Had a similar issue with my outdoor keypad last winter. Thought silica packets were a clever hack until I opened it up and saw rust spots forming—definitely regretted that move. Wondering now if just drilling a small drainage hole might've been simpler from the start? Maybe even positioning it differently to avoid direct rain exposure could help... Has anyone tried something like that instead of messing around with insulation or silica packets?
"Wondering now if just drilling a small drainage hole might've been simpler from the start?"
Honestly, that's exactly what I ended up doing with mine. Had the keypad installed on a side door that catches rain runoff, and after one winter of dealing with moisture issues, I drilled a tiny hole at the bottom corner. Haven't had rust or moisture buildup since. Positioning helps too, but sometimes you can't avoid exposure completely... so a little drainage goes a long way.
I get the logic behind drilling a drainage hole, and it's definitely a practical fix. But personally, I'd be cautious about intentionally creating an opening in something that's supposed to be weatherproof. I've seen cases where even tiny holes let insects or dust in over time, causing other issues down the road. Might be worth trying some silicone sealant around the keypad edges first—could solve moisture problems without compromising the housing... just my two cents.
Good point about being cautious with drilling holes—seen plenty of cases where a quick fix ended up causing more headaches later on. Silicone sealant is usually my go-to as well, especially if you're trying to keep things weather-tight. Another thing I've noticed is that sometimes moisture issues come from how the keypad's positioned or installed. Might be worth double-checking if it's angled right or if there's a better spot for it. Either way, sounds like you're thinking it through pretty carefully... always good to see folks taking their time with stuff like this.
Silicone's handy for sure, but honestly I've had mixed luck with it long-term. A couple times I've seen it peel or crack after a few years, especially if it's exposed to a lot of sun or temperature swings. Ended up swapping it out for butyl tape—bit messier to work with, but man, that stuff sticks forever. Just don't ask me how I learned that lesson... let's say trial and error (mostly error).
