Any tips on how.....

Post by **Peetee** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 5:26 pm

...To feed a cable through the screen channel? I have fitted a courtesy light into the windscreen mounted mirror on my convertible and I need the wires to pass into the centre top of the screen surround then sideways and down the A-post exiting at it's base at the side of the dash. I mean, I assume this a continuous route with no obstructions?? The courtesy light on saloons goes that way after all.
Somebody out there must have done something similar. I thought maybe having a fishing weight on a long string and push it in with a straightened wire coat hanger before it drops of it's own volition down the a-post ...maybe....

Post by **kennatt** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 5:31 pm

ferrett on a string

Post by **picky** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 5:47 pm

I would attach the end of the electrical wires to a piece of very stiff but flexible wire/cable, the type used for gardening etc and try poking it through until the wires appears below the dash. Then remove the stiff wire. Sounds like a very fiddly job, good luck

Post by **bigginger** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 5:55 pm

Coathanger/wire held on to it with tape has worked for me

Post by **paulk** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 6:46 pm

I know a 'cheap local engineer' with a Flexible yet stiff plastic cord for feeding wires though recalcitrent trunking. Its got a loop on the end
for tying off the wire and is about 25' long so loads for the job.

If you want I'll bring it thurs night

Post by **paulhumphries** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 7:08 pm

I have a length of traditional net curtain wire for such jobs.
You know the stuff - white plastic outer over tight spring like inner.
Cheap and sold by the metre at Wilkinsons, market stalls, curtain shops etc.
VERY flexible yet stiff enough to push.
I have a small dome head self tapper at the end to provide a smoother surface as just cut square catches on things when being threaded through.

Paul Humphries

Post by **Peetee** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 9:18 pm

have a length of traditional net curtain wire for such jobs.
You know the stuff

Yes! that's what was ticking over in the back of my head!
Bicycle brake cable (of which I have refitted hundreds) would do too.

I know a 'cheap local engineer' with a Flexible yet stiff plastic cord for feeding wires though recalcitrent trunking

Bl**dy good bloke him. What's his name again??
ERm yes please, i'll have a go with that too.

Post by **Matt** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 9:25 pm

err got your brain in a muddle there?

Post by **Peetee** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 6:06 am

Of course! Remember who you're talking to!

Post by **MoggyTech** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 2:35 pm

kennatt wrote:ferrett on a string

Or Gerbil/Hamster/Richard Hammond

Post by **picky** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 3:07 pm

find two magnets attach one to the end of the wires, and drag the other one along the outside of the screen surround.

Any more pointlessly elaborate ways of doing it??? We must be able to think of some more

Post by **Spag** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 3:39 pm

Complicated... Hmmm...

OK, how about blocking all the other holes in the screen surround / A pillar, leaving just an entry & exit hole for the cable.

Then attach a suitably sized plug of cotton wool, or rag to the end of some fishing line, and poke the plug into the entry hole.

Then poke a bit of rubber hose into the entry hole, and connect it to your compressor.

This will simply blow the plug through the pillar and out of the exit hole.

The fishing line will then make an ideal draw to pull your cable through.

Post by **Peetee** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 5:20 pm

Nanobots?

Post by **paulk** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 6:34 pm

Tie a small cork to the end of the wire at the base of the windscreen channel.

Next wrap entire car in cling film to a depth of 2mm.

Then fill car with water. As the water rises up the channel the cork will float up easily bringing wire with it.

Post by **Peetee** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 9:12 pm

As the water rises up the channel the cork will float up easily bringing wire with it

You forgot to mention putting the car on a roller first then turing it on it's side when the cork reaches the top so the cork can float 'sideways' too.

What I did.
I flew up to space with three other people, got caught in a radiation storm. I made sure my mates turn invisible, hot and flamey and big and scaley respectively. That only left me to simply tape the wire to my finger and stretched it five feet across and down the channel.
No problem, Job done.

Post by **RogerRust** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 6:39 am

With the roof lining out its easy!!

I've got this kind of feeling
If we remove the ceiling
with a rope or two
we could drop the blighter through,

Right said fred
with his crowbar
Gave a mightly blow...............

Post by **Peetee** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 2:10 pm

Sorry Roger, you won't be rewarded with a cup of tea cos Alberts a convertible.

Silly comments aside (mine included) I think I have enough info to give it a go now. I've just got to pluck up enough courage to drill that hole

- At least it'll be hidden under the mirror base!

Post by **Orkney** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 5:41 pm

[quote="RogerRust"]With the roof lining out its easy!!

I've got this kind of feeling
If we remove the ceiling
/quote]

Sounds like Lionel Bloody Rich Tea to me

Post by **RogerRust** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 7:56 am

Seriously
How about an LED lamp and a battery?

Post by **dunketh** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 1:03 pm

Or park up under street lights when the need arises?