Key Takeaways

  • The Govee power supply and control box are rated weatherproof, but only to a point. Snow, ice, and water from a gutter will still kill them.
  • Best option: inside the garage. Drill a small hole and run the wire out. Protected, hidden, safe.
  • Second option: outside outlet near a downspout. Hide the wire behind the downspout with a zip tie. Almost invisible.
  • Last resort: a $25 weatherproof box from Home Depot. Works, but not the cleanest look.
  • Worst option: hanging on the front porch. Ugly and exposed. We've seen multiple burn out from snow accumulation.

Where you put your Govee power supply matters more than people think. The box says "weatherproof," but weatherproof has limits.

In Columbus, we get snow, ice, freezing rain, and the occasional 70-degree day in February. Power supplies sitting outside with no protection burn out, catch fire, or get water damage. We've seen all three.

Here's how to set yours up so it lasts the life of the system.

What "Weatherproof" Actually Means

Govee's power supply and control box are rated to handle some moisture. Light rain, humidity, normal outdoor exposure. That's it.

What they can't handle:

I've seen Govee power supplies burned out or even caught on fire because they sat outside in Columbus winter with snow on them, or right under a gutter with water dripping down. That's not weatherproofing failing. That's the wrong location. (When the power supply dies, the whole system goes down. See Why Your Govee Lights Stop Working for the full failure chain.)

Best Option: Inside the Garage

If your house has a garage that's part of the structure, that's where the power supply and control box should go.

Why it works:

How to do it:

  1. Find the outlet inside the garage closest to where you want your first light.
  2. Plug in the power supply and the control box.
  3. Drill a small hole through the wall to the outside (usually a 3/8-inch hole works).
  4. Run the extension wire through the hole.
  5. Connect the outside end of the extension to your first light.

99% of Columbus homes have a garage that's part of the main structure. Most homeowners want the garage roofline lit anyway, so it's a natural starting point.

If You Don't Want to Drill

Look for an outside outlet that's close to a downspout. Plug the power supply into that outlet, hide the extension wire behind the downspout with a zip tie. From the street, you won't see it.

This works well on homes that don't have an attached garage or where the garage is too far from where you want the lights. If you need to run lights in two directions from this single power supply, you'll also want a Y-splitter.

It's not as protected as the garage, but the downspout shields the power supply from direct snow and water pretty well. We've installed this way on dozens of homes in Columbus with no failures.

Last Resort: Weatherproof Junction Box

If you have no good outside outlet near a downspout, and you don't want to drill, the last option is a small weatherproof junction box from Home Depot. Costs about $25.

How it works: you mount the box on the wall near your outlet, plug the power supply and control box inside the junction box, and the whole assembly stays protected.

It's not the cleanest look. There's a small box visible on your wall, but it beats having the power supply hanging in the open.

Worst Option: Hanging on the Front Porch

This is what most people end up doing because it's the path of least resistance, and it's the worst option.

Front porch outlet, plug in the power supply and control box, let them dangle. The lights will work, but two problems:

  1. It's ugly. Every time you walk in or out of your front door, you see the power supply hanging next to it. The lights look great on the roof, but the install looks unfinished where the power lives.
  2. It's exposed. Even with a porch overhead, wind-driven rain, snow, and ice still hit the box. We've seen more than a few damaged or burned out this way.

If your only option is the front porch outlet, at least put it inside a junction box. Don't just let it hang.

Ask Your Installer Before Install Day

If you're hiring someone to install Govee, ask them before install day where they're putting the power supply and control box. A good installer should walk the house with you, look at your outlet options, and explain why they're picking the location.

If they don't have a clear answer, or they say "we'll figure it out on install day," that's a warning. The location matters enough to plan in advance.