RJ-45 jacks have connection issues

[Nasgul]

I have two CTB16PC controllers, prebuilt, in NEMA enclosures in the yard. On both of them the center port (leftmost RJ-45 port) is either squirrely or doesn't work at all, depending on the day. Is it possible to insert a network switch downstream from the RS-485 adapter so I don't have to daisy-chain? That way I could just use the other port on each controller. (I can have one bad port right now and place that controller at the end of the chain, but not two).

[TJ Hvasta]

No, would be nice but the protocol is different.. You'll most likely have to pull the cover off, lift up the board and check the actual Cat5 sockets.. it wouldnt be the first time they werent soldered properly or come loose from the foil (um, dont ask how I know this).. ok, you dragged it outta me... two boards I built I um.. 'forgot.. to actually solder the pins.. yes they were snapped into the holes, but seeing them against the board made me forget to actually hit them with solder.. trust me.. thats gonna be your fix..

[TJ Hvasta]

grrrrrr!! duped..

"and the One (solder pencil) will Bind Them All".. jus' a play on yer ID

[JBullard]

Nasgul wrote:

I have two CTB16PC controllers, prebuilt, in NEMA enclosures in the yard. On both of them the center port (leftmost RJ-45 port) is either squirrely or doesn't work at all, depending on the day. Is it possible to insert a network switch downstream from the RS-485 adapter so I don't have to daisy-chain? That way I could just use the other port on each controller. (I can have one bad port right now and place that controller at the end of the chain, but not two).

You can use the LOR Network repeater for what you are asking. It allows one cable on with 2 cables out (one to each controller)

http://store.lightorama.com/rsnere.html

[medman2000]

And a reminder, you can use the RJ11 ports (phone line) to bypass the RJ45 ports that aren't connecting right. I ended up with 9 controllers with loose RJ45, using the RJ11 allowed me to get them back into the show - working fine.

At least as it was described to me, and deployed in my yard, you need to go FROM the working RJ45 port with phone line, TO the RJ11 port on the next controller. RJ45 with phone line FROM that one (using the one working port) and TO RJ11 on the next controller. After that, when you hit the controllers with 2 working RJ45, you can go FROM RJ45 TO RJ45 with cat5 cable again if you want.

good luck!

[PMC]

One thing to keep in mind too (for the new people) LOR is on a 485 network, standard networks are 232, so 5 port switches that are sold in your local store will not work.

there is a website I use for 485 related products

http://rs485.com

I highly recommend using LOR's USB-485 network adapters, I just purchased 2 more a few months ago.

[Nasgul]

Thanks everyone! I bought an extra RS485-USB port to cover me, but as a backup for our lights-up party now I know I can get a phone line and lay it out for a quick fix on the end box if part of the show should go dark while everyone's standing there. :-)

[jldavis1969]

Make sure that the RJ11 phone cord is 4 wire or else it will not let the signal do its work.

[Glyn Holland]

Last year a couple of days into my show someone triped over the cable from controller 1 going to controller 2. So 2 - 15 were not working. I just used a
T adapter 8P8C - 1M / 2F in the good socket till after Christmas when I had time to fix it. It serverd as an input and output and had no problem the rest of the season.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=105&cp_id=10513&cs_id=1051304&p_id=7295&seq=1&format=2

I have also used this next one with a short RJ45 cable hanging out of the case then the spliter with a cable coming in and the cable going out from the splitter. Don't even have to open the case then.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=105&cp_id=10513&cs_id=1051304&p_id=7291&seq=1&format=2

I actually have 2 or 3 of my 18 controllers this year running like this. I have to fix them in the off season.

[R Weiland]

PMC wrote:

One thing to keep in mind too (for the new people) LOR is on a 485 network, standard networks are 232, so 5 port switches that are sold in your local store will not work.

there is a website I use for 485 related products

http://rs485.com

I highly recommend using LOR's USB-485 network adapters, I just purchased 2 more a few months ago.

PMS;
a slight correction, standard networks that would use a 5 port switch as you mentioned are not 232 but Ethernet. And both are not compatible with the LOR RS-485 protocol, different signaling and voltage levels. I also bought a couple extra LOR USB-485 adapters just in case.

[fxdwg]

Glyn Holland wrote:

Last year a couple of days into my show someone triped over the cable from controller 1 going to controller 2. So 2 - 15 were not working. I just used a
T adapter 8P8C - 1M / 2F in the good socket till after Christmas when I had time to fix it. It serverd as an input and output and had no problem the rest of the season.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=105&cp_id=10513&cs_id=1051304&p_id=7295&seq=1&format=2

I have also used this next one with a short RJ45 cable hanging out of the case then the spliter with a cable coming in and the cable going out from the splitter. Don't even have to open the case then.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=105&cp_id=10513&cs_id=1051304&p_id=7291&seq=1&format=2

I actually have 2 or 3 of my 18 controllers this year running like this. I have to fix them in the off season.

fyi... the second part number for the 1female/2female is incorrect, the one shown above is dual 6 pin females to single 6 pin female. you actually need the 8 pin variety... this one... http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=105&cp_id=10513&cs_id=1051304&p_id=7294&seq=1&format=2

i ordered 20 of each... no blood no foul, i will keep for something else then order the correct 8 pin ones that allow rj45's to be used...

-troy