Boltek Lightning Detector Mounting

[krelvinaz]

That would be a long run… Pools in the back yard. Detector/Hornet Nest is in the front yard.

[nikoshepherd]

I can see you don’t have much experience with hornets :lol:

[krelvinaz]

@iww post:16

Is it night time in AZ at the moment? I can’t see any land!!

Hopefully this is a tad bit better. Still waiting on the maps from Astrogenic Systems. Kinda played around to see what I could do.

http://www.tnetweather.com/weather-lightning.php

I can now start adding more detail if I want.

[nikoshepherd]

Looks good

[Thunderchild]

I like the way you have set this up, I was thinking of doing the same but I am very concerned about heat buildup as this is going to be installed on the Island of Malta where summer temperatures reach 40C so what it will reach inside a 3" pipe God only knows.
I wonder if I should maybe instaall a chimney type system allowing airflow through the pipe ?
Wonder if anyone has had any problems with installing the Boltek aerial in a high temperature area ? :roll:

[Softvark]

@Thunderchild post:25

I like the way you have set this up, I was thinking of doing the same but I am very concerned about heat buildup as this is going to be installed on the Island of Malta where summer temperatures reach 40C so what it will reach inside a 3" pipe God only knows.
I wonder if I should maybe instaall a chimney type system allowing airflow through the pipe ?
Wonder if anyone has had any problems with installing the Boltek aerial in a high temperature area ? :roll:

I can’t find the actual posts but this is something I mentioned earlier in this thread - http://discourse.weather-watch.com/p/53148. I would definitely try and keep the antenna cool if possible. It will definitely have a shorter life if you cook it.

Julian

[Coyote]

i have installed mine in the attic under ther rafters Since it does get very hot here in south texas
Coyote

[krelvinaz]

@Thunderchild post:25

I like the way you have set this up, I was thinking of doing the same but I am very concerned about heat buildup as this is going to be installed on the Island of Malta where summer temperatures reach 40C so what it will reach inside a 3" pipe God only knows.
I wonder if I should maybe instaall a chimney type system allowing airflow through the pipe ?
Wonder if anyone has had any problems with installing the Boltek aerial in a high temperature area ? :roll:

I plan on making a couple changes…

1. paint it white. To help reflect the heat. We get upwards of 115

[Thunderchild]

I have found and decided on the way to go about mounting the Boltek aerial and to keep it cool.
It will be mounter within a white 4 or 6" (Watch out what paint you use if you paint it white) drain pipe with nylon / plastic fine mesh applied to the top and bottom of the vertical section. The paint must not contain and lead.
The fine plastic mesh can be covered by piece of the wife’s old nylon tights and the top and bottom can be gripped using pipe brackets to hold them in place.
The top will have a cover suspended on plastic brackets held together with plastic / nylon screws and silicon rubber not to allow ingress of water.
The larger diameter pipe should allow airflow and dissipate heat.
When I finish it off I will post some pictures.

Regards
Bill

[nikoshepherd]

@krelvinaz post:28

I’m going to put silicone on the RJ45 as well to seal it.

I wouldn’t use common silicone close to an electrical connection, some of it contains/cures with acetic acid (that vinegar smell) which is not something you want around contacts. If you want to seal it I would suggest wrapping it with self vulcanizing tape, that’s a tape sold for electrical or plumbing that just sticks to itself with no adhesive, I’m blanking on the trade name at the moment.

[administrator]

@nikoshepherd post:30

self vulcanizing tape

Usually called self-amalgamating tape in the UK.

[nikoshepherd]

@administrator post:31

Usually called self-amalgamating tape in the UK.

Yeah, that’s what I remember, I can see all sorts of UK sites selling it under that description

Update: It’s called “self fusing” tape here in the US

[krelvinaz]

The stuff I have is for electrical connections. I don’t have it handy to say the name… I have used it a lot on my Truck for connections as well so it is in my tool bag in the Truck.

[StrmChsr]

hey all,
hope this is’t to off the topic, even though is has a hint of mounting flavor.
What is the max length for the car 5 cable in the boltek install?

Thanks,
Kris

[dcrooks]

From the Boltek site:

StormTracker includes 50 feet of antenna cable. Additional cable may be ordered, up to 200 feet total cable length.

I guess 200’ is the maximum.

[StrmChsr]

Ah yes should have thought to check the site a little harder.
Thanks Dan.
Kris

[aardvark]

Found a supplier of the self fusing tape, and ordered a couple of rolls. Waiting for the ground to dry a bit before going out and fuse away…

[tpfrs]

I am awaiting with excitement for my Boltek system. (Hopefully tomorrow). Where I live in Western Australia it gets above 40c. so heat is a bit of worry. White poly pipe seems to be the go? I have a tin roof and I understand that the Boltek must be above and away from building and metal interference? I have an 8 metre steel pole that I was going to use. Am right in saying that I would have to put the poly pipe on the very top to ensure the metal pole does not cause interference?

Many thanks

[nikoshepherd]

Yes, ideally you want the Boltek higher than the top of the steel pipe.

[dcrooks]

Recommend no metal within 3 feet (1 meter?) of the antenna. Makes the actual mounting of the antenna inside the pvc pipe an interesting affair. I used nylon screws and plastic wire ties to mount mine to a piece of wood.