Re: Coax as data cable

[Matt Ion <soundy106@xxxxxxxxx>]

Frank Olson wrote:
> Don wrote:
>
>> I'm always looking for better ways to do things.  What are the
>> preferred BNC connectors and tool to attach them?
>> must I solder or will crimp work?
>> I have used crimp ons from ADI but they don't seem to stay on as well
>> as the twistys.
>>
>>
>
>
> I'm on the "wet coast".  Solder works best for most anything involving
> "connections".  That being said I can't recall a problem involving a
> "twist on" connector.  Heaters fail resulting in condensation problems
> and then there's the "tire iron" service call.  That's where the perp
> beats the crap out of the camera with a tire iron (or similar blunt
> object) until service is required.  :-)

I normally use the three-piece crimp-ons, but I've also used twist-ons in a
pinch, and seen them in a lot of installations.  I've had a lot more problems
with the two-piece crimps, mostly because the shield crimps always seem to be
significantly larger than the cable I use, and I just can't get a tight fit on them.

In my experience, the only time I've ever seen problems with twist-ons is when
they're installed poorly - insulation not stripped back enough, or stripped back
too much so the threads don't bite into it, etc. Of course, any connector type
will give you problems if you do a half-assed job of it.

My only real problem with twist-ons is the pain in the wrists after doing any
more than a half-dozen or so of them.

BTW, for those connections exposed to the elements, I find it handy to carry a
tube of dielectric grease, the kind sold in automotive stores for coating
battery posts and wiring harness connections under the hood.  Goop some of that
in there, then if possible, wrap it up tight in PVC tape (the stretchier, the
better, to you can get a good tight form-fit).

Not much you can do about the "tire iron" calls short of installing Extreme CCTV
domes...