Waterproofing Pixels
Note from Sandevices.com
Sandevices.com the manufacturer of the E680-E682 Series Pixels Controllers has the following note.
"There are additional considerations for outdoor displays. The first is waterproofing. Bear in mind these comments refer
to the popular Chinese‐made pixel strings. First, it’s important to understand the original purpose of these pixels. They
were designed to be installed in digital signs, pushed in from the back of the faceplate of the sign, in a pretty closelyspaced
grid. So, they are relatively waterproof, as in designed for outdoor use, but there originally intended application
doesn’t subject them to direct rain or snow because they are pretty‐much shielded by the sign enclosure.
The weak spot is that there are two sets of wires going into each pixel, two 3 or 4‐consuctor flat cables. These two flat cables are just pressed against each other and they enter the pixel through a single hole in the silicone. The problem is that there is no silicone between the two sets of wires, and this not only creates a potential entry point for moisture, with a ‘hanging’ string, the weight of the string will tend to pull the silicone apart slightly, allowing a larger path for water entry. Some pixels are made from a pretty stiff silicone, others are made from silicone that’s a lot more flexible. Those made from the stiffer silicone are probably more inherently waterproof, but those made of the softer stuff do lend themselves to some additional waterproofing by a quick shot of hot melt glue between the two sets of wires. The silicone is soft enough that you can just jam the tip of the glue gun in, forcing the wires apart a bit, then you shoot in a dab of glue, and when you remove the gun the silicone snaps back and seals everything up tightly. I personally ran 40 strings of pixels this year, about 20 of each type. I did do the hot‐melt glue waterproofing of the softer pixels. All strings survived the season."
Waterproofing Pixels Videos
There are several videos of different methods to waterproof pixels.
Plastidip Diping Pixel strings in Clear Plastidip
Liquidtape Injecting Liquid Tape into the back of Pixel Nodes
Supplies
Available from numerous vendors including McMaster Carr
Clear UV Resistant Plastidip
Liquid Tape
Solvent to thin coatings
Syringe to inject into back of nodes
GE Silicone II Neutral Cure Clear Silicone Caulking
Hot Glue