Best "in use" or weather proof cover

[yeldogt]

Why is everything today junk?

I'm fixing/ repairing all my outdoor wiring -- outlets/switches. Much of it under plastic or metal covers. I went to both HD and Lowes and neither sell Carlon covers in my area. Currently I have mostly Carlon and some Intermatic -- some of it's 25 years old ...much of it 15. I also have metal Midwest boxes that look like they will be around with the roaches after the world ends ...

The old gray Carlon boxes actual have a rubber gasket on the lid ! -- the new Hubbell ones I did last week leak if hit by a hose or sprinkler?

After 25 years most of the clear Carlon have heavy yellowing and all the Intermatic are damaged in some way. Looks like I will have to go to a supply house or order them up online.

I don't see that Carlon makes the same as the really old ones with the gasket -- but they make the style of 15 years ago in both clear and gray that I have. I need about 25. Honestly -- It would be better to paint the cloudy ones vs what's available today. I do need some clear for the switch covers?

any ideas?

 

[LXCam]

Maybe raco still makes a cover of ok quality and if not bite the bullet and go Hubble or dare to empty the bank account and see what Appleton has.

Good luck and I understand the frustration.

 

[yeldogt]

Maybe raco still makes a cover of ok quality and if not bite the bullet and go Hubble or dare to empty the bank account and see what Appleton has.

Good luck and I understand the frustration.

I bought the Hubbell because of past experience -- don't like. I installed three and the rest are going back. Don't know Appleton -- will take a look

 

[Bert_]

I tend to use the metal ones more often, the plastic ones always seem to end up broken. Taymac makes one and I think Red Dot has a similar one. I don't like the Intermatic version since it is held on with a plastic ring.

Plastic covers are definitely cheaper though.

 

[LXCam]

I bought the Hubbell because of past experience -- don't like. I installed three and the rest are going back. Don't know Appleton -- will take a look

No kidding. I haven't bought any in a years so it figures, but I didn't know. If all your boxes are flanged and tapped for four corner mounting take a look at the industrial line of covers. They ain't pretty but they work.

 

[alfredeneuman]

I would suggest this metal one....but it's relatively expensive
https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-Gang-...-SearchPLPHorizontal1_rr-_-NA-_-202589082-_-N
It's almost bulletproof

It's still less expensive than the numerous plastic ones you'll need to replace.

 

[yeldogt]

I would suggest this metal one....but it's relatively expensive
https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-Gang-...-SearchPLPHorizontal1_rr-_-NA-_-202589082-_-N
It's almost bulletproof

It's still less expensive than the numerous plastic ones you'll need to replace.

Did see those -- they have an intermediate feature when a cord is installed.

 

[yeldogt]

Wondering if Carlon was sold -- I'm not seeing the covers available? Shame -- they are good quality and fit the boxes well ... not too oversized.

Can get single metal large in-use Greenfield that look heavy duty with good reviews for under $15 -- they don't have doubles that I can find?

Looking closer .... all the Intermatic covers have cracked in some way -- They are like the new Hubbell in that they can be converted to horizontal -- cheaper plastic.

 

[alfredeneuman]

Greenfield is another name for metal flex conduit.
All the ones for <$15 are plastic, and would not have good reviews.

 

[Norcal]

Plastic is for people who like to replace stuff over & over rather then buying a diecast model & be done with it.

"Buy well, buy once".

 

[terabitdan]

I like these ones, no idea how they will hold up over time though.

Arlington DBVS1W-1 Low Profile IN BOX Recessed Outlet Box Wall Plate Kit for New Vinyl Siding Construction, Vertical, 1-Gang, White

They have a whole series for various minting styles.


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[Bert_]

I like these ones, no idea how they will hold up over time though.

Arlington DBVS1W-1 Low Profile IN BOX Recessed Outlet Box Wall Plate Kit for New Vinyl Siding Construction, Vertical, 1-Gang, White

They have a whole series for various minting styles.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Those are nice, doesn't stick out from the wall. The cover could be improved.

They are intended for new construction though.

 

[yeldogt]

Those are nice, doesn't stick out from the wall. The cover could be improved.

They are intended for new construction though.

I can't use those .. saw them on one of Matt R's videos .... surprising they do have a cheap cover .... was not impressed. I was going to use them on my new build ..... MR also like all the penetration gaskets --- another thing that was "just OK"

 

[terabitdan]

Those are nice, doesn't stick out from the wall. The cover could be improved.



They are intended for new construction though.

They are available in both retrofit and new construction, clear and covered styles. There are also metal box versions, but the cover is always plastic.

Here’s a link to the manufacturers website:
http://www.aifittings.com/landing/weatherproof/



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[sberry]

Is this residential or shop in nature? I simply build covers around them, some as simple as fashioned out of an anti freeze jug, some sheet metal, have even put a ledger board over them with plastic flashing.
You can make it as nice as you want but they also protect all the hardware when NOT in use.

 

[alfredeneuman]

I simply build covers around them, some as simple as fashioned out of an anti freeze jug, some sheet metal, have even put a ledger board over them with plastic flashing.

Are they UL listed as all electrical components should be?

 

[Skiff Builder]

I will get the manufacturer name of the all metal box in pic below. Solid as heck, came with a duplex gfi outlet from H.D. Stafford Rt 72. $16.95. Plenty of wiring space. My inspector busted chops said it was overkill.

 

[rlitman]

I would suggest this metal one....but it's relatively expensive
https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-Gang-...-SearchPLPHorizontal1_rr-_-NA-_-202589082-_-N
It's almost bulletproof

It's still less expensive than the numerous plastic ones you'll need to replace.

I just installed one of those. I really like it. It's not so expensive when you figure in the cost of the components.

Definitely all metal is the way to go.

 

[sberry]

Are they UL listed as all electrical components should be?

No, they are a simple cover to keep rain off, no law against that unless its preferable to let it get wet. They have a listed outdoor cover.

 

[alfredeneuman]

A listed outdoor in-use cover?

 

[CJ7VFR]

A listed outdoor in-use cover?

This one from Home Depot is UL listed. It is also NEMA 3R compliant. I have several of these on my outside receptacles.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/TAYMAC-1-Gang-Horizontal-Vertical-Mount-Weatherproof-Expandable-Low-Profile-Extra-Duty-In-Use-Cover-ML500G/205689220

They can be installed in either a horizontal or vertical position since the cover can pivot either way, keeping them in use compliant.

They are kind of funky, as they sit almost flush when not in use, and then they can either be opened up like a normal flat cover, or they can be opened up and then they expand out to fit a cord that is plugged into the receptacle. Then the cover can be closed and the cord sticks out the bottom to meet the NEC code for in use outdoor covers.

Jim

 

[alfredeneuman]

I guess that a no, sberry.

The listed outdoor cover, if not an in use, is listed for switches, not receptacles

 

[sberry]

If it's covered its indoors.

 

[TheLurker]

I will get the manufacturer name of the all metal box in pic below. Solid as heck, came with a duplex gfi outlet from H.D. Stafford Rt 72. $16.95. Plenty of wiring space. My inspector busted chops said it was overkill.

Looks similar to the GE outlet/cover I just bought from HD. All metal, coating seems like it'll last and not rust.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-20-A...-SearchPLPHorizontal1_rr-_-NA-_-100534107-_-N

 

[Skiff Builder]

Looks similar to the GE outlet/cover I just bought from HD. All metal, coating seems like it'll last and not rust.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-20-A...-SearchPLPHorizontal1_rr-_-NA-_-100534107-_-N

Lurker you got it, that's the one. Mine is recept only, no switch. I guess I got it off the clearance rack at the price I paid. If I needed another, I would pay full retail for it.

 

[alfredeneuman]

If it's covered its indoors.

Then why did you use a "listed outdoor cover" instead of an indoor cover.

Your logic escapes me

 

[yeldogt]

Picked up ten (10) replacement gaskets ... my solution was to spray paint the cloudy Carlon covers and use them in the little or never used locations. Have some new replacements from a few years ago for the ones we use all the time.

Ordered a Greenfield double metal -- see how that looks.

Will return all the others. It's a shame -- Carlon boxes have a good design -- Better looking/ held up ... also came with a very thick gasket ...making it easy to install.

 

[sberry]

Then why did you use a "listed outdoor cover" instead of an indoor cover.

Your logic escapes me

Why be such an ***?

 

[sberry]

That was probably rude of me but I should have saved pictures of all the listed junk installed by masters over the years. I just used one, rarely used and somehow managed to fall apart. Saw one the other day where the brain sturgeon just had to install it under the eve instead of move it to the gable where it would have been out of the drip and ice, 2 ft and would have been easier.
I got to wonder if he looked up and said,,, gee, this looks good, every drop of water comes off this building can land right on it. I went to do a welding job a while back, master who has taken every class they got, takes a weather cover off and runs a vac cord along side a gfci, no idea where it went in from there but goes to a 500 watt quarts fixture around and on the end of the house. The easy way would have been put a power strip on and plug it in but went out of the way to booger it up.
All the complaints about these covers we read in this thread are about listed products, I am a believer but some of thios is just plain junk, listing or not. The idea is to keep the weather off, I would just as soon keep it off while not in use too. They should add some further instructions to this hardware, caulk the gaskets in place around the top as it will leak if given any chance. Caution,,,, may break at any time, in use or not.

 

[Norcal]

Just because something is listed does not make it a great product, Zinsco was listed for example. One still needs to find the right product.

 

[nh_yota]

Mine are made out of ziploc bags and duct tape.

 

[alfredeneuman]

My not understanding your logic comes from your willingness to go such an extensive degree of Mickey Mouse all to save $15 or less.
Plenty of covered porches are protected from rain, but they're considered outdoors and as such they'e required to have in use covers.
You can call me an *** until all hell freezes over, but it still doesn't change the fact that what you did was the wrong thing to do.... and you deem it proud enough of it to post it.

 

[sberry]

I agree if you are on the job the only thing helps is good placement and good design and the simplist thing is to toss another 15$ at it. I have been at this a while too. I may use an outdoor cover simply to keep bugs out in those spots but there is no law says a guy cant protect it from weather and if it happens to rain while its plugged in and doesn't get wet all the better. It lasts a long time, still works and aint full of water. This is for homeowners trying to protect equipment, I never had anything work better than that over 4 decades and dozens of installations. They make stuff for it but lots of it ends up broke and that's not code compliant either.

 

[like2wheel]

My not understanding your logic comes from your willingness to go such an extensive degree of Mickey Mouse all to save $15 or less.
Plenty of covered porches are protected from rain, but they're considered outdoors and as such they'e required to have in use covers.
You can call me an *** until all hell freezes over, but it still doesn't change the fact that what you did was the wrong thing to do.... and you deem it proud enough of it to post it.

Might be time to change your screen name. Seems like you might worry a lot

 

[alfredeneuman]

Even Neuman worries when the situation is warranted.

I was an electrician full time since 1970, most of that time doing commercial service and repairs. I retired in 2016.
In that time I fixed a lot of burnt up **** and work done by hacks.

I suppose I'm qualified to know when to worry.