drilling hole in post

[Carl Perkins]

I have a hard wire tally light system that I currently set up by running the cable from the front of the camera down to my monitor. I am thinking about trying to run the cable down inside my post along with the cable that is already there for power and video distribution. There is already a hole at the top of the post, but I would need to drill a small hole at the bottom of the post to get the cable and tally light out of the post to my monitor. Will this compromise the strength of my carbon post?

 

Carl Perkins

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

Will this compromise the strength of my carbon post?

 

 

Yes, I wouldn't do it. Where do the wires come out at the bottom? Go from there

[Carl Perkins]

Yes, I wouldn't do it. Where do the wires come out at the bottom? Go from there

 

Thanks for your advice Eric.

I have the 8 pin lemo connector for the down the post cable and the connector fits directly into the d box inside the post. My post connects to the d box with a threaded collar.

I guess I am stuck with the hassle of the external tally cable if it will wreck my post to make a small hole in it.

 

Carl

[Alec Jarnagin SOC]

Carl,

 

"I guess I am stuck with the hassle of the external tally cable if it will wreck my post to make a small hole in it. "

 

I'm amazed at the number of folk who freak about this (witness the wireless tally). Fact is, we lived with external wires running in front of the post for years. Not as pretty, but in the end doesn't kill you. Don't destroy your rig to keep it beautiful. Run the cables, enjoy, get better, and make a living.

[Carl Perkins]

I am on a mission to figure out how to get my tally cable in my centerpost. Now I am thinking about making a spacer with a hole in it to go between my centerpost and the d box. I just make the spacer the same exact foot print as the 4 bolt hardware that holds the centerpost to the d box. This is basically the same way the 8 pin cable enters the centerpost at the top, just under the topstage.

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

I am on a mission to figure out how to get my tally cable in my centerpost. Now I am thinking about making a spacer with a hole in it to go between my centerpost and the d box. I just make the spacer the same exact foot print as the 4 bolt hardware that holds the centerpost to the d box. This is basically the same way the 8 pin cable enters the centerpost at the top, just under the topstage.

 

 

Just change the post cable to add a few conductors and go with a different Lemo. Problem solved. also look to see if you have ONE spare conductor, that's all you would need

[Carl Perkins]

Just change the post cable to add a few conductors and go with a different Lemo. Problem solved. also look to see if you have ONE spare conductor, that's all you would need

 

Thanks for more of your knowledge and advice Eric, I will check into that option.

[Bruce Alan Greene]

I have a hard wire tally light system that I currently set up by running the cable from the front of the camera down to my monitor. I am thinking about trying to run the cable down inside my post along with the cable that is already there for power and video distribution. There is already a hole at the top of the post, but I would need to drill a small hole at the bottom of the post to get the cable and tally light out of the post to my monitor. Will this compromise the strength of my carbon post?

 

Carl Perkins

 

 

Carl,

 

I drilled a hole in my carbon post to insert an aircraft pin to safety the camera platform in low-mode. (my donkey box is just clamped on my pole)

 

In no time at all the weight of the camera pulled the pin through the carbon fiber and turned the hole into a slot. This was discovered when the Panaflex hit the ground, oops.

 

I still use the same design for the pin, but I've added an aluminium sleave/stent epoxied inside the pole and drilled through the aluminium and this has never failed, and the hole does not spread.

 

I can't promise you'll be ok, but drilling the hole might just work out as long as the wire doesn't rub on the carbon fiber. If it does, the hole will get bigger and bigger over time and you might need a stent.

 

-bruce greene

[Brant S. Fagan SOC]

Gents--

 

For those of you who must drill carbon fiber posts, just remeber what surgeons do: you must cotterize the wound and prevent "bleeding."

 

Try using a carbon fiber epoxy to seal the cut through the post to prevent fraying of the fibers right at the hole edges.

 

Finding that epoxy may be difficult for some, but try Aircraft Spruce and Specialty's web site and check out their selection of epoxy choices and other composite materials! They have been very helpful and have stores on both coasts as well.

 

Best,

 

Brant

[Brad Hruboska]

You know what I did to avoid this problem was to have a 5/8" thick aluminum spacer made up for the top of the post and had a slot milled into that to allow the cables to exit. i then just used longer bolts to attach my topstage ( this was on my really frankenized model 3) . I may still have that spacer around if anyone needs it.

Brad.

[Carl Perkins]

You know what I did to avoid this problem was to have a 5/8" thick aluminum spacer made up for the top of the post and had a slot milled into that to allow the cables to exit. i then just used longer bolts to attach my topstage ( this was on my really frankenized model 3) . I may still have that spacer around if anyone needs it.

Brad.

 

 

I think that is what I am going to try, just at the bottom end of my centerpost. I am thinking of making the spacer with a slight flare out at the bottom. So the bottom surface will be slightly wider than the top for added stability.