Help with connecting Digitrax UP5 LocoNet Universal Interconnect Panel to Zephyr.

[Dan The Man]

Hello my question is how do I connect my Digitrax UP5 LocoNet Universal Interconnect Panel, to my Zephyr.  I have the UP5 hocked up to track track, and the track power light comes on.  I have done a search on the web and on the forms, and have not come up with what I'm looking for.

Daniel.

[Phoebe Vet]

Run a 6 conductor data cable from the RJ12  telephone style jack on the Zephyr to a similar jack on the BACK of the UP5.  No track or external power is required.

For most Loconet connections, 6 conductor telephone cord will work, but for anything that requires phase matching, like boosters or detection boards, you need data cables.  They look just like the telephone cables but are wired slightly different.

[Phoebe Vet]

To tell a data cable from a telephone cable, hold the two plugs side by side with the little locking tab facing up on both of them.  Look at the color of the wires.  In a telephone cable, they will be opposite, in a data cable they will be identical.

You can buy data cables from electronic suppliers like

 http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/MT-267/7-MOD-MOD-CABLE-FOR-DATA/1.html

http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/MT-369/25-PHONE-CORD-W/6PIN-RJ-12-MOD-PLUGS/1.html      

http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/MT-369/25-PHONE-CORD-W/6PIN-RJ-12-MOD-PLUGS/1.html    

or you can buy a crimping tool and cut off one end of a telephone cable and convert it with these:

Local home stores will probably only have telephone cables. 

[Dan The Man]

Thanks Dave for the help, looks like I'll have to order the RJ12 cable off of amazon. 

Daniel.

[Phoebe Vet]

You're welcome.  Remember, DATA cables.  If you get 6 conductor telephone cables, they will work fine, but someday when you are installing a booster, or something you will go crazy trying to remember which ones need to be replaced.  It's easier to just use the right ones now.

[rrinker]

 Here's another source, Monoprice. I haven't purchased any Loconet type cables from them, I have a box of phone cables from when we converted from an analog phone system to ip phones. Plus I have a crimper and ends to make my own. But I have picked up all my audio and video cables from them.

 http://www.monoprice.com/Category?fq=SubCategoryId:1022202&fq=MultiCategoryId:10222&fq=MultiMainCategoryId:102&c_id=102&searchtype=subcategoryid

Bottom 3 items on the page are the data format cables for Loconet. In 7, 14, and 25 foot lengths.

              --Randy

[Dan The Man]

Thanks Randy.

Daniel