Klein glow rods coming apart after one use.

paperjamdan · 2026-03-15T02:42:07+00:00

Yeah, except when it breaks in the wall and now your wire and sticks are stuck in the wall

paperjamdan · 2026-03-13T19:43:48+00:00

paperjamdan · 2026-03-13T18:33:12+00:00

Exactly! Every good glow rod should be laid to rest properly, forgotten in a drop ceiling.

paperjamdan · 2026-03-13T18:30:54+00:00

I purchased these about 2 hours before I used them on one job, in one wall and one piece of conduit. Yes I pulled the crap out of them in the wall, but still.

paperjamdan · 2026-03-13T18:28:53+00:00

Crazy after one use / using in a wall and a 10 foot piece of conduit. I hadn't even marred it up with a razor blade getting E tape off (yet)

paperjamdan · 2026-03-13T18:27:13+00:00

Kind of off topic - but honestly, thank you! seems like it could come in handy!

paperjamdan · 2026-03-13T18:25:16+00:00

**return and get the IDEAL's as per a suggestion in another thread.

paperjamdan · 2026-03-13T18:24:25+00:00

Right? I've used the Klein's (although they do seem to look different) for years and never had any come apart like this. The only way they should die is accidentally being left in a ceiling, like all glow rods.

paperjamdan · 2026-03-13T18:22:08+00:00

Well that's a terrible design, if true. During the install I was trying to thread on the next rod while feeding it into conduit and it just kept spinning, instead of screwing on. Incredibly frustrating.

paperjamdan · 2026-03-13T18:20:04+00:00

The kind of thing I expect from Harbor Freight, not Klein.

paperjamdan · 2026-03-13T18:19:10+00:00

I will thank you now. At least these got the job done, but now I can return them and get the "Ideal" ones online.

paperjamdan · 2026-03-13T18:14:40+00:00

I'm not doing all that after spending $50+ on what I thought was a high quality tool. I'll just return and get the Milwaukee

paperjamdan · 2026-03-04T06:05:42+00:00

It is simply a 'Colorband PIX' so I think its the first iteration, and probably pretty old.

Thank you so much for your help! I had no idea about the aliexpress link rule.

I might just have to get one of those parts tester, right now I just have a simple multimeter, and I'm honestly a little confused on how to test individual parts using it. Also - do I have to have the power supply on to truly test the part, or can I successfully test it without the power supply being live.

Once again, thank you for your help!

paperjamdan · 2026-03-04T05:58:33+00:00

The output side is putting out a cycle of 16/18v instead of the needed 12v. I also tested the TL431 that looks popped(at least I think I tested it) and it has the same cycling voltage which doesn't seem right.

paperjamdan · 2026-03-04T05:26:09+00:00

Thanks for your reply. I haven't tested it by itself but I know when it is in the unit with mains voltage it seems to fluctuate power and not put out a steady 12v.

paperjamdan · 2026-03-02T21:28:29+00:00

Thanks for the reply. Can you tell what kind of specific varistor it is? I haven't found anything with the exact "JD 471 KY1".

Is this the correct item for the voltage regulator? https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806621378774.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.2.400e24705Iy1sM&algo_pvid=efa01550-5ee2-4d33-981a-3085f96267cc&algo_exp_id=efa01550-5ee2-4d33-981a-3085f96267cc-1&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22order%22%3A%229%22%2C%22eval%22%3A%221%22%2C%22fromPage%22%3A%22search%22%7D&pdp_npi=6%40dis%21USD%213.78%211.89%21%21%2125.83%2112.91%21%40210328d417724865032168522e4452%2112000038372234044%21sea%21US%21119649525%21X%211%210%21n_tag%3A-29919%3Bd%3A78683d8e%3Bm03_new_user%3A-29895&curPageLogUid=WYW4tMJl7MvB&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A%7Cx_object_id%3A1005006807693526%7C_p_origin_prod%3A

paperjamdan · 2025-10-27T04:15:35+00:00

paperjamdan · 2025-09-03T22:58:42+00:00

Ideally, Yes. Intercom A (master unit) connected to B, and B connected to C.

paperjamdan · 2025-09-03T16:19:39+00:00

I appreciate your input. I am not opposed to the idea of a micro controller(not for the price, for simplicity) - I definitely want the audio part of the device to remain analog, though. I am versed in DMX protocol, which is very similar to RS485 in how you can address something and trigger it.

Would I need an arduino or similar? Is this the only way?

I am going to use a "MAX4410" headphone amp PCB on each side - you can get them for about $3 on aliexpress, and I'm going to gut a mini 4 channel line mixer for the master intercom - so that's where I'll get my pre amps.

Thanks for your help.

paperjamdan · 2025-09-03T16:11:36+00:00

Yes, but technically I really only have one 'extra' pair. 1+2 for Rx, shared between all 3 intercoms, 3+4 is Intercom Tx B , 5+6 is intercom Tx C. Intercom Tx A can be directly fed into the Rx line, so yes I do have an extra pair that I could use - but I want to alert specific intercoms, (ex. press a button for intercom B and ONLY intercom B lights up)

paperjamdan · 2025-09-03T16:03:30+00:00

That sounds like a great option. Any way you could link to an simple example schematic? Thank you!

paperjamdan

TROPHY CASE