To wire my rear surround speakers in my living room, i'm going to be running wire through the outside of my home, around the my south wall and back into my house. Outside I will tuck the wire undernearth the hardiplank (http://www.113calhoun.org/images/TOUR5.jpg) siding. They will still be exposed to the elements and I'm concerned that they will easily break down. Is there some special type of wire for this purpose? Or can I use "CL2 Rated 2-Conductor Loud Speaker Cable" (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023903&p_id=2823&seq=1&format=2)? The image on monoprice shows that it has an outer sleeve. I'm thinking this will be sufficient protection for the 2 internal wires. What do you guys think or suggest? Thanks.

http://images.monoprice.com/productlargeimages/28231.jpg

Christopher

Barring any damage to it, you should be fine.

If you don't feel comfortable with those, pick up some low voltage wiring that they use for outdoor lights that can be buried in the ground. Why do you have to run the wire outside?

Thanks sivadselim...

If you don't feel comfortable with those, pick up some low voltage wiring that they use for outdoor lights that can be buried in the ground.

There's no need to bury them because the main floor is too high.

http://www.turbozilla.com/forumimages/avsforum/OutsideWireDiagram2.jpg

Why do you have to run the wire outside?

It's the easiest/fastest method with a clean look( no exposed wiring ). Running it behing base board would be the 2nd easiest/clean looking. I have a fireplace I would have to get around, but I thought of a few options. Running it over ceiling or underfloor (finished basement ceiling) would require most work. This would require cutting drywall etc... I figured I could get the same clean look running it outside. This is my first HT project ( if you can call it that ) in the my living room. I'll save the the hard work for my future basement HT.

http://www.turbozilla.com/forumimages/avsforum/OutsideWireDiagram.jpg

Thanks...

Any other ideas are welcomed! :D

Christopher

I suggested the low voltage wiring because it's designed to be essentially impervious to the elements. I don't know what the long term weather resistance is to the CL2 wire. As far as running it under the floor or through the ceiling, that depends on whether you can snake it easily enough. If you consider running it behind the baseboard, you might find that various 'flat' wires make for an easier job of it.

Thanks Chu....

I also found these on eBay. They are CL3 for outdoor/indoor use and "Direct burial and sunlight resistant". The seller has 100% rating. Check out the specs:

Description

Indoor/Outdoor: used for in-wall audio applications, outdoor audio, standard audio runs, and home theatre applications
Burial Grade and UV Resistant
16 Gauge, 2 Conductor, 65 Strand, 250 Feet
Color: White (not Orange as shown in picture)
High grade PVC dielectric
Premium Sheer Sound brand
Packaged in pull box
Made in the U.S.A.

Special Features

Direct burial and sunlight resistant
UL Ratings: CL3
A world of difference over standard 26 strand speaker wire
Ideal for state of the art home theatre and audio systems

Quality Assurance

UL Certified.
Manufacturer is ISO9002 certified.


http://i17.ebayimg.com/08/i/000/cb/c3/43d7_1.JPG

Search eBay for "Speaker Wire Outdoor White". <-- Leave the quotes out of course.

Is a CL3 rating higher/better standard than CL2? Or vice versa?

Christopher

I don't know what the specific differences are between Class 2 and Class 3. Probably the best bet would be to contact an actual manufacturer who could detail the fine points. Audioholics (http://www.audioholics.com/education/cables/understanding-in-wall-speaker-video-and-audio-cable-ratings) and Extron (http://www.extron.com/company/article.aspx?id=decipheringapp) had articles on cables that might make for a quick read while sitting on the throne.

BTW, how long've you had that siding? Assuming it was a reside job, how did it compare in total price to vinyl?

Thanks, I will check out those articles.

The house was built in 2002 with the siding. I purchased in 2005 so I have no idea about the price comparisons with vinyl siding. Sorry...

I also found these on eBay

I ran that speaker wire throughout my house (in-wall/in-ceiling) but not outside. I had the orange jacket 14 gauge stuff and it was AWESOME!!

Probably doesnt mean a ton to you since I didnt run it outside.

I consider myself to be a "Retro Ninja" I dont mean that I am a ju-jitsu master from the 70's. But I do mean that I have done hundreds of low voltage retrofits. And I can get a wire anywhere! In order to make this claim though, I have had to do exactly what you are talking about and run wires outside, underneath the siding. I have done this many times and trust me when I say "You will be fine". Many times I have found myself at the mercy of a homeowner who would not let me pull molding or cut sheet rock. And I absolutely hate "carpet runs". I have also ran into many customers who would only use the cheapest cable possible, and I had to run it outside under the siding. Guess what 6-7 yrs later....its still OK. So have at it.

And as always this is just my $.02

Thanks, I will check out those articles.

The house was built in 2002 with the siding. I purchased in 2005 so I have no idea about the price comparisons with vinyl siding. Sorry...

Be careful when you work with the siding. I put some on my house and it's actually somewhat brittle in certain regards - expecially if you are working near the edge of the piece.

I consider myself to be a "Retro Ninja" I dont mean that I am a ju-jitsu master from the 70's. But I do mean that I have done hundreds of low voltage retrofits. And I can get a wire anywhere! In order to make this claim though, I have had to do exactly what you are talking about and run wires outside, underneath the siding. I have done this many times and trust me when I say "You will be fine". Many times I have found myself at the mercy of a homeowner who would not let me pull molding or cut sheet rock. And I absolutely hate "carpet runs". I have also ran into many customers who would only use the cheapest cable possible, and I had to run it outside under the siding. Guess what 6-7 yrs later....its still OK. So have at it.

And as always this is just my $.02

Under the siding is one thing; exposed is something else.

Under the siding is one thing; exposed is something else.

I agree 110% Just to reiterate though, when I said it would be OK, I meant to go under the siding. (Not exposed and not buried)

Good luck with the masonite siding, it is very brittle and sometimes a PITA to work with. I much prefer vinyl to work with. (although I do prefer the look of hard board much better)

Its probably late as far as suggestions go, but, if your looking for a bit of cable that can take anything from fork lifts running over it, oil being spilled on it, or rain....

I would look into SO cord, granted it might be expensive, but I love it for speaker cable....(Granted I get it free, or at the very least at a very discounted price)

Isotec is a US manufacturer and I for one would willingly pay a bit more to be assured that the UL and NEMA rating claims are valid.

Moreover, I just came across something really unpleasant about some Chinese sourced wire.

I live in California and there are state requirements to disclose the presence of hazardous substances to the consumer; a Prop 65 warning. Some are silly like the signs on gasoline pumps, but the standard is tougher than the federal rules.

My wife picked up an extension cord sold by a Sears owned company and it had a very tiny Prop 65 warning. It warned that the product contained lead and that users should wash their hands after handling. I went down to the store and some of the cords had it and many of the Christmas lights had it and (drumbeat) one of the you never heard of the brand bulk cable rolls had it.

So it not just the kids toys, boys. If the insulation can poison the tiny tots should we wonder if any of the other specs are good?

That said wash you hands and know that in a dry area out of the sun most wire will last a very long time.