[TowerTalk] pull lubricant

[Eugene Jensen]

First of all, you have already violated the cardinal rule of 90 degree
sweeps.  So do yourself a big favor, and dig up one of them and cut the pipe
there.  And only pull thru two, or you will have to put a horrible amount of
strain on those coaxial cables regardless of how much lube you throw on
them. I am an electrician by trade, and you are not pulling electrical wire
with a donkey and pulleys.  As for making a connection in the ground, if you
waterproof it correctly, I would guess I would go along with it, but I would
not personally do it.  But that is just a matter of me personally.  You
might be better off putting a pull box in the center where it makes the 90
sweep.  You can purchase one down at your lawn center and they are used for
sprinkler boxes.  I wish you the best of good luck with your project. 73's
Gene K2QWD Happilly Retired! 

-----Original Message-----
From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Dick Green WC1M
Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2011 7:48 PM
To: Tower
Subject: [TowerTalk] pull lubricant

Tomorrow I'll be doing a project I've been putting off for about 14 years:
replacing two runs of LMR400UF in a 4-inch 265-foot conduit between the
house and one of my tower locations. 

 

I'll be pulling two runs of 1/2" heliax: one run will be Andrew LDF4-50 foam
dielectric heliax, and the other will be Andrew HL4RP-50A air dielectric
heliax. I have enough of the foam dielectric for a continuous run, but I'm
about 15' short on the air dielectric. The plan is that when we get close to
the end of the pull, put a connector on the end of the air dielectric heliax
and attach a 15' link of Buryflex to make up the difference. I don't think
there's ever been any water in the conduit, but the joint will be well
waterproofed just in case.

 

The question is whether I'll need to use pull-lube for this job. The
conduit-to-cable diameter ratio is a healthy 4:1, and there will be no other
cables in the conduit. I had no problems pulling the two runs of LMR400UF
through it. But there are three 90-degree sweeps in the conduit: one at each
end and one in the middle, and I plan to pull both runs together. Would the
experts out there recommend using pull lube?

 

(Another question: I have some concern about pulling the air dielectric
through the conduit. I've already seen how intolerant it is of any kinking
(long story, but that's why I only have 250'.) Can air dielectric heliax
make it through three 90-degree sweeps without damage? I have enough
RG-331/U to do the job if the consensus is that I shouldn't try to pull the
air dielectric stuff.)

 

73, Dick WC1M

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