Running wires to HF sections

[Keryn O'Shea]

Trawled the forum and plans for a neater way to run wires out for HF sections, but couldn't find anything (not looking hard enough?!) Here's a solution I've tried.
Routed a channel on the top or bottom before assembly, then dialed down the staple gun and shot 30 staples over the wire on a test peice to see if any bridging would happen. Stapled the wire in place and ran sealer over the top. You can do this at the end by running a routed track on the outside and drill down to the array, just the start is easier for me. Has anyone a better or different way?

[Bruce Weldy]

Has anyone a better or different way?

Yeah, just drill a hole through the horn. Apply sealant.

[Michael Ewald Hansen]

Has anyone a better or different way?

Yeah, just drill a hole through the horn. Apply sealant.

+1

[Grant Bunter]

Keryn,
That looks very neat.

I just drilled a hole and sealed it, then used holt melt glue to hold the wire down.
Since I painted my cabs black, and have grill on them, the wiring to the HF is largely invisible.

[Keryn O'Shea]

Thanks Grant, yes with a grille it's no drama, asking friends to fault the look of the cabs I had a few say if the wires were completely hidden it would appear the HF were floating, one ladie said it (the wires exiting the horn with sealer) made the whole cab look "homemade", only because the cab design looks so modern and clean, most people here prefer no grilles

[AntonZ]

I would never have thought of the routed and sealed channel, I like it for looks.

But it does reduce the structural strength of the panel somewhat. Just depends on how long the channel is, and if there is any support bracing perpendicular to the routed channel. Feel free to consider this nitpicking if the channel is short

[Keryn O'Shea]

The channel runs down into two out of the 5 plys, and under 2 of the braces, to just inside the cab at the baffle, and just behind the HF support so the wires run up inside the brace, I thought of recessing them inside the brace too only don't have a router bit small enough, but imagine it can be done. When I tried to snap the practice peice with a channel it took a fair force before it let go Antonz! It's not nitpicking mate, a fresh set of eyes and input on any project is welcome to me, thats what led to this idea.

[Keryn O'Shea]

Here's what it turned out like from both sides of the horn, the array is just sitting there and the wire you can see will be attatched when they're fitted. Grant, your tip on stripping insulation from one long wire is brilliant, I used a thicker wire as for sure I'd cut through wire in the mid strip!

[Grant Bunter]

Here's what it turned out like from both sides of the horn, the array is just sitting there and the wire you can see will be attatched when they're fitted. Grant, your tip on stripping insulation from one long wire is brilliant, I used a thicker wire as for sure I'd cut through wire in the mid strip!

I can't take all the credit for that method but thanks
They look great!
And next time you'll know you don't need heavy wire...

[Keryn O'Shea]

Looking for ideas for a trim to cover the half holes in the array. Here's an attempt, before I go getting into more trimming & rounding they should blend in more. Can't decide if it looks tacky or ok, maybe either painted black or a brushed finish would be better... suggestions?

[Michael Ewald Hansen]

Looking for ideas for a trim to cover the half holes in the array. Here's an attempt, before I go getting into more trimming & rounding they should blend in more. Can't decide if it looks tacky or ok, maybe either painted black or a brushed finish would be better... suggestions?

Its funny how the cab looks mini with the large corners used - atleast in my eyes it does

I don't like the metal color on those covers, however the idea is nice and I think if you could do them in black plastic or metal it would look much better!

[Charles Jenkinson]

I haven't read properly, but have you used foam seal strip under the piezo array, to isolate for or mitigate vibration? If you’re only clamping (4 screws total) at the top and bottom of the array, (ignoring the ‘straightness’ and ‘stiffness’ of the aluminium angle, because in real terms it might not properly clamp the array down) there could be vibration anywhere along the length between the array, alu-angle and mounting rails. The alternative is no foam seal strip and screws through every hole so it’s well sat down along its length, IMO.

[Keryn O'Shea]

There will be insulation Charles, at this stage these are my personal cabs and experimenting with trim, but you can't ignore the strength of aluminium channel! The rear of the piezo frames melt into the duratex well, and with a strip of very soft weather strip should hold nicely.
Yes Michael, the large corners do look out of scale! Still looking for smaller ones locally. today I'll look for some 90deg channel less in your face, also thinking of cutting the inside face of the channel at the same angle as the horn, or maybe just round the corners?
Hey, how do you use the quote function for this forum? (such a nube, I hear you say!)

[Keryn O'Shea]

Something else found at the hardware, it says it's a bronze colour. A tiling friend is ordering another option now, as he reckons they have just what it needs...

[Michael Murphy]

To quote scroll down the page when replying to a post, highlight the text you want to post, just as if you were going to cut and paste it, when its highlighted hit quote in the upper right hand corner of that same dialogue box, voila

Hey, how do you use the quote function for this forum? (such a nube, I hear you say!)

You can hit preview to see if it works and ps im loving the aluminium look will go well with my v plate
https://www.dropbox.com/sc/yausawcp9o6yu0i/D4g9bndMqw