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Topic:
Tracing buried speaker wire
This thread has 21 replies. Displaying posts 1 through 15.
Post 1 made on Sunday April 11, 2021 at 10:25
Krassyg
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Need to find buried speaker wire from some old rock speakers which were removed by previous owner. Tried my fluke 2024 but it gives me readings all over the place(both grounded an two wire method). Can you guys recommend something else that is designed for outdoor application? Quick google search brings this up but it is rather pricey and I don't know if it will works as well as it is shown:

[Link: armadatech.com]
Post 2 made on Sunday April 11, 2021 at 10:43
highfigh
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On April 11, 2021 at 10:25, Krassyg said...
Need to find buried speaker wire from some old rock speakers which were removed by previous owner. Tried my fluke 2024 but it gives me readings all over the place(both grounded an two wire method). Can you guys recommend something else that is designed for outdoor application? Quick google search brings this up but it is rather pricey and I don't know if it will works as well as it is shown:

[Link: armadatech.com]

You know that trick for making a tone generator much louder by disconnecting one lead and attaching it to a piece of metal (I have used a brace on my ladder)?

The problem is that a break in a wire that meets the earth can kill the signal. Are you trying to find a break, or make sure you won't dig into it? Do you have any way of knowing the depth of the wire and any idea of where they were routed as they exited the house?
My mechanic told me, "I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder."
Post 3 made on Sunday April 11, 2021 at 10:50
Archibald "Harry" Tuttle
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[Link: amazon.com]
I came into this game for the action, the excitement. Go anywhere, travel light, get in, get out, wherever there's AV trouble, a man alone.
OP | Post 4 made on Sunday April 11, 2021 at 15:17
Krassyg
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Trying to find and trace the wires so I can add a pair of rocks. I did connect the ground to another blank speaker lead making one giant dipole but then pretty much half the backyard lights up. I know where the wires come out but I wanted to see if there is another tool worth getting before I head back out(2 hours away).

Last edited by Krassyg on April 12, 2021 07:27.
Post 5 made on Monday April 12, 2021 at 07:27
Don Heany
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Look for invisible pet fence locators. Looked like you could build from scratch some sort of FM transmitter with cheap parts too.
Post 6 made on Monday April 12, 2021 at 07:29
Don Heany
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Better yet, just buy a collar and transmitter. Splice through the conductors and use the collar (bzzt!).
Post 7 made on Monday April 12, 2021 at 08:36
highfigh
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On 1618226985, Don Heany said...
Better yet, just buy a collar and transmitter. Splice through the conductors and use the collar (bzzt!).

If this kind of problem was more common in the '70s, I think Rodriguez would have drawn a cartoon about it.


My mechanic told me, "I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder."
Post 8 made on Monday April 12, 2021 at 20:12
Don Heany
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On April 12, 2021 at 08:36, highfigh said...
On April 12, 2021 at 07:29, Don Heany said...
If this kind of problem was more common in the '70s, I think Rodriguez would have drawn a cartoon about it.


Lol, that’s be better than Gary Larson
Post 9 made on Tuesday April 13, 2021 at 14:02
Ernie Gilman
Yes, That Ernie!
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I believe that cartoon is from Rodrigues's book "Total Harmonic Distortion," a collection of cartoons about audio (and some video). It's some funny stuff. It's also hard to find.

Back to the main topic,

When you searched, did you ground one wire and connect the toner to the other wire? Then reverse it?

You're likely to have better results with the ground as dry as possible. This is, of course, mostly out of our control.
A good answer is easier with a clear question giving the make and model of everything.
"The biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." -- G. “Bernie” Shaw
Post 10 made on Tuesday April 13, 2021 at 14:26
Ernie Gilman
Yes, That Ernie!
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A good answer is easier with a clear question giving the make and model of everything.
"The biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." -- G. “Bernie” Shaw
Post 11 made on Tuesday April 13, 2021 at 22:22
Fins
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On April 12, 2021 at 07:29, Don Heany said...
Better yet, just buy a collar and transmitter. Splice through the conductors and use the collar (bzzt!).

Wont work. The conductors are too close together and would cancel the signal.
Civil War reenactment is LARPing for people with no imagination.

Post 12 made on Tuesday April 13, 2021 at 22:24
Fins
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On April 12, 2021 at 07:27, Don Heany said...
Look for invisible pet fence locators. Looked like you could build from scratch some sort of FM transmitter with cheap parts too.

IF techs use these to locate the line and find breaks. There is an AM radio trick that you can use, but the wire has to connect in a loop. And you can’t do it with two conductors in the same wire. They are going to cancel each other out.

[Link: amazon.com]
Civil War reenactment is LARPing for people with no imagination.

Post 13 made on Tuesday April 13, 2021 at 23:43
buzz
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But, you could short the wires at the source or both ends to form a single conductor.

If the signal level is too high, using only one conductor might help. Likely not worth the effort, but you could attach an attenuator at the far end, attach +/- at the near end and adjust the cancellation using the far end attenuator.
Post 14 made on Wednesday April 14, 2021 at 06:37
Munson
Long Time Member
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January 2003
499
I am not familiar with the Armadatech units you linked but I know the Amprobe one works, but it will make the Armadatech one seem cheap.

I use a local electrician that has one and pay them to come out and locate. This will not only tell you where the wire runs, it will also tell you how deep it is.

[Link: amprobe.com]
Post 15 made on Wednesday April 14, 2021 at 06:47
Don Heany
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On April 13, 2021 at 22:22, Fins said...
Wont work. The conductors are too close together and would cancel the signal.

Pulling a rug runner across the yard would be an option, and save a few grand to boot.
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