this.
http://uk.rs-online.com/web/c/facil...aners-protective-coatings/conformal-coatings/

 

[ntpntpntp]

My point decoders are sealed with silicone sealant within "project boxes". Apart from the terminal screws rusting (later replaced by direct soldered wires) they were fine outdoors for the years my line was in existence.




Next time I need to do the same I'll probably look at conformal coatings as Gap suggests.

 

[Deleted member 1986]

Edit:

 

[Gizzy]

My points decoders just live in buildings out of the direct rain. 6 or 7 years now and OK. They are raised off the ground by a simple block of wood which also acts to locate the building.

I did exactly the same, with no issues, and will do so again when the next layout is built....

 

[Ralphmp]

Confident with a soldering iron?
https://www.gscalecentral.net/resources/categories/lgb.14/

Err, confident? Not really (I can usually get so much solder on a joint I can dispense with the lead weights in my loco...)

However, I do know "a man who can" and the article you pointed me at gives clear instructions on where to solder "the wire".

Thanks also for the link to the Screwfix boxes; these would have been what I'd use if I'd not stopped to ask advice from GSC folks.

Might I suggest a Conformal Coating as used in aircraft avionics to protect circuit boards.

A Conformal coating is a protective chemical coating or polymer film 25-75µm thick (50µm typical) that 'conforms' to the circuit board topology. Its purpose is to protect electronic circuits from harsh environments that may contain moisture and or chemical contaminants.

Something like this.
http://uk.rs-online.com/web/c/facil...aners-protective-coatings/conformal-coatings/

This looks interesting; as I have a project box from Maplins lying around, maybe I could plonk the 55021 in there after I've treated it with a some conformal coating.

Once again, I'm indebted to you kind people for giving me things to try that really work. Not saying retailers / shopkeepers deliberately overstate the capability of some of their products, but a lot of them have probably never built and run a garden railway so aren't qualified to say definitely "that'll work".

If the costs aren't too prohibitive, I'll maybe try out a couple of options and do a comparison for ruggedness and ease of installation. I might even get better at soldering as a bonus!

thanks again.