[Syberia]

I have a light post in my back yard that is run off of a GFCI outlet at the base of the pole. The line side of the outlet feeds a timer that is surface mounted in a "waterproof" Bell box (gray metal with foam gasket and in-use cover) and then on to a pair of CFL fixtures. We have had heavy rains the last couple days; the fixture was fine yesterday but today tripped the GFCI and immediately tripped it again when I went to reset it.

I narrowed the problem down to water getting into the timer box itself; despite their "waterproof" nature, those foam gaskets do a terrible job of sealing out rain. I took it apart, dried the water out, and everything is working as expected now. My question is how to prevent this from happening again - is just caulking around the half-assed gasket an acceptable solution?

 

[dmxtothemax]

Ditto !

 

[MrElectricianTV]

I have a light post in my back yard that is run off of a GFCI outlet at the base of the pole. The line side of the outlet feeds a timer that is surface mounted in a "waterproof" Bell box (gray metal with foam gasket and in-use cover) and then on to a pair of CFL fixtures. We have had heavy rains the last couple days; the fixture was fine yesterday but today tripped the GFCI and immediately tripped it again when I went to reset it.

I narrowed the problem down to water getting into the timer box itself; despite their "waterproof" nature, those foam gaskets do a terrible job of sealing out rain. I took it apart, dried the water out, and everything is working as expected now. My question is how to prevent this from happening again - is just caulking around the half-assed gasket an acceptable solution?

I use GE Siicone 2 Gutter and Flashing caulk.

 

[sgip2000]

Also, make sure there are no "drywall ears" on the timer. Those prevent a good seal on the rubber gasket.

 

[Oso954]

Have you caulked around both sides and top of the box where it meets the pole ? What about caulking over the screw in plugs, particularly on the top of the box.

 

[Canbug]

The first thing I do when installing a so called weatherproof box is to drill a 3/16th hole in the bottom. This will prevent the build up of condensation and if you do get water in, it gives it a way out.
PS, Weather proof is not water proof.

Tim.

 

[Syberia]

Caulked the hell out of everything I could see earlier today; the drain hole sounds like a good idea so I'll drill one later