Quick Ques... is Digitrax Loconet cable same as Cat6 network cable?

[Anonymous]

I need to make an extension for my new Digitrax throttle and interface.

Thanks for any info.

[Edit] No, I guess not.  I see Cat6 doesn't necessarily mean 6 conductor.  What I need is six conductor network cable with RJ12 connectors wired "reversed" which really means pin 1 wired to pin 1 and not reversed really....at least so it says on the Digitrax site.

Trouble is, I don't have a Digitrax dealer nearby.  I will probably have to make my own cable.  I suppose I could rewire the cable to get the pins right if necessary...I did it for my computer reversed cable and it still works.

But anyone know of an electronics shop network cable that will work...and what is it called?

 

[Stevert]

Cisco,

  All you need is 6-conductor flat phone cord.  Go to your local hardware or home improvement store and buy a pre-made 6-conductor phone cord, some 6-position RJ11 plugs, and a cheap crimper.

  Then, cut one of the plugs off, or cut the cord to length if it's too long, and crimp on a new plug in the correct orientation.  Be sure, especially if using a cheap crimper, that the new plug is on firmly and making good connections on all six conductors.

  And for that correct orientation:  If you lay the cable flat, with no twists, the locking tab on one of the plugs should be facing UP, and the tab on the other plug should be facing DOWN.

  Then, check it with your LT1 to be sure it's good, and install it on your layout.

  It's really that easy!

[Anonymous]

Thanks.  I was slowly getting to that point of understanding and you have finalized it.

[rrinker]

 I usewd to get cables at WalMart - after I carefully looked and found that the ones they had indeed had all 6 wires in them. As-is, they are wired 'backwards' for phone use, hoever unless you are adding in a second booster, or using a BDL168 block detector with transponding, it doesn't really matter. Best not to use phone cords though because some day you may add a second booster and then wonder why the rail outputs are backwards, forgetting that way back when you used a regular phone cord as one of your Loconet cables.

 I used to get the 50' cords at WalMart and then cut to length and crimp new ends on in the proper orientation - I likened it to getting wire with 2 'free' ends. Also, just a few messages below I posted a link for the proper Loconet cables at Monoprice - under a buck each. I haven't purchased any of these, I have a good metal crimper and just make my own - but I have ordered other cables like Ethernet patch cables and HDMI cables for my TV gear from Monoprice and they are a good outfit to deal with.

                               --Randy