DiyLightAnimation
Hardware => Lynx Smart String => Topic started by: gsxrgirl7 on July 31, 2012,
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Not sure if anyone's thought if this, I know I've read posts where people have had issues with water proofing the pigtails or keeping water out of them. My husband, user ID gsxrphreak came up with an idea that I haven't seen yet. Basically you do the same thing to them that you do to the smart string controllers. Just add another section of capped PVC to where the pigtail is and it seals the pigtail in. I will attach pics here shortly for example. I am using a section of smart string controller PVC in the pic so it's longer than it will need to be but hopefully you get the idea.
Julie
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Well it's not letting me add the pics right now, I will keep trying.
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Sounds cool
The pictures can't be large in size and file space
Rick R.
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Ah gotcha! I tried to do the smallest size it would let me, so I will work with them and see if I can convert them even smaller! Thanks for the heads up Rick!
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i use http://imageshack.us to upload my pictures and obtain a url. in the forum message i refer to the url in the body of the text with the photo button above.
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Cool!! Thanks Steve, I'll just do that tomorrow!!! :)
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I've setup the acct, and emailed the pics to my work email address so I can upload them from there and add them tomorrow! Thanks again Steve!
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I thought about that to. That should work.
You can also get water proof connections.
In my case I want to hide all the wires and connections I can. It's adds to the effect.
Like Disneyland. All the back stage stuff are hidden.
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Right, I hear ya!
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ok here's the link to my pics -
http://profile.imageshack.us/user/gsxrgirl7/
One pic has a long piece of pvc along with the pigtail - I just used another section that was cut for one of the SSC's, ideally you would want to use a much shorter piece of PVC for the pigtail, this was just for example.
Anyway - just a thought to help keep the pigtails dry.
Julie
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ok here's the link to my pics -
http://profile.imageshack.us/user/gsxrgirl7/
One pic has a long piece of pvc along with the pigtail - I just used another section that was cut for one of the SSC's, ideally you would want to use a much shorter piece of PVC for the pigtail, this was just for example.
Anyway - just a thought to help keep the pigtails dry.
Julie
maybe instead of two pipes, just use one and put everything inside of it?
thanks
sean
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That's another idea too, but all the pipes were already cut for the ssc's so that's why he just did a separate cut for the pigtail, and again we would be using a shorter piece of pipe for that one. But all one piece is a good idea.
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I had an idear just now.
I had thought of the pvc thing before but I'd have to remove the wires from my SSCs to do it, and some folks here frown on ideas that have you crimp your own cables instead of buying premade patch cables. since by my thinking I'd also want a cap on both sides, of course if I needed a longer cable I'd need to buy more caps or cut the end off to salvage the cap.
I had considered using silicone tape but that stuff doesn't want to come off so decided it wasn't a good idea for a quick disconnect. But it just came to me what about slitting carboard tubing like a toiletpaper roll down the middle and putting it around the connector then encasing that in silicone tape, then if you need to pull it apart you could just snip the little bit touching the cable and slide it.
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I just spray some Corrosion-X into the jack - ssems to work just fine!
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Also you could just use four conductor waterproof connectors. It would be same cost as two new PVC caps (.60 each at my local HomeDepot
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All good stuff from everyone. Thanks!
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Here some water proof connectors to.
http://www.molex.com/molex/products/family?key=splash_proof&channel=products&chanName=family&pageTitle=Introduction&parentKey=sealed_connectors#overview
http://www.pcsconnectors.com/weatherpack.aspx
http://www.molex.com/molex/products/datasheet.jsp?part=active/0310671010_CRIMP_HOUSINGS.xml
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could you just solder the cat 5 directly to the ssc pcb and avoid the connection all together? would only make sense if we have to solder the pigtail to the board to begin with? then you still have a short pvc pipe(easier to hide) and one rj45 connection at the pixlnet hub? avoids the water proofing issue with the rj45 connection at the ssc.
just a thought
duane
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could you just solder the cat 5 directly to the ssc pcb and avoid the connection all together? would only make sense if we have to solder the pigtail to the board to begin with? then you still have a short pvc pipe(easier to hide) and one rj45 connection at the pixlnet hub? avoids the water proofing issue with the rj45 connection at the ssc.
just a thought
duane
sure! you can avoid the pigtail and cut off the end of a cat5 cable to connect that end to the pcb. the only thing you lose is the flexibility in changing out the cable to repair or extend the reach from the hub to the ssc.
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that was how it was originally designed but was not very user friendly.
RJ
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I got some 1 inch heatshrink, which just fits over the pigtails, then I used a heatgun to shrink it tightly over the square connector and at the other end I shrank it a little less to allow the cat5 cable to enter.
That should keep the water out, but still allow me to plug and un-plug when I need to.
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That is the best yet. Thx!
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Looks very good!
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I have found that using Press and Seal works amazing. Easy to replace when needed and very low cost.
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OK... Ill ask. Whats press and seal and where do I get it? <pop..
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Its next to the cling wrap and zip lock baggies at your local grocery store. Kinda like cling wrap it sticks to itself.
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Oh that Press and Seal. Thx 8)
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I use it for wireless microphone connections in the rain and because of sweat from performers. It never leaks and is easy to use when changing batteries in the mics. I use it for all my power connection on my LE and lights. It keeps the moisture from the connectors and I do not have to lift them up and off the ground.
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Has anyone thought of using these on the end of the PVC pipes to create a better seal?
http://www.amazon.com/Amico-Plastic-Waterproof-Glands-Joints/dp/B005FIWYX8/ref=sr_1_2
Last year I user silicon glue to cover the hole I drilled in the end cap. If I had it to do over, I would consider using these.
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Ray has them for $32.62 for 100 after shipping.
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/PG9-Waterproof-Connector-Gland-Dia-4-8mm-Cable/701799_601828325.html
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now that i think of it, it sounds like a neat idea. use the glands to hold the 3 pin connector in place, and a better seal....
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I use these connectors on my smart string PVC pipes on both ends and use them on tupperware type plastic containers with my SSR's and splitters etc... They work great. I also put clear silicone around the holes I drill for them to make sure I get a good seal.
You can get the plastic containers with a o-ring type seal that make them water proof. Generally, you can pick these up for $3 at Big Lots.