Low Voltage

Don't have any pictures, but here is an update of what happened this week so far.

The security system was a PAIN in the arse.  Why, because every sensor (47 of them) needed to be run into nearly impossible recessed windows, that are all encased in foam and concrete.  Most of them I had to drill from the ICF window buck out the top of the top plate, then snake the sensors and wire back behind the window frame.  I used foam peanuts in some cases to hold the wires back there, but I am worried the drywall and trim guys will hit a wire...  So, the security system took the better part of 3 days, and I thought I could bang in out in 1 day.  Oh, the iron door was a special pain in the arse.  Turns out you can't use a normal sensor because the steel of the door interferes with the magnet, so I had to bore a 3/4 inch hole in the iron door and jamb, then use a 6 foot bit to drill through wood and foam to get over the top of the entryway groin ceiling, then crawl out there in the rafters (about 120 degrees and full of mud dobbers, hornets, and wasps, and about 16 inches tall) and pull all the wire up.  While I was there, I ran the wires to the lighting panel, security system, intercom (inside and out).  Secured everything with staples, and routed it all where it needed to go. 

I think you get the picture of why this wasn't fun. 

Oh, the sensor for the iron door is bigger so they can have a strong magnet in the center that isn't surrounded by metal so the thing will work.  I checked it when we got done with my ohm meter and it worked perfectly, but I was sweating it a bit....  literally.

Nothing really new for me to underestimate the amount of time or work something will take...

So, tonight my wife got a babysitter and she came out and helped me with the lighting control wires.  I have a map of each keypad, which panel it connects to, how many Cat5e wires to run, what color, how many buttons, and even which switch addresses will be used.  She helped me run the first few, but I stayed out there late (as usual) and finished off all the wires for panel number 1.  But, the wires aren't terminated on either end, so I have to route all the wires correctly to each switch panel still.

The good news is that this went MUCH faster than the security system.  So, as long as I can find a good place for routing the wires, hopefully I can bang the rest of panel 2 and 3 out tomorrow...  Probably the majority of the intercom stations too, and may even get to some camera wires...  Maybe I am reaching there...

OH, also, the geo guys came out, covered up the trenches, fixed the leak, welded everything back together, and they are completely done.  Without saying names, these guys were absolutely fantastically nice, and their attitude is that they wouldn't do anything for you unless they would want it that way for themselves.  I was sad to see them go...

OK, must sleep more than the 3 hours I got last night....  work 18, sleep 3, Work 21, sleep 5...  hmmmm..

goodnight...