I once found a formula for calculating the amount of shrinkage in metal
due a temperature drop. I don't remember the exact numbers, but
basically 150' long strip of copper is a few inches shorter on a very
cold day compared to a very hot day. The shrinking is driven by a
nearly irresistible nuclear force. The cable should stretch a little
too so it's not like all of that travel happens at the ends, but even a
mm of tug with irresistible force behind it would unplug ethernet. It
might even be a bigger deal if the port is "finicky" as some people are
saying.
So yeah, everything everyone said already. Slack loop, secure cable,
etc.
------ Original Message ------
From: "Mathew Howard" <mhoward...@gmail.com>
To: "af" <af@afmug.com>
Sent: 1/2/2018 11:20:21 AM
Subject: Re: [AFMUG] AF5X cold weather ethernet problems
Yeah, you most likely don't need to replace the radio.
I think the recommended fix is to put a zip tie around the cable, just
inside the cover on the radio (so it keeps up pressure on the cable
directly into the ethernet port) - that has worked out very well for
me.
On Tue, Jan 2, 2018 at 10:05 AM, Darin Steffl <darin.ste...@mnwifi.com>
wrote:
It's probably the temperature playing with the metal connectors
changing the shape enough to go down.
There is a known problem with the ethernet connectors on AF5x being
finicky. Make sure all your cables have "UP" pressure so gravity or
other forces don't pull the cable or wiggle in the ethernet port. Take
extra care to secure the cable so it doesn't hang or blow in the wind.
Basically you should not be able to wiggle the cable much by hand when
you're done securing it with plenty of upward pressure.
Dielectric grease may also be a good thing to put on the connector
pins as well.
On Tue, Jan 2, 2018 at 10:02 AM, Kurt Fankhauser
<lists.wavel...@gmail.com> wrote:
Has anyone else seen AF5X radios that starting dropping ethernet in
cold weather? We have been having sub zero temps at night past week
and i have 2 towers that had an AF5X radio that the ethernet decided
to drop out. One tower cleared itself up on its own after 2 days,
another one just started this morning. Looks like i am going to have
to climb to replace a radio and its freaking -5 degrees out right
now.....
--
Darin Steffl
Minnesota WiFi
www.mnwifi.com
507-634-WiFi
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