Getting the wires over the path |
george12 28-03-2006, 11:33 PM Hi guys,
I have a small but annoying problem. I'm running a 2-wire cable to my neighbor's house.
Basically, my neighbor and I are on different sides of a concrete path about 70cm wide, with grass on either side. I have the cable run to within 1m of the path and can easily do the same at my neighbor's house. But I can't run the cable over the path, and there is no way not to cross it.
I can see two options: under and over. In other words, digging it underneath the path, or running it overhead. I'm pretty sure overhead is illegal, but are there any alternatives or an easy way to get it under? I don't know how deep the concrete goes.
It's a phone wire so wireless would be technically possible but tricky and would require me to build a solution myself. I'd like to avoid that option because I'd miss out on Caller ID and possibly other stuff, and it would require a lot of work.
And yes, I do have permission from the phone company :D
What about (with consent of the neighbors) somehow cutting a crack/groove in the concrete (it's a really old rough path, no consmetic issues) and then filling it with concrete?
Ideas?
Standing_Amazed 28-03-2006, 11:38 PM This may sound obvious, but have you considered a cordless phone?
george12 28-03-2006, 11:39 PM This may sound obvious, but have you considered a cordless phone?
I don't know of any that would reach from my neighbor's house to mine, and I'd have to buy (/build) a separate charger.
Standing_Amazed 28-03-2006, 11:48 PM I don't know of any that would reach from my neighbor's house to mine, and I'd have to buy (/build) a separate charger.
How far is it?
george12 28-03-2006, 11:49 PM About 90m or so, no line of sight - a house in the way.
Laura 29-03-2006, 12:01 AM Hmmm...
Does this mean you're not at Carrington Hall after all, George?
Or is this a Heriot Row/Queen St scenario?
Rob99 29-03-2006, 12:16 AM Dig under.
george12 29-03-2006, 12:31 AM Hmmm...
Does this mean you're not at Carrington Hall after all, George?
Or is this a Heriot Row/Queen St scenario?
Neither, what? I live in Ohiro Rd in Wellington...
Or was it a joke I missed in my utter tiredness?
What about (with consent of the neighbors) somehow cutting a crack/groove in the concrete (it's a really old rough path, no consmetic issues) and then filling it with concrete?
I think you've answered your own question.
Laura 29-03-2006, 01:08 AM Sorry, george.
Obviously I'm the one who's tired.
I was confusing you with Prescott, who's just come to Dunedin - lord knows why..
(Probably offended both of them now)
SurferJoe46 29-03-2006, 03:39 AM I have used a "water drill" which I made from some scraps of PVC pipe and a fitting or two to use water pressure to drill under a sidewalk and also a wide driveway slab to get wires to the other side, going under the concrete. The expense if you have to buy all new stuff is really cheap, probably less than $5.00US.
If you are interested, I can make some drawings and send them to you or even upload them to the F1 upload site later when I get back from a day trip to Rancho Cucamonga later today. :nerd:
somebody 29-03-2006, 07:48 AM The "Water Drill" method Joe mentions is very good - you dig a hole each side of the path, and use your garden hose (with water turned on to full) to blast through the dirt underneat the path, burrowing a tunnel under the concrete.
Then you can just cut off the end of the garden hose and use that to run the cable through.
mark c 29-03-2006, 08:35 AM If the path is as old and crumbly as you suggest just use a crowbar or sledgehammer to bust a channel thru then dig the cable under100 mm or so, backfill and get a bag of readicrete and patch the path up.
PaulD 29-03-2006, 08:51 AM I've just used the hose method to run garden light wires under a path. Much easier than breaking up the path and repairing. Dig down either side so you aren't too close to the path as some people used a lot of rubble under the topping of concrete and you can get the hose caught by rough bits.
By the way, ordinary 2W telephone cable isn't waterproof. If you bury it directly in ground, it will fill with water.
EX-WESTY 29-03-2006, 09:04 AM Dig a trench either side of the path lining up with each other and bang a piece of pipe thru under the path then either pull it out or feed the wiring thru it. We commonly used 1/2" galv pipe for this purpose. The stop the end filling with dirt as it goes thru the use of a valve from a defunct engine was a good stopper. Then place a piece of timber over the business end and hammer it thru with a sledgehammer. Even at 700mm you could probably trench up to, then dig thru with a crow bar from either side.
Is it just a phone line your sharing George or are you running a Lan between yourselves? As mentioned above internal cable is not suitable for extended or exposed outdoor use. Therefore if it's a phone line you'll need the get the 2 pair jelly filled cable. Wiring must also meet Telecom's telepermit requirements. And beware of power cables when your digging around, they do bite!
The "Water Drill" method Joe mentions is very good - you dig a hole each side of the path, and use your garden hose (with water turned on to full) to blast through the dirt underneat the path, burrowing a tunnel under the concrete.
Then you can just cut off the end of the garden hose and use that to run the cable through.What a cunning idea!
Graham L 29-03-2006, 01:11 PM Is the path a public path? If it's just a private path, on private land, there's nothing to stop you going overhead. Going over roads is another matter.
But as far as I know it's illegal to run a telephone wire between two properties. That's part of the old PO monopoly, and that would cover underground too.
ninja 29-03-2006, 01:19 PM Is the path a public path? If it's just a private path, on private land, there's nothing to stop you going overhead. Going over roads is another matter.
But as far as I know it's illegal to run a telephone wire between two properties. That's part of the old PO monopoly, and that would cover underground too.Yeah I would have thought this was the case.
Winston001 29-03-2006, 02:04 PM Dig a trench either side of the path lining up with each other and bang a piece of pipe thru under the path then either pull it out or feed the wiring thru it. We commonly used 1/2" galv pipe for this purpose. The stop the end filling with dirt as it goes thru the use of a valve from a defunct engine was a good stopper. Then place a piece of timber over the business end and hammer it thru with a sledgehammer. Even at 700mm you could probably trench up to, then dig thru with a crow bar from either side.
Exactly what I'd do. Quick and simple. You'll need a sledgehammer, length of pipe, and enough room at the business end to swing the hammer. :thumbs:
mikebartnz 29-03-2006, 02:53 PM I have gone under a few paths laying plessay watering systems without too much trouble. Give it a try and if you don't succeed then go get that concrete cutter.
george12 29-03-2006, 03:51 PM The path isn't a road, just an old trail of concrete jointly owned by 5 properties - me, the neighbor, and 3 others who don't mind. I got permission from the phone company, they said it's just the same to them as running an extension within your own home.
The water drill idea sounds good to me. I'll just ask the neighbors for definite approval first.
Thanks for the help.
Graham L 29-03-2006, 03:58 PM Since it's probably a typical kiwibloke concrete job, the water drill might not be the best way. The concrete won't have been laid on a proper consolidated base, and you'll wash out a lot of soil. That will leave a big hole under the path. The first time someone wheels something heavy along the path there'll be a collapse.
I'd just chip (or diamond saw) out a spade width section of the path, dig down, put in the hose or other ducting, refill the trench with compacted sand/shingle, and pour new concrete. It will then be the best bit of path. ;)
ninja 29-03-2006, 04:02 PM Seems rather a bizarre endeavour.
*ring ring*
"Oh Hi, right, he's next door - hang on"
george12 29-03-2006, 05:06 PM Ninja, if you carefully read the post you should be able to see that I am running a wire to my house, thus the phone line comes into my house, and I answer the phone in .... my house.
Anyway, Telstra has changed their mind and decided my house is in fact servicable and I am getting them to do the work for a mere $50.
Greven 29-03-2006, 05:43 PM Thats cheap. what is involved on their end?
george12 29-03-2006, 10:05 PM It'll probably cost them 5 times that in labour. They have to dig a 25 metre long trench to put the underground cable in, and run it along 2 telephone poles + the trench.
Looks like they think $29.95 a month is worth it...
Metla 29-03-2006, 10:11 PM Granted its all now done and dusted, But digging underneath?, Lift the slab, run the cable through, drop the slab back down, could have been done faster then the time it took to ask.
ninja 29-03-2006, 10:17 PM Ninja, if you carefully read the post you should be able to see that I am running a wire to my house, thus the phone line comes into my house, and I answer the phone in .... my house.
I have a small but annoying problem. I'm running a 2-wire cable to my neighbor's house..
roddy_boy 30-03-2006, 02:56 AM .
Well said. Well said. Lol
SurferJoe46 30-03-2006, 04:37 AM This is kinda cute (in that strange NZ-tongue-to-US-English-speaking-tongue):
"Therefore if it's a phone line you'll need the get the 2 pair jelly filled cable."
The phone companies here call this "icky-pick"....appropriate enough! :p
george12 30-03-2006, 04:10 PM .
What you've got to understand ninja, is that wires have two ends. I assumed that most people in the thread would take that for granted, especially an intelligent person like you.
It's a simple concept that one end of the wire goes to my house, and one end goes the my neighbor's house.
Granted its all now done and dusted, But digging underneath?, Lift the slab, run the cable through, drop the slab back down, could have been done faster then the time it took to ask.
Problem is that I'm simply not strong enough to lift a slab of concrete 25m long, 0.7m wide and 5cm deep. We're talking tonnes here you know :p.
Rob99 30-03-2006, 04:17 PM Problem is that I'm simply not strong enough to lift a slab of concrete 25m long, 0.7m wide and 5cm deep. We're talking tonnes here you know :p.Obviously not a weetbix kid then :horrified
Graham L 30-03-2006, 05:10 PM ... Problem is that I'm simply not strong enough to lift a slab of concrete 25m long, 0.7m wide and 5cm deep. We're talking tonnes here you know .Lift one side at a time. :cool:
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george12 30-03-2006, 05:23 PM Lift one side at a time. :cool:
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Aha, that's good advice Graham, but the problem is that one side is connected via concrete to another few tonnes of steps, and the other side is connected to a few 1000 tonnes of road, and then we're getting too much even for a weetbix kid (which I am, thankyou Rob - 3 every morning for me) :D
Metla 30-03-2006, 05:27 PM A demolition spade will lift one end, No worries at all, Just have to put your back into it.
Having said that, I just gave the back doctor another 120 bucks, hes a nice chap, Ive pretty much paid for his car over the years.
Or in the event that you cant lift it, Just grab the family bobcat and use that.......
SurferJoe46 31-03-2006, 04:56 AM I know what Metla means...but for those who don't...here's the "BobCat" the which he refers: http://www.bobcat.com/products/ssl/index.html
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