I want to use some line splitters (1 to 5) to expand the available plugs for my Loconet. My concern is how they treat connections. If I plug one into my control station, will the 5 output plugs mimic the Loconet plugs on the command station. All my Loconet cables are wired per Digitrax guidance (reversed as in a data cable). Will the splitter device mess up the data sync in a loconet? If so, can I replace the male end of the splitter cable by flipping the connector?
Paul D
N scale Washita and Santa Fe RailroadSouthern Oklahoma circa late 70's
MOST splitters like that do reverse the connections, because they are made for phones that do not care. Back in the day, Loy's Toys sold one that didn;t reverse. I think RR CirKits has one today.
The reversal of the Railsync only affect downstream boosters and block detectors (and that maybe only if using transponding). Throttles and other accessories that read Loconet like the DS64 and SE8C don't care.
To flip it back, all you need is a phone-wired cable, which does it's own flip - so 2 flips in a row = back the way it is supposed to be. But clearly mark all such cables because if you use a flipped cable where one isn't needed, you then introduce a flip. Depending on how the adapter is wired, and if you cna open op the case of it, it may be possible to cut and splice the wires back together in an unflipped position - it's only the 2 outer wires that matter. The center pins are Loconet, and every throttle ties them together. The next pair going out is the ground - always tied together. The outermost pair is the Railsync, and that's the one where proper polarity matters.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I don't want to tear the spliter apart to find out. I think I can do a continuity check on one of the phase wires and determine what kind of fliping is going on. If not right, I can fix it with a new connector (flipped) I do not want to introduce non loconet cables into the area. Sooner or later, it would sneak into the wrong spot.
As soon as you flip the plug on one end of the cable, you've made a phone (no-Loconet) cable.