Temp controller safe for outside

[Knucklesbrew]

Just ordered my freezer and am now looking at temp controllers. Can you keep the temp controller inside the freezer? If not, does anyone have any recommendations on one that can withstand minor contact with the elements? The freezer will be under a two foot eave so the controller won't get direct contact with water (in southern California where it hasn't rained for awhile anyways). I can build a box to house the controller and keep it off the ground, I just haven't been able to find one or read reviews on any that actually say it is safe for outdoors. I am not electrically inclined so I want to shy away from any controller in which I need to do some re-wiring myself. Thanks for any help.

 

[outside92129]

Hi Knuckles! You're just down the street, and i'm in Vista a couple of times a week!

Some are sorta sealed like the ranco's, but they're not rated waterproof:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015NV5BE/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

The STC-1000 is a component with exposed bits so it is much less so. However you can seal it inside an electrical box. All these controllers have a way to plug-in/connect the electrical so unless you so something they're not waterproof.

i'm going with the electrical box route with some silicone caulking.

 

[Chrisl77]

You could get one of these boxes and one of these waterproof covers. Cut a hole in the side of the box to mount the cover and then open up the inside of the cover a little bit with a dremel to accept an stc-1000.
The opening needed for the stc-1000 is just a little bit bigger then the opening for a gfci outlet. For the outlet connections I would just get short outdoor extension cords, cut the male ends off and make holes just big enough to squeeze the cords through on the back side.

 

[Knucklesbrew]

That box is a great idea. We already have one of those covers over the outlet and it is located under the eave so I'm fairly confident that it won't be exposed to direct water contact. I was just worried about the body of the temp controller but I think that box would take care of that.

 

[Chrisl77]

The cover wouldn't be for the outlet. I was suggesting it to cover the face of the controller I am not sure if the face of the stc-1000 is water tight.

 

[Knucklesbrew]

Ahhh....I ended up ordering a Johnson temp controller from NB. I think the box will suffice to keep the box off the concrete in case of water drainage from rain.