Geckos and Electronics

D

Dave Goldfinch

Guest
In our bedroom we have a split system Daiken inverter type air
conditioner.

On two occaisions now, we have had geckos get into the outside unit
and land up in the electronics, causing rhe controller board to fail.
These boards are complex and far beyond my ability to repair, so
replacement by Diaken is the only option - needless to say a very
expensive one !

Does anyone have any ideas how to keep the little buggers out ?
Physically barring them is difficult, as you can't restrict the air
circulation around and through the unit and they are able to get
through a very small gap. I would like to know if it would be possible
to put a chemical barrier around the unit- like a surface spray
insecticide. The guy who installed the unit suggested that moth-balls
might work but I have the feeling that their efffect might be very
short lived.

Any suggestions ?

Dave G
 
Dave Goldfinch wrote:
In our bedroom we have a split system Daiken inverter type air
conditioner.

On two occaisions now, we have had geckos get into the outside unit
and land up in the electronics, causing rhe controller board to fail.
These boards are complex and far beyond my ability to repair, so
replacement by Diaken is the only option - needless to say a very
expensive one !

Does anyone have any ideas how to keep the little buggers out ?
Physically barring them is difficult, as you can't restrict the air
circulation around and through the unit and they are able to get
through a very small gap. I would like to know if it would be possible
to put a chemical barrier around the unit- like a surface spray
insecticide. The guy who installed the unit suggested that moth-balls
might work but I have the feeling that their efffect might be very
short lived.

Any suggestions ?

Dave G


Investigate one of the critter buzzer things , they plug in and drive
Click to expand...
the little stuff away.. might work on them , or a simple bait would stop
em .
 
Mr.T wrote:
"atec77" <atec77REMOVE@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:gaicps$hf7$1@aioe.org...
Dave Goldfinch wrote:
In our bedroom we have a split system Daiken inverter type air
conditioner.

On two occaisions now, we have had geckos get into the outside unit
and land up in the electronics, causing rhe controller board to fail.
These boards are complex and far beyond my ability to repair, so
replacement by Diaken is the only option - needless to say a very
expensive one !

Does anyone have any ideas how to keep the little buggers out ?

Chicken wire should do the trick I would think.

Physically barring them is difficult, as you can't restrict the air
circulation around and through the unit and they are able to get
through a very small gap. I would like to know if it would be possible
to put a chemical barrier around the unit- like a surface spray
insecticide. The guy who installed the unit suggested that moth-balls
might work but I have the feeling that their efffect might be very
short lived.

Investigate one of the critter buzzer things , they plug in and drive
the little stuff away.. might work on them ,

I doubt they work on anything other than your wallet.
cite ?
I have seen wonderful footage of cockroaches actually swarming around those
ultrasonic insect repellers though :)
I have not
Click to expand...
I built my own with good success , many however don't have the skills .

MrT.
Click to expand...
 
Dave Goldfinch wrote:
In our bedroom we have a split system Daiken inverter type air
conditioner.

On two occaisions now, we have had geckos get into the outside unit
and land up in the electronics, causing rhe controller board to fail.
These boards are complex and far beyond my ability to repair, so
replacement by Diaken is the only option - needless to say a very
expensive one !

Does anyone have any ideas how to keep the little buggers out ?
Physically barring them is difficult, as you can't restrict the air
circulation around and through the unit and they are able to get
through a very small gap. I would like to know if it would be possible
to put a chemical barrier around the unit- like a surface spray
insecticide. The guy who installed the unit suggested that moth-balls
might work but I have the feeling that their efffect might be very
short lived.

Any suggestions ?

Dave G
Click to expand...
How about applying some sort of conformal coating to the board to give
it some insulation and protection?

Andy
 
"atec77" <atec77REMOVE@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:gaih6i$qe$1@aioe.org...
I have seen wonderful footage of cockroaches actually swarming around
those
ultrasonic insect repellers though :)

I have not
I built my own with good success , many however don't have the skills .
Click to expand...
Doesn't take much skill at all! The concept is hardly rocket science!
(And none at all if you buy the commercial versions)
What it takes is proof that they actually work. Looking forward to seeing
yours.

MrT.
 
On Sun, 14 Sep 2008 06:46:07 GMT, Dave Goldfinch
<daveg50_8@NotCoolMail.invalid> wrote:

In our bedroom we have a split system Daiken inverter type air
conditioner.

On two occaisions now, we have had geckos get into the outside unit
and land up in the electronics, causing rhe controller board to fail.
These boards are complex and far beyond my ability to repair, so
replacement by Diaken is the only option - needless to say a very
expensive one !

Does anyone have any ideas how to keep the little buggers out ?
Physically barring them is difficult, as you can't restrict the air
circulation around and through the unit and they are able to get
through a very small gap. I would like to know if it would be possible
to put a chemical barrier around the unit- like a surface spray
insecticide. The guy who installed the unit suggested that moth-balls
might work but I have the feeling that their efffect might be very
short lived.

Any suggestions ?

Dave G
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

I agree that physically barring the beasts would be best but it would
also be quite difficult - I am talking about very small geckos here -
chicken wire would be useless, it would have to be something
approaching fly-wire. I am worried about the effect this would have on
air-flow. As it is, I am amazed that the electronics survive out in
the blazing sun on a 40C day - I am in Perth, so we get quite extreme
heat.

I hadn't thought of moving the the controller into an isolated box, it
sounds like a good plan - the only problem I can see would be whether
Daikin would still service it, if required, and honour the warranty -
I still have 3 years left if something does fail naturally ie without
wildlife intervention !!.

Dave G
 
On 2008-09-14, Dave Goldfinch <daveg50_8@NotCoolMail.invalid> wrote:
In our bedroom we have a split system Daiken inverter type air
conditioner.

On two occaisions now, we have had geckos get into the outside unit
and land up in the electronics, causing rhe controller board to fail.
These boards are complex and far beyond my ability to repair, so
replacement by Diaken is the only option - needless to say a very
expensive one !

Does anyone have any ideas how to keep the little buggers out ?
Click to expand...
Tell daiken they have to pay for the repair.

It sounds to me like ther unit is either faulty or has been installed
wrong.

Bye.
Jasen
 
On Sep 14, 4:46 pm, Dave Goldfinch <daveg5...@NotCoolMail.invalid>
wrote:
In our bedroom we have a split system Daiken inverter type air
conditioner.

On two occaisions now, we have had geckos get into the outside unit
and land up in the electronics, causing rhe controller board to fail.
These boards are complex and far beyond my ability to repair, so
replacement by Diaken is the only option - needless to say a very
expensive one !

Does anyone have any ideas how to keep the little buggers out ?
Physically barring them is difficult, as you can't restrict the air
circulation around and through the unit and they are able to get
through a very small gap. I would like to know if it would be possible
to put a chemical barrier around the unit- like a surface spray
insecticide. The guy who installed the unit suggested that moth-balls
might work but I have the feeling that their efffect might be very
short lived.

Any suggestions ?

Dave G
Click to expand...
I don't think any insecticides will help, even if they did work, they
have to be renewed regularly, you only have
to forget once, and the geckos go back in.

Physically baring it is the best way, or else move the PCB to a
sealed external enclosure,
extending the connections to it if needed

You can buy sealed junction boxes/enclosures in quite large sizes (to
fit the PCB) if needed at Haymans, as well as
plenty of suitable sizes of waterproof glands / conduit to protect the
external wiring to it if needed.
 
kreed wrote:
On Sep 14, 4:46 pm, Dave Goldfinch <daveg5...@NotCoolMail.invalid
wrote:
In our bedroom we have a split system Daiken inverter type air
conditioner.

On two occaisions now, we have had geckos get into the outside unit
and land up in the electronics, causing rhe controller board to fail.
These boards are complex and far beyond my ability to repair, so
replacement by Diaken is the only option - needless to say a very
expensive one !

Does anyone have any ideas how to keep the little buggers out ?
Physically barring them is difficult, as you can't restrict the air
circulation around and through the unit and they are able to get
through a very small gap. I would like to know if it would be possible
to put a chemical barrier around the unit- like a surface spray
insecticide. The guy who installed the unit suggested that moth-balls
might work but I have the feeling that their efffect might be very
short lived.

Any suggestions ?

Dave G

I don't think any insecticides will help, even if they did work, they
have to be renewed regularly, you only have
to forget once, and the geckos go back in.

Physically baring it is the best way, or else move the PCB to a
sealed external enclosure,
extending the connections to it if needed

You can buy sealed junction boxes/enclosures in quite large sizes (to
fit the PCB) if needed at Haymans, as well as
plenty of suitable sizes of waterproof glands / conduit to protect the
external wiring to it if needed.


The isolation of the board is quite problematic in those units I have
Click to expand...
examined , apart from the cable cap there are numerous internal areas to
be sealed so apart from spraying the board and other parts with a
sealer and maybe using silastic to close up holes I cant see a
mechanical solution being particularly easy
 
Dave Goldfinch wrote:
On Sun, 14 Sep 2008 06:46:07 GMT, Dave Goldfinch
daveg50_8@NotCoolMail.invalid> wrote:

In our bedroom we have a split system Daiken inverter type air
conditioner.

On two occaisions now, we have had geckos get into the outside unit
and land up in the electronics, causing rhe controller board to fail.
These boards are complex and far beyond my ability to repair, so
replacement by Diaken is the only option - needless to say a very
expensive one !

Does anyone have any ideas how to keep the little buggers out ?
Physically barring them is difficult, as you can't restrict the air
circulation around and through the unit and they are able to get
through a very small gap. I would like to know if it would be possible
to put a chemical barrier around the unit- like a surface spray
insecticide. The guy who installed the unit suggested that moth-balls
might work but I have the feeling that their efffect might be very
short lived.

Any suggestions ?

Dave G



Thanks for the suggestions guys.

I agree that physically barring the beasts would be best but it would
also be quite difficult - I am talking about very small geckos here -
chicken wire would be useless, it would have to be something
approaching fly-wire. I am worried about the effect this would have on
air-flow. As it is, I am amazed that the electronics survive out in
the blazing sun on a 40C day - I am in Perth, so we get quite extreme
heat.

I hadn't thought of moving the the controller into an isolated box, it
sounds like a good plan - the only problem I can see would be whether
Daikin would still service it, if required, and honour the warranty -
I still have 3 years left if something does fail naturally ie without
wildlife intervention !!.

Dave G
If you alter it in anyway I doubt there will be any more warranty.
Click to expand...
 
Dave Goldfinch <daveg50_8@NotCoolMail.invalid> wrote:

In our bedroom we have a split system Daiken inverter type air
conditioner.

On two occaisions now, we have had geckos get into the outside unit
and land up in the electronics, causing rhe controller board to fail.
These boards are complex and far beyond my ability to repair, so
replacement by Diaken is the only option - needless to say a very
expensive one !

Does anyone have any ideas how to keep the little buggers out ?
Physically barring them is difficult, as you can't restrict the air
circulation around and through the unit and they are able to get
through a very small gap. I would like to know if it would be possible
to put a chemical barrier around the unit- like a surface spray
insecticide. The guy who installed the unit suggested that moth-balls
might work but I have the feeling that their efffect might be very
short lived.

Any suggestions ?
Wrap the board in Glad Wrap?
Click to expand...
 
On 15/09/2008 00:14 David Segall wrote:
Dave Goldfinch <daveg50_8@NotCoolMail.invalid> wrote:

In our bedroom we have a split system Daiken inverter type air
conditioner.

On two occaisions now, we have had geckos get into the outside unit
and land up in the electronics, causing rhe controller board to fail.
These boards are complex and far beyond my ability to repair, so
replacement by Diaken is the only option - needless to say a very
expensive one !

Does anyone have any ideas how to keep the little buggers out ?
Physically barring them is difficult, as you can't restrict the air
circulation around and through the unit and they are able to get
through a very small gap. I would like to know if it would be possible
to put a chemical barrier around the unit- like a surface spray
insecticide. The guy who installed the unit suggested that moth-balls
might work but I have the feeling that their efffect might be very
short lived.

Any suggestions ?
Wrap the board in Glad Wrap?
Click to expand...

Put some kind of gecko-proof barriers across their pathways to your
A/C unit?
 
"Dave Goldfinch" <daveg50_8@NotCoolMail.invalid> wrote in message
news:sgopc45cmi2ald0acf40okusa6se2852sr@4ax.com...
I agree that physically barring the beasts would be best but it would
also be quite difficult - I am talking about very small geckos here -
chicken wire would be useless, it would have to be something
approaching fly-wire.
Click to expand...
Wow, *very* tiny Gecko's.

I am worried about the effect this would have on
air-flow. As it is, I am amazed that the electronics survive out in
the blazing sun on a 40C day - I am in Perth, so we get quite extreme
heat.
Click to expand...
Fly wire should still allow sufficient air flow, unless it's already
insufficient. If so you may need to redirect some of the cold air flow, or
simply add a small fan.

MrT.
 
Dave Goldfinch wrote:
In our bedroom we have a split system Daiken inverter type air
conditioner.

On two occaisions now, we have had geckos get into the outside unit
and land up in the electronics, causing rhe controller board to fail.
These boards are complex and far beyond my ability to repair, so
replacement by Diaken is the only option - needless to say a very
expensive one !

Does anyone have any ideas how to keep the little buggers out ?
Physically barring them is difficult, as you can't restrict the air
circulation around and through the unit and they are able to get
through a very small gap. I would like to know if it would be possible
to put a chemical barrier around the unit- like a surface spray
insecticide. The guy who installed the unit suggested that moth-balls
might work but I have the feeling that their efffect might be very
short lived.

Any suggestions ?

Dave G
Click to expand...
An Eastern Brown snake should do the trick.
 
"swanny" <blahgswan3blah@blahbigpondblah.comblah.blahau> wrote in message
news:lKqzk.36536$IK1.14343@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
Dave Goldfinch wrote:
In our bedroom we have a split system Daiken inverter type air
conditioner.

On two occaisions now, we have had geckos get into the outside unit
and land up in the electronics, causing rhe controller board to fail.
These boards are complex and far beyond my ability to repair, so
replacement by Diaken is the only option - needless to say a very
expensive one !

Does anyone have any ideas how to keep the little buggers out ?
Physically barring them is difficult, as you can't restrict the air
circulation around and through the unit and they are able to get
through a very small gap. I would like to know if it would be possible
to put a chemical barrier around the unit- like a surface spray
insecticide. The guy who installed the unit suggested that moth-balls
might work but I have the feeling that their efffect might be very
short lived.

Any suggestions ?

Dave G



An Eastern Brown snake should do the trick.
Click to expand...

.........or a rubber owl on a stick?
 
Dave Goldfinch <daveg50_8@NotCoolMail.invalid> wrote:

On Sun, 14 Sep 2008 06:46:07 GMT, Dave Goldfinch
.. . .
Click to expand...

I agree that physically barring the beasts would be best but it would
also be quite difficult - I am talking about very small geckos here -
chicken wire would be useless, it would have to be something
approaching fly-wire. I am worried about the effect this would have on
air-flow.
Click to expand...
In order of fineness of mesh, you get chicken wire, mouse wire, snake
wire, and fly screen.


Andy Wood
woodag@trap.ozemail.com.au
 
Den wrote:
"swanny" <blahgswan3blah@blahbigpondblah.comblah.blahau> wrote in message

An Eastern Brown snake should do the trick.
........or a rubber owl on a stick?
Click to expand...
would you believe a can toad hologram?



--
Don McKenzie

Site Map: http://www.dontronics.com/sitemap
E-Mail Contact Page: http://www.dontronics.com/email

USB to 4 Relays. Many other modules available.
http://www.dontronics-shop.com/super4-usb-relay-module.html
 
Mr.T wrote:
"atec77" <atec77REMOVE@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:gaih6i$qe$1@aioe.org...
I have seen wonderful footage of cockroaches actually swarming around
those
ultrasonic insect repellers though :)
I have not
I built my own with good success , many however don't have the skills .

Doesn't take much skill at all! The concept is hardly rocket science!
(And none at all if you buy the commercial versions)
What it takes is proof that they actually work. Looking forward to seeing
yours.
Click to expand...
Then you'll be disappointed.
 
"Jeßus" <nonewhatsoever@all.org> wrote in message
news:gana2b$4ti$1@news.tornevall.net...
What it takes is proof that they actually work. Looking forward to
seeing
yours.

Then you'll be disappointed.
Click to expand...
Yeah, fortunately I wasn't serious.

MrT.
 
Andy has the best idea with the conformal coating, can't go wrong...




"Dave Goldfinch" <daveg50_8@NotCoolMail.invalid> wrote in message
news:qsbpc4t63j0lo2gq5521tqfbr4c2893f89@4ax.com...
In our bedroom we have a split system Daiken inverter type air
conditioner.

On two occaisions now, we have had geckos get into the outside unit
and land up in the electronics, causing rhe controller board to fail.
These boards are complex and far beyond my ability to repair, so
replacement by Diaken is the only option - needless to say a very
expensive one !

Does anyone have any ideas how to keep the little buggers out ?
Physically barring them is difficult, as you can't restrict the air
circulation around and through the unit and they are able to get
through a very small gap. I would like to know if it would be possible
to put a chemical barrier around the unit- like a surface spray
insecticide. The guy who installed the unit suggested that moth-balls
might work but I have the feeling that their efffect might be very
short lived.

Any suggestions ?

Dave G
Click to expand...
 
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