"Rubber Boots" for weather tight RG-6

[kruegs]

Quick question for folks... I am attempting to source approx 20 of the little rubber boots used on RG-6 connection points to help weather seal them. I ran by Home Depot yesterday but couldn't find any. Anyone have an idea on local or on-line sources? The on-line sources I have found only have lots of 100 or more.

Thanks

[Mertzen]

Hrm, try finding a local cable/sat technician. He might be willing to part with a dozen or more of those moisture traps.

[kruegs]

Yeah, hoping that if I see a DirecTV truck on the street that I can hijack some. ;-)

[brant]

Hrm, try finding a local cable/sat technician. He might be willing to part with a dozen or more of those moisture traps.

:) not sure the OP got that. :)

[kruegs]

LOL, just re-read it. Sounds like Mertzen isn't a fan of those little buggers.

[Mertzen]

Yeah, with proper drip loops water gets away from connectors fast and with some dielectric grease should stand up properly. Wit the boots you have the chance water seeps in and stays for days.

[2dogz]

Radio Shack has them in a blister pack (1 pair).

You might be better off investing in some weather sealed PPC EX6XLWS F-connectors though.

[BattleZone]

Better is to get a tube of dielectric grease and squirt a little drop into each connector before you screw it on. That will protect much better than the rubber weather seals.

[davring]

+1 Dielectric grease, best thing since sliced bread:)

[Nick]

Mebbe to you, but not too tasty to me, though.

[joe diamond]

+1 Dielectric grease, best thing since sliced bread:)

Still not approved as a protection against STDs.......but I digress.
\I did some CATV work for a company that had contracts with two different systems. The one near DC paid extra to cut off "spark plug boots" they had previously paid to have installed. Th other system was paying for a drop rebuild that included a splitter / ground block / lightning protector ....recutting the fittings and adding cable grease (dielectric) with new plug boots.

Both systems had decided their way would keep water out of the fittings.

The F connectors with an O ring and grease work great. I have been to jobs I did five years ago and opened a few fittings just to look.....no problem!

Joe

[Mertzen]

good type, we use it here:

http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=SPVSG440

[2dogz]

good type, we use it here:

http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=SPVSG440

Stuff ain't cheap.

[Mertzen]

Stuff ain't cheap.

Yah, but one tube of this really goes a long way.

[BattleZone]

Stuff ain't cheap.

I have a tube that I've been using for over a year. You only use it for outside connections, and only a little drop, so one tube lasts a long, long time.

[kruegs]

So, I am definitely sold on the Dielectric grease. Dumb question... is this something that you would typically apply by squirting a small drop into the F-connector prior to screwing into the DirecTV switch, or would you apply it around the threads/F-connector after already screwed down?

Thanks again for all of the great feedback.

[Mertzen]

is this something that you would typically apply by squirting a small drop into the F-connector prior to screwing into the DirecTV switch,

Yup, exactly like that. About a pea size drop. I suggest maybe wearing a thin glove. The stuff gets everywhere too easily. :rolleyes:

[kruegs]

Awesome, thanks again. Got my project lined up for the weekend now. ;-)

[Ext 721]

+1 on all. I have seen the rubber cover "spark plug" type literally full of water a week after a rain storm. I have seen the rubber "slip over the barrel" O-ring type work great, but also seen them crack (always on top, probably because of UV rays) and again, hold water up to the f-connector weeks after a rainstorm.

Best policy is the di-electric grease. If you only need a little, buy those $1 little packs at the auto parts store. They usually try to force you to buy them with any spark plug purchase, so they must be a high profit item...but that way you will only blow a buck or two.

Smear the threads with the gunk before screwing down. it won't hurt to put a little on afterwards, also.

[ziggy29]

Stuff ain't cheap.
A lot cheaper than replacing long runs of coax that go bad. :)

[Talos4]

Dielectric works great on Christmas light connections too!

[armophob]

light coat of grease or petroleum jelly on the outside as well will help seepage into the connections.

[2dogz]

Dielectric works great on Christmas light connections too!

Hundreds of tiny little lights. You've got too much time on your hands. :)

[Johnnie5000]

light coat of grease or petroleum jelly on the outside as well will help seepage into the connections.

Except for the fact that all petroleum products have a tendency to dissolve the silicone dielectric inside the coaxial cable its great. :uglyhamme


good type, we use it here:

http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_disp...?PROD=SPVSG440

so do we

[Talos4]

Hundreds of tiny little lights. You've got too much time on your hands. :)

No, No just the Daisy chain electrical connections.

OMG all the lights:eek2:

It's bad enough when half a string doesn't work.:grin:

[pstr8ahead]

The only problem with inserting dielectric grease is that it creates a slight impedance mismatch. If too much is used it can create a problem for the highest ka frequencies. I love the stuff, just keep it to a minimum.

[beachcomber_1]

High quality shrink tubing, but you will need to cut it away if you need to change anything.

[bb37]

The only problem with inserting dielectric grease is that it creates a slight impedance mismatch.
When I use it on amateur radio feedline installations, I only put it on the threads. I don't try to fill the entire connector cavity with it. I wouldn't think just using on the threads would cause a problem, but maybe it does at higher frequencies.