[randytsuch]

They really do 

I recently had a contractor install my new, 52" sony XBR2 LCD.  While doing this, I had him run a couple of conduits from the back of the TV, to a nearby closet, where most of my HT equipment will live.

Seemed like a good plan.  He ran a 1.5", and a 2.5" conduit, but since he was running the 2.5" (needed this for HDMI), he ran the conduit up to the ceiling, over, and then down into the closet.  This translates into three 90 degree bends, and about a 20 foot run.

He also installed pull strings, so I could pull the cables through the conduit.

Last weekend, I started to try to run wires, but ran into problems.  The wires would go so far, then stop.  I was thinking that the connector ends were causing problems, but I was able to run a toslink cable through, and it had a pretty big connector ( it is the monoprice premium one).  I did manage to get my HDMI cable in, but it was not easy.

I even cut off the RCA from one of my component cables, ran a THHN wire through, soldered the THHN to the component, and tried to pull it that way, and even that did not work.  Thats when I realized that with the three bends, there was too much friction from the rubber jacket against the conduit.

Did a little looking on the internet, and found that they sell wire lubricant, just for this problem.  Went to Home Depot today, and picked up quart of the stuff.

So tonight, I tried running a SVGA cable that I could not run this weekend, and it worked, with the lubricant.
BTW, if you just run THHN wire through conduit, it will probably be OK, since THHN has a slick outer coat on it.

One other thing I did to help.  I would tie the pull string just behind the connector, so it would not come off.  But like this, the connector could become cocked, and have trouble pulling though.  So, I put some take on the string, to tape the end of the connector to the string, and this makes it easier to pull the connector through the conduit.

Thought I would share this, just in case somebody else ever runs into this problem

Randy

[Nick B]

They really do 

I recently had a contractor install my new, 52" sony XBR2 LCD.  While doing this, I had him run a couple of conduits from the back of the TV, to a nearby closet, where most of my HT equipment will live.

Seemed like a good plan.  He ran a 1.5", and a 2.5" conduit, but since he was running the 2.5" (needed this for HDMI), he ran the conduit up to the ceiling, over, and then down into the closet.  This translates into three 90 degree bends, and about a 20 foot run.

He also installed pull strings, so I could pull the cables through the conduit.

Last weekend, I started to try to run wires, but ran into problems.  The wires would go so far, then stop.  I was thinking that the connector ends were causing problems, but I was able to run a toslink cable through, and it had a pretty big connector ( it is the monoprice premium one).  I did manage to get my HDMI cable in, but it was not easy.

I even cut off the RCA from one of my component cables, ran a THHN wire through, soldered the THHN to the component, and tried to pull it that way, and even that did not work.  Thats when I realized that with the three bends, there was too much friction from the rubber jacket against the conduit.

Did a little looking on the internet, and found that they sell wire lubricant, just for this problem.  Went to Home Depot today, and picked up quart of the stuff.

So tonight, I tried running a SVGA cable that I could not run this weekend, and it worked, with the lubricant.
BTW, if you just run THHN wire through conduit, it will probably be OK, since THHN has a slick outer coat on it.

One other thing I did to help.  I would tie the pull string just behind the connector, so it would not come off.  But like this, the connector could become cocked, and have trouble pulling though.  So, I put some take on the string, to tape the end of the connector to the string, and this makes it easier to pull the connector through the conduit.

Thought I would share this, just in case somebody else ever runs into this problem

Randy

Thanks, Randy. Very helpful since I'll be having a contractor do this work in a few months.
Nick

[randytsuch]

Hi Nick
Hope this helps you.  For a little while this weekend, I was wishing that I has just run all the wires I needed in the wall, I thought I was not going to be able to run the wires in the conduit.

Now that I have it figured out, I think the conduit is better.  In 10 years, when HDMI is replaced by XYZ, I will be able to just fish another wire through my conduit, and I will be set.

My speaker wires just come out of the walls, they don't go through conduit, and I need to get some wall covers for the front speakers, so it will look better.

One of these days, after I get things set up, I will post some pics.

BTW, I decided to order some of this stuff
http://www.twacomm.com/catalog/model_31-298.htm?sid=6FEDEA7A38898A8B21F0023B66C77560

It is made by the same company as the stuff I bought, but this stuff says that after it dries, it remains slick, so it would be easier to pull out, if I change things later on.


Randy

[Speedskater]

For other people, Remember "Pull gently!"
Cat 5 and 6, HDMI & Component cables don't like to be stretched or kinked.
It messes up their high frequency response.

[randytsuch]

For other people, Remember "Pull gently!"
Cat 5 and 6, HDMI & Component cables don't like to be stretched or kinked.
It messes up their high frequency response.

I had to pull pretty hard to get my HDMI cable through, hope I did not mess it up.  At least it would be a lot easier to pull the next time, but I really don't want to pull it out and do it again. 
I just put in a order with monoprice for some new component cables, so I don't have to worry about those.

Randy

[2wo]

Just remember to change the lube every 5000 Watts.

...John