A while ago there was a discussion on the groups.io Digitrax-users board concerning the correct RJ type connectors for Loconet. RJ11/12 6p6c connectors are readily available at just about any electronics store or home center such as Home Depot or Lowe’s. The problem with these is they are phone plugs. Admittedly, they will work when the proper connector is not available but they are a little difficult to cut the loconet cable sheathing to the proper length to provide proper support to the wires. Also, some connectors are a little loose in the Digitrax female connectors they are supposed to fit in. In addition, and most importantly, the body lengths of the two connectors are different. The body length allows for more cable support which decreases the possibility of shorting pins together if there is excessive strain put on the cable (which does happen).
Fig 1 shows the differences in length and form between the Loconet connector and the RJ11 phone connector. The Digitrax connector is on the left.
Fig 1 Difference in connector length and form
So,
how does one go about getting some of the proper Digitrax RJ12 connectors?
After talking with Digitrax, the author found the correct part number for them.
That part number is LNRJ12P20. They
are sold by (or ordered by) hobby stores. MSRP is $12.00 as of 2022-03-01 for a
bag of 20. The author purchased 2 bags of these connectors from Yankee Dabbler for $9.60 each. If you go to their
website and put the part number in their search box it will come right up at the top of the list.
No, the author is NOT going to rewire
all of the loconet cables in our modular club layout but if and when they break they will be fixed
properly.
If you have an idea for a blog post here, let me know. If I can comment on it, I will or I'll see if someone else can and post it
In 2022 I ordered a bag of these connectors from Yankee Dabbler. Inspecting the contents on arrival, I discovered that the connectors are exactly the same size as RJ connectors purchased from NE Cables, Monoprice, Mouser, etc - but the Digitrax part is much higher priced. No longer any benefit to using the Digitrax part (note, they do not publish any specifications for connector length, so no reason to criticize them on this).
ReplyDeleteInteresting, I'm not one to split hairs but I just checked Mouser and their part #601-32-5996UL 6P6C male connectors checked out at $0.59 per connector (per 10). YankeeDabbler's price checks out at $0.48 each (per 20). Hardly a much higher price and I never criticize unless it is deserved. It doesn't accomplish anything.
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