Stink bug-proofing a Classic installation?

[RegGuheert]

Perhaps the thing that concerns me most about this installation is the threat of early demise due to infiltration by stink bugs.  For those who may be unfamiliar with these critters, we in the Mid-Atlantic are currently being infested by these bugs which insist on wedging themselves into EVERY nook and cranny in order to stay warm in the wintertime.  Even though these bugs are not tiny, they get into places you cannot imagine!  The owner of this installation recently lost phone service at their home.  The cause? Stink bugs had FILLED their telephone interface box and caused it to malfunction, assumedly by shorting out the circuits.

Their Classic is installed to the right of an XW Power Distribution Panel.  The power wires thus exit the Classic to the left into that panel.  That panel is currently open a the bottom where the two power leads go to the batteries.  The Ethernet and MNGP cables exit to the right of the Classic through a 1/2" rigid conduit and I currently have the temperature sensor simply going straight out one of the holes in the bottom.  I suppose I can find an appropriate fitting to strain-relieve the temperature sensor and seal that opening.  The rigid conduit containing the Ethernet and MNGP cables is about 8 feet long to the box, so it *might* be OK.  What worries me is trying to seal up either the hole in the XW Power Distribution Panel which contains the battery wires or the hole in the left side of the Classic which contains its power leads.  Is there some NEC-approved means of sealing these things?  Perhaps there is some sort of connector for the battery leads that can hold TWO large wires in a single device (like a duplex Romex connector does), but still seal well enough to keep out the stink bugs?  Unfortunately, I do not know of such a thing.

Any ideas on best practices for sealing these things up from critters would be greatly appreciated!  TIA!

[Halfcrazy]

I would say all battery cables need to be in conduit to meet code. Then I would use Duct "SP?" Seal to fill the ends of the conduits this also keeps battery gasses from running up through the conduit. Just go into your local electrical supply house and ask for a block of Monkey Dung  they will know what you mean. It comes in a block roughly 1 by 2.5 by 5 inches and you kneed it to soften it and plug up the pipe. It stays fairly pliable so you can always dig it out easy if you need to in the future.

[RegGuheert]

Thanks, Ryan!  I've seen that stuff, and I have wondered what it was used for!  That should do the trick!  I'll pick some up next time I'm in town.

[niel]

reg,
unfortunately, they like my place too. sealing things up helps. you will be happy to know there are chemicals that have been successful against these little sobs. the bad news is it is extremely concentrated and dangerous to work with. that chemical is demand cs. do not confuse it with cyonara as the demand cs has a microencapsulation that makes it long lasting and doesn't wash away very quickly due to weather. typically it is advised to use it every 3 months and not just to the entrance to your solar stuff as it is recommended to do the entire outside of the home. it is not recommended for interior use and is safe for pets outside after it has thoroughly dried. any product that has the same main ingredient will be good to use against them in the absence of either the demand cs or a good exterminator. (Lambda-cyhalothrin) some bee sprays have a very weak amount of this in it and may work temporarily. some other pyrethrins have also been used successfully, but should have something like microencapsulation to extend its effect lifespan.

[RegGuheert]

Thanks, Niel!

We've kinda come to terms with having these things around, since there seems to be no alternatives.

OTOH, I have not come to terms with having too many toxic chemicals around (if I have a choice).

Unfortunately, I see the Classic as a pretty attractive homestead to a stink bug.  As such, I'll have to do the best I can with sealing up the holes.

Note to MidNite:  You may want to consider addressing this in your manual.  It may sound like a trivial issue if you have never been around these things, but I wouldn't want you to have a bunch of field failures due to these things.  I'm pretty you will see problems with some of the installations in these parts.