kcomm 0 Posted May 4, 2009 I have been installing the Honeywell hd73 and hd4d outdoor cameras, I have had a problem with moisture collecting on the dome, I am wondering if anyone has installed these before and what is common practice as far as using silicone around the dome housing which I have done but my Honeywell rep says it not necessary. It hasn't even rained here and I have moisture issues twice now with a hd4d, the only thing I can come up with is that I put a little silicone inside the dome where the wires poke through the back housing and I am wondering if the moisture from the silicone is collecting on the lense while it is drying, though it should be dry by now, I have had it apart twice now. I am really at a loss... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sawbones 0 Posted May 4, 2009 I have a couple of hd4d domes, and I haven't had that problem. I didn't even seal around the wiring hole in that big rubber grommet on the back. I've had one up for 3-4 months and it's worked without any problem. What kind of environment are you dealing with? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kcomm 0 Posted May 4, 2009 The environment is outdoor, mounted to a wall and has appx. a 3ft overhang in both directions, I am wondering if I am not being to careful as far as completely sealing the cams, maybe I should just mount them with nothing like you are doing. Do you use all four supplied screws, and if I remember the screws for these cams dont even come with rubber washers do they? It sure seems like water would sure find it's way inside though! Thanks kcomm Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sawbones 0 Posted May 4, 2009 Here's how I did mine: The domes I'm talking about have the camera assembly dome itself, a mounting plate, and a rubber gasket that goes inbetween them. The rubber layer covers the entire base of the dome, with a couple of thinner spots where you can poke screws through, as well as a scored area about as big around as a nickel that you can cut with an X-acto knife for the power and video-out leads. You attach the mounting plate to whatever surface you're dealing with (mine included anchors and screws), and then the dome itself is attached to that mounting plate with four machine screws (they go through that rubber gasket, resulting in a fairly tight seal). I made a pretty small hole in the scored area for the wires, and really stretched the rubber over each individual lead to fit them through the hole. Silicone caulk makes such a mess that I try to avoid using it whenever I can. *************** Edit **************** Look at the picture below. The rubber gasket goes over the entire base of that dome, and the mounting plate is slightly larger across than the 5.5-inch base. The gasket goes between that slightly-larger plate, and the base of the dome pictured below. I apologize that I couldn't find an actual picture of what I'm talking about. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squelch 0 Posted May 4, 2009 You can try placing a silicon dessicant bag inside the dome to help absorb any moisture. We had the same issue with a KT&C weatherproof dome, we tried everything; silicon gel, dessicant bags and nothing worked. We ended up swapping the dome with another dome and that solved the problem. I guess we had a bad dome that wasn't completely airtight. Good Luck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Soundy 1 Posted May 4, 2009 If the wires are going straight through into a warm, moist indoor airspace, that moisture will condense when it hits the inside of the cold dome. Granted, in my experience, it has to be pretty cold outside and REALLY moist inside for it to become a problem, but that's 99% likely where your problem is coming from. Sealing really well where the wires come into the dome should do the trick... to be extra-sure, seal where they enter the wall on the inside of the building as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kcomm 0 Posted May 5, 2009 I want to thank everyone for their help. I noticed when I went their again yesterday that the moisture seemed to be collecting between the plastic shield and the glass, so I removed the shield and now their is no moisture and it's been almost a day, where before it only took about 3hrs and moisture was already present. I am not sure if it's fixed yet or not but sometimes all you can do is omit as many variables as possible to try to figure something out! Thanks Again, Kcomm Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
