rowlie Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 My project is getting closer to being usable, however I have a problem. I fitted a Status 350 TV aerial and all has been fine until a couple of days ago when we had a torrential downpour. I found that water was leaking down the cable from the aerial into the wardrobe. I know the base was well sealed and there has been no leak until this latest rain. I seperated the top of the aerial from the base and found that there was water on the co-axial cable. This would suggest that is has entered from the top half of ther assembley. Has anyone experienced this and what was the outcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Bajcar Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 Low loss coaxial cable in particular can have the central conductor separated from the braided sheath by by a tube within which the central core is held in place by something akin to spokes which means that water can flow inside the cable. It may be that this has happened and I would try sealing the top of the cable with some sort of gland or perhaps silicon. Mick Bajcar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John52 Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 I've sealed my roof mounted fan and all roof aerials (Wi Fi, TV, Radio) and cable entry holes with Plumber's Mait. No strength but no leaks - stays like plasticine so doesn't crack and easily dismantled. :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
globebuster Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 I agree that you may need to apply some sealant as suggested - but I strongly advise you avoid using something along the lines of Plumbers Mait. Use something appropriate for the task, like a decent silicone or PU product. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John52 Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 globebuster - 2017-05-21 9:08 PM I strongly advise you avoid using something along the lines of Plumbers Mait. . Why? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
globebuster Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 Why? Well, because it's not suitable for the application. Am I prepared to elaborate? No, experience tells me it would be futile and pointless - certainly as far as you're concerned. But to coin the phrase - it probably does 'exactly what it says on the tin' and no more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith T Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 we had exactly the same problem a couple of years ago, and looked at the roof mounting, but like the OP found the water was actually coming down the cable. On the basis it was not a DIY project us, we took it to our regular service/dealer, and the they said its not worth trying to take the aerial to pieces to repair/seal it, and we had to have a new Ariel. As the original one was fairly old, we did take the opportunity to go for the latest digital one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John52 Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 globebuster - 2017-05-21 10:26 PM Why? Well, because it's not suitable for the application. Am I prepared to elaborate? No, experience tells me it would be futile and pointless - certainly as far as you're concerned. But to coin the phrase - it probably does 'exactly what it says on the tin' and no more. Well I use it and it works :-D Plumbers rely on it to seal toilets and stop the contents coming down through the bathroom floor into the rooms below, so why wouldn't I rely on it to keep rainwater out? Because it doesn't list motorhome roofs on the packaging *-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJay Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 John52 - 2017-05-22 9:10 AM globebuster - 2017-05-21 10:26 PM Why? Well, because it's not suitable for the application. Am I prepared to elaborate? No, experience tells me it would be futile and pointless - certainly as far as you're concerned. But to coin the phrase - it probably does 'exactly what it says on the tin' and no more. Well I use it and it works :-D Plumbers rely on it to seal toilets and stop the contents coming down through the bathroom floor into the rooms below, so why wouldn't I rely on it to keep rainwater out? Because it doesn't list motorhome roofs on the packaging *-) Probably not flexible enough! My OH worked in the adhesive industry , and you should use an appropriate product for the job. So Plumber's mate for Pluming only and indoors PJay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
globebuster Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 If it works for you that's fine - and I'm glad you're happy. However, your limited use of the product, does not necessarily endorse it's suitability. I would also add that any plumber who 'relies on it' to ensure the containment of the contents of a WC is not one you ought to employ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Bajcar Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 Like PJay, I feel that Plumber's Mait would not be flexible enough and bound to crack with use. Plumber's Mait is very low tech, essentially putty that used to be used to hold glass in window frames (for those old enough to remember such things). A little blob of silicon sealant at the end of the coax cable is sure to do the trick Mick Bajcar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John52 Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 PJay - 2017-05-22 10:14 AM My OH worked in the adhesive industry , and you should use an appropriate product for the job. PJay LOL they have always got an 'appropriate product for the job' (lol) Priced £29.99 ;-) If the thing is held together by its own fastenings you don't need an adhesive. You only need a sealant. You will curse the adhesive if you need to dismantle it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John52 Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 globebuster - 2017-05-22 11:24 AM If it works for you that's fine - and I'm glad you're happy. However, your limited use of the product, does not necessarily endorse it's suitability. I would also add that any plumber who 'relies on it' to ensure the containment of the contents of a WC is not one you ought to employ. Plumbers Mait is standard practice to seal the waste pipe into the back of a toilet - which is a piece of pottery not made to the standards of precision necessary for a conventional seal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John52 Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 Mick Bajcar - 2017-05-22 12:08 PM Like PJay, I feel that Plumber's Mait would not be flexible enough and bound to crack with use. Mick Bajcar Plumber's Mait has been sealing my van roof in 11 places for 7 years and no sign of cracks or leaks so far. Can't say the same for silicone sealants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJay Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 John52 - 2017-05-22 12:26 PM Mick Bajcar - 2017-05-22 12:08 PM Like PJay, I feel that Plumber's Mait would not be flexible enough and bound to crack with use. Mick Bajcar Plumber's Mait has been sealing my van roof in 11 places for 7 years and no sign of cracks or leaks so far. Can't say the same for silicone sealants. !! places ??? Glad I won't be looking to buy your van, should it come on market PJay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
globebuster Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 John, I see your knowledge of recent/current soil pipe to WC pan connection spigot is somewhat dated? As I said previously, if you're happy using it that's fine - but you appear to be in the minority as to it's suitability for anything motorhome related, so what's the point harping on about it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John52 Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 PJay - 2017-05-22 2:08 PM John52 - 2017-05-22 12:26 PM Mick Bajcar - 2017-05-22 12:08 PM Like PJay, I feel that Plumber's Mait would not be flexible enough and bound to crack with use. Mick Bajcar Plumber's Mait has been sealing my van roof in 11 places for 7 years and no sign of cracks or leaks so far. Can't say the same for silicone sealants. !! places ??? Glad I won't be looking to buy your van, should it come on market PJay All small holes except for roof fan. 2 for bracket and one for cable of 2 wifi aerials. 4 for 4 point mounted home made TV aerial. Been on 7 years and no leaks :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John52 Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 globebuster - 2017-05-22 10:34 PM John, I see your knowledge of recent/current soil pipe to WC pan connection spigot is somewhat dated? Some use a plastic seal because its quicker. But in my experience Plumber's Mait is 100% reliable, unlike the plastic seal, because it moulds to mis-shaped outlet pipes.and doesn't deteriorate like the plastic seals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keninpalamos Posted May 23, 2017 Share Posted May 23, 2017 John52 - 2017-05-22 12:26 PM Mick Bajcar - 2017-05-22 12:08 PM Like PJay, I feel that Plumber's Mait would not be flexible enough and bound to crack with use. Mick Bajcar Plumber's Mait has been sealing my van roof in 11 places for 7 years and no sign of cracks or leaks so far. Can't say the same for silicone sealants. Eleven places! That's impressive. obviously Plumber Mate is the stuff to use. That's why it is used throughout the caravan and Motorhome industry but I know Sikaflex is pretty rubbish but give it a try Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted May 23, 2017 Share Posted May 23, 2017 There’s advice on using ‘plumber’s putty’ here http://www.ebay.co.uk/gds/How-to-Use-Plumbers-Putty-/10000000177771499/g.html “Plumber’s Mai” is not a product I’d use nowadays even for domestic plumbing and I would not consider it for water-sealing on a motorhome (or at least not on my own motorhome ;-) ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John52 Posted May 23, 2017 Share Posted May 23, 2017 Interesting that those experts saying Plumber's Mait is not suitable haven't actually tried it. Wheras I have, and found it works :-S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
globebuster Posted May 23, 2017 Share Posted May 23, 2017 globebuster - 2017-05-22 10:34 PM John, I see your knowledge of recent/current soil pipe to WC pan connection spigot is somewhat dated? As I said previously, if you're happy using it that's fine - but you appear to be in the minority as to it's suitability for anything motorhome related, so what's the point harping on about it? At the risk of repeating myself.........let it go. We all get the message - You love the stuff!!! Time to move on now........ chatterbox awaits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blaven Posted May 23, 2017 Share Posted May 23, 2017 I used to be a plumber's mate. One of my many summer jobs as a student. He was apprenticed pre-war,(2nd). and there was nothing he didn't know about sealing. We used paint, hairy twine pulled through an old tobacco tin full of lard, and lead washers compressed against brass nuts. Also whilst connecting cast iron downspout lengths, hemp caulking topped out with lead wool. Nothing ever leaked by the time he was finished. Mind you, you could never dismantle a joint without totally wrecking the appliance afterwards. I've nothing against using old materials if they work for you. They are tried and tested and cost peanuts and are not 'technique-sensitive'. My beef is going to a supplier and paying for a tube of material, putting it in the gun, extruding half an inch of it for the job in hand and watching it go off in the tube over the next months of inactivity. Then repeating the whole miserable process two years down the line when the new wonder material fails because one's overlooked some tiny instruction in the small print. Lighten up you guys, some egos at work here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keninpalamos Posted May 23, 2017 Share Posted May 23, 2017 blaven - 2017-05-23 9:41 AM I used to be a plumber's mate. One of my many summer jobs as a student. He was apprenticed pre-war,(2nd). and there was nothing he didn't know about sealing. We used paint, hairy twine pulled through an old tobacco tin full of lard, and lead washers compressed against brass nuts. Also whilst connecting cast iron downspout lengths, hemp caulking topped out with lead wool. Nothing ever leaked by the time he was finished. Mind you, you could never dismantle a joint without totally wrecking the appliance afterwards. I've nothing against using old materials if they work for you. They are tried and tested and cost peanuts and are not 'technique-sensitive'. My beef is going to a supplier and paying for a tube of material, putting it in the gun, extruding half an inch of it for the job in hand and watching it go off in the tube over the next months of inactivity. Then repeating the whole miserable process two years down the line when the new wonder material fails because one's overlooked some tiny instruction in the small print. Lighten up you guys, some egos at work here. I've never used egos. What's it like and is it better than his mate or should I stick to glue? :-> Sorry :$ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John52 Posted May 23, 2017 Share Posted May 23, 2017 keninpalamos - 2017-05-23 6:28 AM Plumber Mate is the stuff to use. That's why it is used throughout the caravan and Motorhome industry but I know Sikaflex is pretty rubbish but give it a try Well 'Sikaflex' or whatever has failed in this case, thats why its leaking. You wouldn't use Plumber's Mate on a production line because a skilled operator with a caulking gun can work much faster. If the job takes 10 seconds with a caulking gun or 5 minutes with plumber's mait that matters on a production line. Doesn't matter when its a DIY er fixing a leak on his van. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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