Running a cable through a chimney.

[Neon Jay]

Bad idea Tek, you might just end up releasing Carbon Monoxide into the house; it wouldn't be that difficult to actually run the cable next to it but outside the chimney (i.e. conduit in the corner OUTSIDE the flue) but I'd strongly suggest you avoid puncturing the lining altogether. Likewise, your house insurance (as djwellis suggests) and mortgage provider are highly likely to kick off about this one.

If you need me to help find another method I'll happily come round and take a look at that, should be relatively simple to run some cable conduit through the floors / ceilings without too much trouble.

 

[Gramaisc]

Ah, I presumed that he meant within the chimney space, but outside the flue tube. Whatever, it could well get warmer than 60 C...

 

[Neon Jay]

Makes sense, all depends on if they fitted a lining when the boiler was installed. Either way, it's usually a metal tube so the temp would probably get waaay too much.

 

[Gramaisc]

I did once consider using the liner/chimney space for an extractor outlet - but we chickened out and got the bathroom floor up in the end - again.

 

[Wolfenrook]

Slap an access point on your router for additional wireless capacity, and a bridge on the other floor running to your other machines.

I know this might sound odd, but my wife is hooked up to our Wireless N router via a cat6 cable and runs a gigabit lan connection, I get the exact same internet speeds with my pc hooked up to a 4 port wireless bridge that only has 100mbps ports but connects to the router on the 5Ghz channel 300mbps Wireless N.

The thing is 5Ghz has less interference but a shorter route, so the trick is to try to shorten how far the signal has to go. We have our Superhub set to modem mode on the landing, with a cat6 cable running down the stairs to our dual radio dual band router in the hall, which means I get a good 5Ghz channel connection in the living room.

It's simple enough to just run a cable from your main router to an access point, and then just connect the upstairs computers to this, or to avoid wires put the access point downstairs and a bridge upstairs, so you have something like

modem/router====access point -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --Bridge<computers

So that your upstairs computers, or vice versa, are wired to the bridge, and the bridge connected wireless to the access point on the other floor then cabled to the router. I know it sounds a bit complex, but it actually would use less cables, and should help you to get a better signal throughout, and stronger connections.

Oh, and please note that the more expensive modems tend to be able to handle more wireless connections at a time than cheaper ones, could be why you have problems having more than 3 connected at once, ASSUMING you have a cheaper router.

Ade

 

[tek-monkey]

Cheers for the advice Wolfenrook, but I'm going to cable it anyway I think. My wireless has been having issues for a while now, my brothers PC loses connection daily and mine is a tad flakey most of the time. I also want the server in the loft, and that does all the downloading so is hammering the connections. I just got hold of an 8 port gigabit switch to go in the loft too, so now I just need power and network up there!

I may have this sorted already, but am finding it hard to contact the company I ordered from so will ask here.
Where locally can I get 3m lengths of cable trunking? I need 2 lots that will hold 1xpower + 2xCat5 cables (I suspect 25mmx16mm will suffice) and another run to hold an extra 2xCat5 cables so probably a 38mmx16mm.

I had ordered from Aerial Shack, but despite them saying next day if ordered before 4pm it appears my order from yesterday is still pending

 

[Gramaisc]

You could go home via Lockwell's on Marston Road, just beyond Rowley Street, at the back of the school...

 

[tek-monkey]

I may well do that, also want a small consumer unit so was gonna give them a bell.

Tried calling that company I ordered from 4 times, every time I get answering machine for a few minutes then it disconnects me. I've emailed them to check whats happening but don't expect a quick response. Odd really, as they seem to get rather good reviews.

 

[Rikki]

CEF will stock all the trunking etc.

Didn't think you were supposed to run power cables and cat5 together because of interference.

 

[United57]

CEF will stock all the trunking etc.

Didn't think you were supposed to run power cables and cat5 together because of interference.

Correct Advice do not run the power down the same trunking especially with speed. If you have to get shielded Cat 5.

Also why not get hold of some Cat 6 cabling. Future proof.

Make sure all your connections are perfect. Minimal untwisting.

If you need some cabling kit crimps or punch PM me.

 

[tek-monkey]

I'd budgeted for shielded, hadn't really thought about cat6 but will look into it. Can't see me ever needing more than gigabit but I remember Bill Gates saying 640k of memory was enough too! My problem is places I can run to the loft are limited, it just so happens the ideal spot is next to the TV, which is where the router is. In this instance my power cable will be a little under 6m, with 2 LAN cables running its length and another 2 going halfway. A further two will be run around the loft so wont be near the power.

 

[United57]

The faster speeds the more likelihood you will get interference. I have seen fluorescent lights cause problems.

2 things will determine your need for speed Internet (1 GB is a bit off). If you are doing some heavy shifting from the server around the house then Cat 6 is an insurance. There should not be a massive increase in cost for it. Bend ratios are different than Cat5

 

[tek-monkey]

All wired up, says gigabit but getting sustained transfers of around 50MB/sec so only really getting half speed. Not that it matters to me, its WAY faster than wireless ever was. Takes about 8 seconds to copy an episode of Dexter to my desktop, but I'll stream most stuff anyway.

The sods I ordered from sent me unshielded cable, but I wanted the job done now. At least the trunking is in place and all the holes drilled, should I ever be bothered to replace it. Still gotta do my brothers room, but he can wait :p