christmasfrenzy Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 Im currently running 50 ft of cat5 outside but this year moved the receiver and computer into my room, so now i have to run another 50 foot of cable to get it into my room, is there gonna be a problem if i run cat5e instead of cat5 is there gonna be interference or a issue because not many stores have cat5 and i dont watn to buy a bulk package. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulXmas Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 I understand Cat5 is over kill so 5e will be ummm mega over kill?!?!There should be no issues with using the better quality cable.I use Cat5 now but would not think twice about using 5e or even Cat6. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-klb- Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 Absolutely no issues mixing and matching 5, 5e, and 6 for LOR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texascop Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 You aren't running ethernet to the controllers or power-over-ethernet. You are just providing copper wire to transmit a signal. Cat5 is cheaper than Cat5e or Cat 6 but they all work even if you mix them between controllers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max-Paul Posted October 19, 2010 Share Posted October 19, 2010 Not meant to muddy the waters, but I have to state. That even though Cat 5 and above are over kill. Its more than just copper wire. Note that the wires are twisted, twisted wire will help kill noise on the wire. Each of the better wires do two things better than the lower rated cable. 1) is that it is better suited for killing more noise. 2) designed to lower the possibility of what is called cross talk.Simple answer is the same as the above. Your GTG... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texascop Posted October 19, 2010 Share Posted October 19, 2010 Valid point but the discussion was mixing Cat5, Cat5E and Cat 6. All are twisted pairs. Ethernet uses two pair. I assume the LOR design uses a single pair but I don't have access to the technical specs. If that is true, crosstalk doesn't enter into the situation. Cat5E and Cat6 will handle gig connections but I don't thinkthat matters with LOR either. What is the RJ11 connection for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saveglamis Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 i've been running cat3, because it was what i had on hand. no problems yet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LightORamaDan Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 texascop wrote: Valid point but the discussion was mixing Cat5, Cat5E and Cat 6. All are twisted pairs. Ethernet uses two pair. I assume the LOR design uses a single pair but I don't have access to the technical specs. If that is true, crosstalk doesn't enter into the situation. Cat5E and Cat6 will handle gig connections but I don't thinkthat matters with LOR either. What is the RJ11 connection for?LOR uses a single pair. (center two pins 4,5 for data)... Compared to Ethernet we run at much lower speed so the noise issues are minor but as Max-paul said, the 5E and 6 will handle higher speeds and are in general a better wire.As far as the RJ11 cable, that question comes at a great time. That jack is for phone cable. As a segue from the talk above about noise and cables, LOR uses "noise reducing" comm chips (slew limited) and runs at moderate speeds, you can use regular flat phone cable to connect controllers. Because phone cable is not straight thru (is crossover) the RJ11 jack is provides a crossover connection. If you use a phone cable to connect LOR controllers, you put one end in a RJ11 jack and the other end into a RJ45 jack (it fits fairly well).Phone cable is certianly not as reliable as CAT5 but we have run 2000ft of flat phone cable and could get a signal through.Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjdurrant Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 Can you use a longer cable than 25ft? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffF Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 I do. I'd say 75ft is about the longest distance I go before I hit a controller and I've had no issues(except one bad end two years ago). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjdurrant Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 Ok cool.. I was going to use a 50ft Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulXmas Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 I use a 50' to first controller. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 I use black UV-resistant outdoor CAT5 cable. It's more expensive, but not only is it less visible than blue, it also should last many more seasons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max-Paul Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 texascop wrote: Valid point but the discussion was mixing Cat5, Cat5E and Cat 6. All are twisted pairs. Ethernet uses two pair. I assume the LOR design uses a single pair but I don't have access to the technical specs. If that is true, crosstalk doesn't enter into the situation. Cat5E and Cat6 will handle gig connections but I don't thinkthat matters with LOR either. What is the RJ11 connection for?True texascop,I do tend to forget the application that is at hand. Just pointing out the differences between the different cat cables.Dan,even though only one pair is carrying data per say. If the 2nd pair that carries 9VDC has a load that changes, then this can induce a noise into the data pair, right? But I regress, this is all academic.For you newbies, it is possible to still induce noise into the cat 5 cable to the point that it will cause your display to take on a mind of its own. Keep all wires carrying AC current away from the comm cables. Do not run the wires parallel unless there is at least 6" but preferable 12". That is my rule of thumb and you cant go wrong doing this to keep the noise issue minimized. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ponddude Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 Screw it all and go wireless.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max-Paul Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 Ponddude wrote: Screw it all and go wireless....Ok, how much is Dan paying you? I wonder if he will give me a piece of the action if I was to second your statement?DISCLAIMER:The above was offered up as a joke. No I do not suspect Dan of paying Ponddude. Nor do I believe that Ponddude has any motivation to suggest the ELL. Just having some fun folks.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kzaas Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 jjdurrant wrote: Can you use a longer cable than 25ft?An RS485 circuit can be run as far as 4000 ft in half duplex mode(two wire) which is what LOR uses and can be at speeds of up to 115,200 baud for that distance. I'm not sure what LOR uses for Showtime speeds but I'm pretty sure its up there.But like the others were saying be careful about distances from power cables to reduce interference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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