Mark h2o Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 The snow finally melted enough to get the lights and cords picked up this week. Upon disconnecting the comm cable I saw a potential issue here. I have a section of cable running under the driveway into a valve box on each side. I thought I sprayed enough moisture displacer to keep this from happening, guess not!I was having issues with the lights this year and thought if the middle two pins are what LOR uses that this might be the reason. Attached files Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-klb- Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 Yup. The differential data signal is on the middle pair, and uses ground on pin 6 as well. Pin 3 is the accessory power, but not important for most systems.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max-Paul Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 Hi Mark,You have just discovered why most people in the know, do not use splices. And only in an emergency for a short time. I recommend that you always use a single piece of cord be it comm or power from point to point. The more connectors, the more failure points you will have. I didn't notice from were you are, but the statement that you just got a chance to get your gear inside leaves me to believe you are up north. So, going outside to make repairs like our brothers and sisters down south is not a pleasent idea during the winter. So, minimize your failure points and less likely you will have a failure.But if you have to do this again in future. Leave the WD-40 or simular products on the shelf. Go to either HD, Lowes or local electrical supply house and ask for a product like No-Ox grease. This grease does not conduct and is used in connections between Al and copper wires or terminals. Squeeze some in the female and then push the male in. You want some to ooze back out. It displaces the air and thus no moisture can get in. Products like WD-40 coat but do not displace. Also WD-40 is known to varnish over time and this could lead to a thin insolator leading to a bad connection. True the No-Ox has to be pressed out of the way for a good connection also. But I have rarely seen any problems of this sort. Converted 15 18" spiral trees to LED. Each socket got a squirt of No-Ox and not one light failed to light. Well other than the couple I put in backwards.Max Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark h2o Posted March 25, 2009 Author Share Posted March 25, 2009 You're right, I'm up in N. idaho, but the potato's we get are from Washington. Go figure:)I will have to do this same setup again, cords on any driveway or side walk tend to get eaten by snowblowers or my neighbors quad with a plow, It's the thought that counts, right?I'll buy some No-Ox this time and save myself from a headache and my wife from my complaining about the lights not working right.Your idea is a lot better than a DB splice and I appreciate a thorough explanation on everything.Thanks for the help Max & KLB!Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max-Paul Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Hi Mark,Ah, so you are leaving it on the surface. Dont know why but was thinking you had a setup like I do. Back a few years ago, I decided that our half driveway needed to be replaced. I live in the country and many just have gravel. Where as I had when I bought the house, the first (closes to house) 20' of concrete. But it was a mess. Well when replacing it, about 10' out I had a drain grate installed across the driveway. I can easly install a cat5 and power cable in that drain across the driveway and wont have to worry about anything ripping into it.Anyway, good luck with the 09/10 season.Max Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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