How To Waterproof Rg-6 Connections, Cable - Switches & Dishes

[Grandpooba]

MAKING GOOD WATERPROOF RG-6 CONNECTIONS, CABLE - SWITCHES & DISHES: By Grandpooba

GOOD CABLE CONNECTIONS:
FIRST and FOREMOST! Be sure the POWER IS DISCONNECTED to the STB (receiver) before working on the cable or dish.
Most poor or no signal to STB (receiver) can be traced to poor cabling practices and installation mistakes. The biggest problem is, poor connections at the connectors the environment causes corrosion and breakdown. I use, and recommend sealing connectors, such as the EX-6 (XL) connector, for the RG-6 cable. It is a cable sealing connector, and you can install them with out special tools (I use 2 pairs of Channel lock pliers). I have found that “twist on connectors” (the connector that you screw on to the cable) that are commonly available, do not hold up to the environment and will eventually cause problems. If you are using this type of connection OUTSIDE the dwelling you should replace it with a sealing type connector.

MAKING IT WATERPROOF:
Use the sealing connectors (above). Keep the connections tight, I hand tighten as tight as I can get it with my hands and then use a 7/16 Inch wrench and give it ¼ turn more. At the Dish, Grounding Block and Entry into the dwelling if unprotected by a roof etc. I will make a rain loop in the cable to keep the rain from following the cable to the connectors or the inside of the dwelling. After the installation is complete and connections tight, I water proof the OUTSIDE connections by coating them with 100 % Silicone Rubber Sealant, that is available at any hardware store. I use the bathroom type in a color that is NOT black or clear, with contrasting colors you can tell how well the connection is coated, and is easier to see when it is time to break the connection. COAT THE OUTSIDE ONLY, do NOT put on the threads and assemble, as you will have to cut them off. NOTE: if damp or raining do not apply the silicone as it will seal the water in the connection, wait for a dry day, if you suspect any moisture open the connections let them dry out or use a hair dryer on them prior to silicone sealing. You should also use the Silicone to seal the cable entry into the dwelling.

PROTECTION of SWITCHES:
I also protect my diseqc or SW21 switches at the dish by using a plastic bottle (I use a quart motor oil bottle) cut off the neck, mount it on my dish pole bottle upside down with 4 punched holes in it for mounting with tie wraps to the pole. I then put the wired switch up into the bottle and secure the switch cables to the pole with tie wraps to hold the switch in place. I mount the bottle to the upper part of the sloped part of the dish support pole so its mounting holes are facing down and waterproof.

NEW INSTALLATIONS:
Cable: a good grade of RG-6 Cable should be used. You can purchase pre-made cables at Most Major retailers such as Home Depot, Wal-Mart, and Radio Shack. Or you can fabricate your own cables by purchasing the cables and connectors from a Electronic Parts Store, If you decide to make your own, get connectors that are sealing connectors, I recommend the EX-6 (XL) connector, as it is sealing and you can install them with out special tools (I use 2 pairs of Channel lock pliers). For each Dish run you will need 2 cables, One to run from your STB (Receiver) to the RG-6 grounding block, The RG-6Grounding block is a protection device that requires a separate #12 copper ground wire to a good earth ground, (wire clamped to a copper pipe, or a grounded Electrical Panel Etc.), should be located outside and nearest the cable entry into the dwelling. The RG-6 grounding block is available at satellite / electronic stores, on-line and on-line auction sites. You will need to run the RG-6 cable from the RG-6 Grounding Block to your dish. NOTE: the dish assembly should be grounded with a separate #12 copper ground wire (like the RG-6 ground block). Be sure to secure the Ground and RG-6 cable with cable staples, Tie wraps Etc. Be neat! At the dish end connect the RG-6 wire to the Switch or LNB, leaving a rain loop (a loop in the cable that is lower than the entry into the dish or switch that the rain water will follow instead of going into the Switch or LNB).

INSTALLING THE EX-6 (XL) CONNECTOR:
RG-6 Cable preparation, using my pocket knife, I cut 5/8 inch off of the outer plastic coat of the cable, exposing the aluminum wire braid and foil. I then cut the aluminum braid wire back to the outer plastic coat with a pair of wire cutters. I then come 1/8 of an inch up from the outer plastic coat and cut the center insulation with my pocketknife by going around the center conductor being careful not to nick or cut the center conductor. You should now have ½ inch of center conductor wire, 1/8-inch center conductor white insulation and cable covering with the aluminum braid/wires cut off. You now insert the cable into the non-hex end of the EX-6 (XL) connector, pushing it until looking into the hex end the center insulation of the cable is flush with the connector step down, inspect it carefully by looking down the center conductor into the EX-6 (XL) you should NOT see any aluminum wire/braid or foil. NOTE: in cold climates you may need to heat the outer coat of the wire to push it onto the connector. Setup 2 pair of medium sized channel lock pliers so that they can compress the EX-6 (XL) connector from its 1 and ¼ inch to its compressed size of 1 inch. Grab the opposite sides of the EX-6 (XL) with the preset channel lock pliers one in each hand and squeeze both pliers until the EX-6 (XL) is compresses to 1 inch. Cut off the center conductor 1/8 inch beyond the hex end of the EX-6 (XL) connector.

Grandpooba

[mwalt]

you can also buy coax sealant tape to ensure watertight connections and it can be removed and re-used!!!!

[stickman2004]

are great as well.those cheap plastic glad containers,as well as the trays from the chinease take out that your sesame chicken comes in.

[Fastnblack]

There`s also a product that electritions use,it helps to keep the copper from coroding .

[charbroil]

works the best and only costs $4.79 at homedepot or lowes.

[jfank2006]

electrical tape would work as well. that's cheap you have to use a good amount of it but most houses have that type of tape.

[ultradan]

I've used small rubber O-Ring inserted inside the F connector. This prevent humidity and condensation from penetrating inside the coaxial insulation. the 75 ohms impedance is stable