John Sayers' Recording Studio Design Forum

Oh, I won't sing that simple tune again...

Don't feel bad man. My best record is 3 trips to HD in one day, receiving a traffic ticket on the last trip home and still not being able to turn the water main back on into the house at the end of that day.

And that's not the only time I've made 3 trips to HD in one day... I can't think of a house repair I've done that only required one trip to HD.

Hey I know it's frustrating and I think we all do it.

BUT good to see you're back at work. Just think if you hadn't made those mistakes (behind you now) you'd have a day of mistakes ahead of you.

Marc

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As of Jun 2011, have not finished studio. But working as The One Man Band Marc Dobson which hopefully will continue up my career to a point where I can afford to finish my build.

Thanks for the condolences, Marc. You could call my previous post "venting" -- I knew I could count on some empathy from y'all.

Well, I do have a progress report -- a pretty good one, actually. It would have been more, but I got a very late start today because... Well, hmmm... Should I? Yeah, why not... A couple of times a year I spot a suspected drunk driver. If I'm able (and last night my wife and I were), I'll notify California Highway Patrol and safely follow the driver as far and as long as practical, and keep the dispatcher(s) updated along the way.

Last night's event was one of the most egregious. The guy was OK much of the time but would drift suddenly into lanes and shoulders, nearly wiping out or taking other innocent motorists with him.

We crossed jurisdictions and led to a hand-off to another dispatch center. About thirty miles after the "slow speed chase" started (we're woefully underserved by CHP), I finally had two cruisers catch up to us. They pulled him over, checked him out, and...... Would you believe he wasn't drunk! Just tired! My wife and I were shocked! They cited him, let him go, and thanked me for my help.

Soooooo... Where was I? Oh, yes -- a progress report!

Recall that this was the version that Rod drew to my attention as not to code:





After two more Home Depot trips (two separate stores), here's the new hookup which I sure hope is to code now (Rod!):







The wire in the conduit is now THWN (Thermoplastic Heat and Water Resistant Nylon Coated) 12 guage solid, including a green ground wire -- no longer the stripped NM-B (Romex) cable with a bare ground wire. (It's for a 20 amp 120 volt circuit.)

Obviously I have some work left to do in the junction box... ...But I did drill the holes into the attic already, so I just need to go up to the attic to feed NM-B cable into the holes and hook it up.

I'm not so thrilled to have another artery on the wall -- I miss having everything so neatly tucked into the downspout thing. But it's not too bad I guess. It will look better after I paint it to match the house, of course -- but I'm going to wait on that until it's inspected. I want the inspector to see that I used Schedule 80 electrical PVC.

I wasn't able to remove the old water-tight conduit, so I just cut it off and left it inside the downspout thing.

It may not seem like much, but I'm glad to at least be unstuck and moving forward again.

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"Converting a garage into living space requires a city permit . . . homeowners insurance won't cover a structure that's been changed without a building permit . . ." --Sacramento Bee, May 27, 2006

Good for you Keith - both on your progress and for your caring of your fellow, non-drinking drivers. I saw the same thing one night and called it in, but never really thought to follow them until the cops catch up - that's a very good idea.

I can relate to the multiple HD trips also. I just hate the one's (like this past Sunday) where you get there only to find them closed - that's the worst! I at least feel grateful it's only a 10 minute drive for me - I know some people on here have to be way more organized than us if they have a 1 hour+ drive!

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That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger... still, wear a hard-hat just in case!

I thought the same thing, Andy... Lucky for me my nearest Home Depot is 3 miles away from my house.

--Keith

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"Converting a garage into living space requires a city permit . . . homeowners insurance won't cover a structure that's been changed without a building permit . . ." --Sacramento Bee, May 27, 2006

Well, here it is two weeks later, and this is the only progress photo I have to share with you all...



But, this is significant, I think, because it sort of a "golden spike" moment. Well, not really... But it represents the fact that I was able to get the cable from the attic into the junction box outside, which was no small accomplishment!

Unfortunately it took several attic trips to what is arguably the most challenging area to navigate... Unfortunately, my first effort to pull both cables failed -- only one came through while the other got hung up on the attic side.

There are times when I really wish I had hired a pro. Yesterday was one of them. I spent a lot of time in extremely cramped and uncomfortable quarters untangling the mess of lines inside the attic that is totally my fault for a combination of lack of preparedness, poor execution, and in a practical sense, having to work solo all the time. When I think of all the money I'm saving by doing the work by myself, I sometimes wonder if I'm working for minimum wage!

But, I continue in my quest... Each day I put a few hours in, I get that much closer to the final result, and I keep my eye on the prize.

And speaking of the prize -- this past weekend I attended the first annual Bay Area Rock Fest, where I saw, heard, and/or personally interacted with ten awesome bands from all over the world. This is my excuse for not doing anything on my build last weekend! I had a fantastic time and made a number of new friends.

I'm not nearly done with my attic trips though... I still need to do some more detangling, stapling/securing, and pulling. I doubt it will get done today though, 'cuz today's Mother's Day and there are some moms and grandmas to celebrate.

--Keith

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"Converting a garage into living space requires a city permit . . . homeowners insurance won't cover a structure that's been changed without a building permit . . ." --Sacramento Bee, May 27, 2006

Hai Keith,

Looking "good"... but could be better.
Next time leave some extra wire within the box (just wire it one time around) to have some extra slack.
Why are you using those old fashioned fasteners? (dunno the English term for "lasdop").

This is an old fashioned one which can be used only ones (can't add extra wire in it later). Also installation is a drag... (twisting wires in place..)


As you can see from the next pic, those are much easier to use (just plug'm in) and additional wires can be added later. I'd recommend those, especially for laymen. (just hook'm up baby!)

You can clearly see the how easy it is to add wires


Another thing, pulling wires through the box by drilling a new hole in it is not, atleast here on this side of the ocean, permitted.

just looking over yer shoulders keith. keep it up!

hey keith do you have to cover those bare copper wires with an earth sleve? its just its code in the uk.

There's actually a fair amount of slack in there... It may seem tighter than it actually is.


They're standard here in the US... ...I actually looked for the type of connector you showed, but I couldn't find any.


Hmmm... How else can I make the transition?


And I appreciate that!

--Keith

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"Converting a garage into living space requires a city permit . . . homeowners insurance won't cover a structure that's been changed without a building permit . . ." --Sacramento Bee, May 27, 2006

I don't think so...

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"Converting a garage into living space requires a city permit . . . homeowners insurance won't cover a structure that's been changed without a building permit . . ." --Sacramento Bee, May 27, 2006

Keith,

The extra slack is especially handy when using the kind of connectors you use. When you need to add another end, you have to cut the whole and strip wires again in order to re-twist and connect them again. Using that other connector I showed you (comes in various designs) you're able to just jenk of the damn connector without cutting wires. It surprised me to hear you could not find any of them "newer" types.

Cutting wholes yourself is not according to code. Buy some new pre-drilled boxes to add more cable-ends. NEVER use the bottom of the box, like you did. (well at least according European standards that is )

Look it this kinda box: (this guy's using very short cable, but it's connected using newer connectors so don't need too much slack.. altho shown is another application.. don't worry, it's all about the box)


ro

Ro,

What the actual name of those connectors, and do you know where I might find them to buy them?? They look much easier then the standard romex caps.

Guess I better check with codes as well on these new ones for this area, because I can not find them anywhere either>? Maybe thats why>?>?

Let me know if you have any inmformation on them.

Thanks
AJ

I've been thinking about this practically non-stop since I responded this morning...

I think I might know how I should have made the transition from surface of wall to through wall... and I may yet redo it this way:

It's an LB connector, similar to the elbow thing beside the service disconnect -- rather than make a "left turn," it makes a "rear turn":



I'm thinking I should replace the junction box with one just like it that has a second entry on the opposite (left) end that will accommodate my attaching one of the above LB connectors, then have 8 to 10 feet of PVC conduit attached to that which will run into the attic and attach to a threaded coupling and into another junction box up there.

Just when I thought I was done with this part...

--Keith

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"Converting a garage into living space requires a city permit . . . homeowners insurance won't cover a structure that's been changed without a building permit . . ." --Sacramento Bee, May 27, 2006

Sorry, dunno where to buy them in your part of the globe. I do live in Holland/Europe.

Romex, however, is a world-wide brand and do deliver the conduit boxes and additional stuff.

The box I showed has pre-cut holes which mostly are sealed in order to break the opening when needed. Then you'll add (screw) a Tight-connector to it, something like this:

(this is a water tight one, somewhat expensive and used outdoor)
See this link for website

Here's a conduit box:
http://amos.shop.com/cc.amos?main=prod&act=33466587%2C43761857&ccsyn=261&ccsid=949542702-5055
I'm sure you can get something like that in your local hardware store.

But again, not sure how things are dun 'n the USA for example. But sure there's some code-book around

ps. Keith, you checked the new DT yet?

But of course! Click my "www" icon.

Just bought 10th row tickets for their Northern California show on Sunday, and I'm considering traveling to the other two California shows as well.

--Keith

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"Converting a garage into living space requires a city permit . . . homeowners insurance won't cover a structure that's been changed without a building permit . . ." --Sacramento Bee, May 27, 2006

Man, I'm still waiting for them to announce a date that's closer than 3 states away.