[TowerTalk] Re: [Array-user] I.C.E. Products waterproofing

[Gary Schafer]

Putting sealer between the connector and the block will increase the 
resistance and will not be as an effective ground for lightning. Even 
fractions of an ohm can have a large voltage drop in a lightning hit.
After all that's why you put them there in the first place, for 
lightning protection.  :>)

73
gary  K4FMX


Charles Johnson wrote:
> All,
> A further issue with these ICE coax suppressors is that the box itself is not waterproof. I have three of them and they are built using a one piece solid box (rectangular aluminun) with a top and bottom plate with four screws holding the assembly together. None of these parts are waterproofed and they DO leak if exposed to the elements.
> I solved the moisture issue by disassembling them and running a bead of silicon caulk around all mating surfaces. A bit messy, but it works.
> 
> As for the actual connectors, many layers of electrical tape have always worked for me on coax connectors, and several coats of a weatherproofing spray have worked pretty well on rotor cable conections.
> 
> 73, Charles, K4ZRJ
> 
>   
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: "Alan C. Zack" <k7acz at cox.net>
> Sent: Nov 18, 2004 11:44 AM
> To: Array-user at arraysolutions.com
> Cc: sales at arraysolutions.com, Tower Talk <TowerTalk at contesting.com>, 
> 	Southern Nevada ARES <sonares at yahoogroups.com>, 
> 	execboard at nellisrac.org, Antennas <antennas at mailman.qth.net>, 
> 	Las Vegas Radio Club <lvrac at yahoogroups.com>, 
> 	wx0b at arraysolutions.com
> Subject: [Array-user] I.C.E. Products waterproofing
> 
> I have just received my recent order of I.C.E. coax Suppressors 
> including the Model 349 Rotor control wire protector.
> I will be installing these at the base of my tower using the ICE 318-4 
> mounting fixture.  My tower is grounded using a linked three point 
> (120 degree) 10 ft ground rod UFER ground system.
> 
> Since the suppressors will be exposed to the elements I wonder if some 
> of you may share the methods you may use to waterproof the coax and 
> rotor cable screw connections.  My plan is to coat the connections 
> with a product called liquid tape then cover them with the commercial 
> grade of coax-seal.  Would anyone have experience on how this method 
> holds up to ultraviolet exposure that is part of living in the 
> cloudless skies of the Las Vegas valley?
> 
> TIA & 73
> __________________________________________________________________________ 
> 
> 
> Alan Zack
> Amateur Radio Station K7ACZ
> Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
> Quality Engineer, The Boeing Company, Retired
> Aviation Chief Warrant Officer, U.S. Coast Guard, Retired
> U.S. Coast Guard, Always Ready, Always There
> Every hour, Every day, Around the Clock and Around the World
> SEMPER PARATUS
> http://www.gocoastguard.com
> http://www.uscg.mil/d14/units/asbp/uscgasbp/
> DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Array-user mailing list
> Array-user at arraysolutions.com
> http://mail.arraysolutions.com/mailman/listinfo/array-user_arraysolutions.com
> 
> _______________________________________________
> 
> See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
> 
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
> 
>