Protecting 1/4 and xlr connectors on beach

[laddie.music2]

Just wondering if anyone has a solution for xlr and 1/4 connectors.
We do a bunch of concerts on the beach, as in, sand, high winds etc...

Packing down, it's hard to keep the xlr connectors safe, as well as any guitar leads etc etc...

Looking for cheap covers so we can 'cap them' at packdown time.

We were going to buy some cheap female 1/4 to 3.5mm adapter, but hoping there is a purpose built water tight solution for both 1/4 and xlr connectors.

thanks for your time

L

[bishopthomas]

Are you leaving the gear there for an extended period of time, or setting up and striking in the same day? I do quite a bit of beach work and found that the best thing is to just be careful not to get anything in the sand. Take a can of compressed air with you so that if anything gets dropped or sandy you can spray it out. When you get back home/to the shop you might want to go through all of your cables to ensure no sand got into the connectors (especially female XLR's).

Edit: I forgot, are you on a stage or actually in the sand? I would try to at least set up on some plywood or something if there is no stage.

[gareth.h.rees]

How about picking up a bunch of these?

Welcome to Chocbox

They may fit around the connector so you can just snap them on - although the gaps for the cable do look a little large, but I'm sure you can put some foam or whatever in to pack it out.

[John Willett]

Self amalgamating tape

Plastic bags sealed at the ends

Etc...

[Barnabas]

Get some extra XLR connectors and inline female 1/4" connectors and put them on the end of the cable when it is not connected to anything. You could even tie a string to the extra connector and tie it to the cable so there is always a "cap" available when you need to protect the connector on the end of a cable.

Fill the dummy connector with bathtub caulk to keep the sand and stuff from coming in the cable hole.

[DannyL]

Originally Posted by John Willett

Self amalgamating tape

Plastic bags sealed at the ends

Etc...

This is actually not a good idea. Condensation inside the plastic can compromise the signal, especially if you are running phantom or A/B powered mics.

You can use standard waterproofing procedure for all extension connections:

Use a stake or other vertical pole. On one side of the connection, before you mate the cables, use waterproof electrical tape to securely fasten a plastic sleeve (or plastic bag with a hole in the bottom) so that the tape starts on the sleeve and then overlaps until it reaches the cable. There should be enough sleeve to completely drape over the other connector, including the rubber boot or grommet. Secure this assembly to the aforementioned vertical piece so that the open end hangs straight down.

For all connector boxes, etc, use an inexpensive malleable plastic bin (Rubbermaid makes them) with slots cut for cable entrance. Place the
cover on the box. Cover this with a large heavy gauge garbage bag, but do not seal it too tightly.

This is how we cover our connections covering golf, beach volleyball, auto and horse racing, and every other outside event.

Danny

[laddie.music2]

Thanks heaps guys for the suggestions,

We gotsome furniture bottoms, like rubber caps, one fits the female ad one fits the male, really cool, works great,
yeah i think i'll do that for the 1/4 inchs, just get some female cheap connectors and whack em on