Outdoor Sonos AMPs

[sob]

I'm adding 2 additional SONOS AMPs to my network this summer. The first for a newly constructed fire pit and the second for the recently buried trampoline (rock speakers). In planning out the wiring run, to make it from my existing rack in the basement and down another 100 feet to the back of the yard, I'm having to go with really large gauge wire, just to hit 100 feet (12 gauge). I'm wondering instead should I mount the AMPs in the garage or even better yet (still requires a 100 foot run), mount them in the back of the yard inside two enclosures:
https://altelix.com/altelix-enclosure-for-sonos-amp-apple-tv-amazon-echo-link-amp/

Also thinking of something like this, next to the posts around the fire pit for the Lutron Outdoor Plugs. Then painted black pipe up to the string lights.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003O85DHA?ref=emc_s_m_5_i_atc&th=1

Proposed Solution

1. Create a decorative board in the back of the yard, behind a bush of some kind, with two enclosures on it: https://altelix.com/altelix-enclosure-for-sonos-amp-apple-tv-amazon-echo-link-amp/
2. Run 2 x CAT 6 from the garage switch (pre-existing) to the two enclosures
3. Speaker wire run will be less than 20 feet in both cases.
4. Enclosure "should" protect the SONOS AMPs from damp.

Alternatives considered

1. Mount a new rack on the wall in the garage
2. Install a new switch and use existing Penn Elcom Sonos AMP shelves for the two amps
3. squeeze two 12/4 cables into a conduit and run to the back of the yard. Distance would be roughly 75 feet
4. I'm running conduit for the speaker wires on top of the 110v conduit for the lighting (Lutron Cassetta outdoor switches)

Additional Thoughts

• Enclosures are expensive and not NEMA rated, but have a gasket and a fan
• If enclosure fails it takes an expensive AMP with it
• Garage has a heater and is insulated but may still be humid in the summer
• Running 2 CAT 6 would be smaller than 2 12/4 runs

@jon-dutch?

[jon-dutch]

Ok, I think the idea to put a remote box in the backyard makes the most sense. Cat6 can easily handle that distance. You'll also need to run a 110vac connection, too, so keep that in mind. For both the Cat and AC lines I would consider using direct-burial versions of both. For the AC you could even get away running aluminum structural wire to save some money (as long as it is rated for direct burial.

On the enclosure side of things I'd consider finding a single larger unit, ideally one that runs redundant fans and possibly a filter, too. I don't have any suggestions off hand, but there must be something.

Consider also either running 3x Cat cables, for future growth, or running 2x and using a switch in the box for future upgrades/expansion (outdoor projector setup, increased speaker counts, additional landscape lighting, etc...). You can also then keep one of the Cat cables off to the side as a backup option should you experience a fault with the other.

[sob]

Ok I've sketched this up. I will be running 110v and CAT6 in two separate conduits, on top of each other in the trench. I don't like non-conduit wires where I forget they're there and drive a shovel through. I'll search for a larger enclosure but may just have to do 2 enclosures. I almost like the idea of 3 - a networking one with a fanless UI switch, and one for each AMP. Wired in parallel with 110.

I like this much better than trying to shove that much speaker wire, at that distance, plus I can still put a much smaller rack in the garage that just has an uplink to this switch.