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HO scale LOCONET Digitrax DCC

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  • Member since
    September 2008
  • 216 posts
HO scale LOCONET Digitrax DCC
Posted by NILE on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 10:52 AM

I have a medium to large HO scale walk around layout that I would like to install some LOCONET on.  The Digitrax manual says I need to have a twisted RJ-12 cable to connect the command station to the LOCONET ports.  I cannot find RJ-12 cables anywhere.  Is this the coorect cable for the LOCONET and if so where do you find RJ-12 cables?

Moderator
  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Northeast OH
  • 17,249 posts
Posted by tstage on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 11:28 AM

Nile,

Google is your friend:

RJ12 cable

Home Depot and Lowes should have spools of it.

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: SE Minnesota
  • 6,847 posts
Posted by jrbernier on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 12:20 PM

Niles,

  
What you need is 6 conductor flat data/phone cable and RJ-12 connectors.  Pre-made phone cables usually only have 4 wires in them.  Some have 6, but the connectors are not applied correctly for DATA cables.  

  By the time you buy the parts and the 'crimper' - You might be better off buying LocoNet cables from Tonys Trains or Litchfield Station.  They will make up cables to any length you want.  You can also order standard length DATA cables from All Electronics.  Here are some web links:

http://www.tonystrains.com/products/dccaccess_wire.htm

http://www.litchfieldstation.com/xcart/search.php?mode=search&page=1

http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/category/129/Cables-Telephone/1.html

Jim

Modeling BNSF  and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: South Carolina
  • 1,719 posts
Posted by Train Modeler on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 12:39 PM

I buy my stuff from all electronics(in Jim's post) and make up my own.  Be sure and follow the manual--reverse the ends, don't make them like phone lines.   I have also used a female connector so that I can use a throttle with an "extension cord if you will" connected my my zephyr Xtra we use at Christmas time.

Richard

  • Member since
    April 2012
  • 164 posts
Posted by ONR FAN on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 4:49 PM

I'm in the middle of wiring my new layout.  I got my cable and RJ12 connectors at Home Depot and borrowed the crimping tool from a friend.  It is very simple to do.   

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