combining data cables.

[bdwillie]

Long story short, I have to move my workshop (portable building) and it will be a bit of a run for the data cables to go from workshop to first controllers.  Well within specs though.  I have ONE LOR enhanced network, and one DMX universe.  I have a Heavy Duty type cat6 cable that can make the run.  I would like to build adapters for both ends of the cable to plug into so I can run both the DMX and the LOR initially to the first LOR and DMX controllers.  I know that LOR uses wires 4-5-6, so I have planned to have an RJ-45 socket at the shed, and at the first controllers, with a run of three wires from the socket (4-5-6) to an RJ-45 plug (4-5-6) for the LOR, and a run of 3 wires (1-2-3) with 3 pin XLR for the DMX.  7 and 8 would have no connection    I have all the sockets and plugs already in my parts bin.  This would save me from having to make (and purchase the wire for) a new long DMX run.  Is there any reason the two could not share a common cable, as long as the individual wires did not cross and are isolated?  Also the only wires in the plugs for the LOR ends would be 4-5-6 so no weird signals would be on the plug going to the first box, and the USB adapter.  Is there any reason this wouldn't work?

[TheDucks]

32 minutes ago, bdwillie said:

Long story short, I have to move my workshop (portable building) and it will be a bit of a run for the data cables to go from workshop to first controllers.  Well within specs though.  I have ONE LOR enhanced network, and one DMX universe.  I have a Heavy Duty type cat6 cable that can make the run.  I would like to build adapters for both ends of the cable to plug into so I can run both the DMX and the LOR initially to the first LOR and DMX controllers.  I know that LOR uses wires 4-5-6, so I have planned to have an RJ-45 socket at the shed, and at the first controllers, with a run of three wires from the socket (4-5-6) to an RJ-45 plug (4-5-6) for the LOR, and a run of 3 wires (1-2-3) with 3 pin XLR for the DMX.  7 and 8 would have no connection    I have all the sockets and plugs already in my parts bin.  This would save me from having to make (and purchase the wire for) a new long DMX run.  Is there any reason the two could not share a common cable, as long as the individual wires did not cross and are isolated?  Also the only wires in the plugs for the LOR ends would be 4-5-6 so no weird signals would be on the plug going to the first box, and the USB adapter.  Is there any reason this wouldn't work?

I have made (and use CAT5) splitters.  I have 4 types. 1) Lor + 10/100 Ethernet (3-6,1-2 ), 2) 2 LOR (include Aux power 3-6) and 4 LOR (4-5 data only),

4) Was just #2  doing a flip of networks  (type #2 was at the controller, then partway down the daisy chain, #4 would be the active (used by controllers) from then on. :( not all my controllers passed thru all 8 wires)  I did use this to workaround a patch block where 4-5 went bad and I just used LOR net 2 .

All are used in PAIRS at both ends of the 'trunk cable'

The CAT6 main line (trunk) is even better as it has better cross talk immunity.  👍

Label ports Well Triple check that Ethernet is  NEVER in the wrong jax (magic smoke may happen)

Edited September 14, 2023 by TheDucks

[bdwillie]

46 minutes ago, TheDucks said:

I have made (and use CAT5) splitters.  I have 4 types. 1) Lor + 10/100 Ethernet (3-6,1-2 ), 2) 2 LOR (include Aux power 3-6) and 4 LOR (4-5 data only),

4) Was just #2  doing a flip of networks  (type #2 was at the controller, then partway down the daisy chain, #4 would be the active (used by controllers) from then on. :( not all my controllers passed thru all 8 wires)  I did use this to workaround a patch block where 4-5 went bad and I just used LOR net 2 .

All are used in PAIRS at both ends of the 'trunk cable'

The CAT6 main line (trunk) is even better as it has better cross talk immunity.  👍

Label ports Well Triple check that Ethernet is  NEVER in the wrong jax (magic smoke may happen)

Thank you sir!

 

[Steven]

It should work fine. The standard ANSI E1.11-2008, section 7.3, table 4 specifies the way DMX is to be connected if using 8-position modular connectors (what we call RJ-45 connectors). In that table, it clearly shows 2 different networks on one cable, the first using pins 1&2 with ground on pin 7.

I recommend using pins 3,4,5,6 in their original LOR configuration (data on 4&5, ground on 6, aux power on 3), and use the ANSI standard for the DMX network (data on 1&2, and ground on pin 7). Doing it that way means that you could run your master (combined) cable directly through a LOR controller, and pick up the DMX pins on the other side.

[bdwillie]

On 9/17/2023 at 12:15 AM, Steven said:

It should work fine. The standard ANSI E1.11-2008, section 7.3, table 4 specifies the way DMX is to be connected if using 8-position modular connectors (what we call RJ-45 connectors). In that table, it clearly shows 2 different networks on one cable, the first using pins 1&2 with ground on pin 7.

I recommend using pins 3,4,5,6 in their original LOR configuration (data on 4&5, ground on 6, aux power on 3), and use the ANSI standard for the DMX network (data on 1&2, and ground on pin 7). Doing it that way means that you could run your master (combined) cable directly through a LOR controller, and pick up the DMX pins on the other side.

Cool!  Thanks for the info!

[bdwillie]

On 9/17/2023 at 12:15 AM, Steven said:

It should work fine. The standard ANSI E1.11-2008, section 7.3, table 4 specifies the way DMX is to be connected if using 8-position modular connectors (what we call RJ-45 connectors). In that table, it clearly shows 2 different networks on one cable, the first using pins 1&2 with ground on pin 7.

I recommend using pins 3,4,5,6 in their original LOR configuration (data on 4&5, ground on 6, aux power on 3), and use the ANSI standard for the DMX network (data on 1&2, and ground on pin 7). Doing it that way means that you could run your master (combined) cable directly through a LOR controller, and pick up the DMX pins on the other side.

Thanks for the ANSI link, just got through going over it.  Will print for future reference. 

Just guessing that on the LOR data lines 4 is positive data, and 5 is negative data?  Did a search and didn't see it.  Sorry to be picking your brain so much!

I was looking to make a breakout for the two signals, never thought that pins 1-2-and 7 would just pass through the LOR controller!  With that being the case I may just convert my DMX boxes to an RJ-45 with 3-4-5-6 just passing through, and then I would only need one data cable!  With my setup, the dual cables ran next to each other as the controllers all share common placement.  Thanks again!

 

Edited September 24, 2023 by bdwillie

[TheDucks]

I just checked my Pixie4 and CMB24. (I used a VDV scout)

The Pixie DOES NOT pass thru 1-2,7-8

The CMB Flips 3-6, does not pass 7-8 but does 1-2 (LOR jumper setting)

[bdwillie]

9 minutes ago, TheDucks said:

The Pixie DOES NOT pass thru 1-2,7-8

OOO  Thanks!  I do have a pixie 4 in the mix

[TheDucks]

I just tried the DMX jumper setting on the CMB24 (odd results) BUT when I put them back in LOR, both 1-2, 7-8 pass thru ( 3-6 is still flipped)

I have multiple dual controller boxes: CMB24 and a Pixie. 10W Floods and smart nodes

Edited September 24, 2023 by TheDucks

[bdwillie]

On 9/24/2023 at 3:15 PM, TheDucks said:

I just tried the DMX jumper setting on the CMB24 (odd results) BUT when I put them back in LOR, both 1-2, 7-8 pass thru ( 3-6 is still flipped)

Thanks!  Added to my notes.  Don't have a CMB24 but you never know when one will make it into the loop!