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    willbb123
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Expression 3 RFU over Cat 5 Cable?

We have an Expression 3 and the RFU. I have moved the board from the booth, into the balcony, I had enough DMX cable to run to my new position. But I don't have a long enough 6 Pin cable. Would it be possible to just get two six pin connectors and solder them onto a cat 5 cable?

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  • I would recommend using ProPlex PC248T but please also see the acceptable substitutions for Belden 9728. (Recommend the Plenum versions)

    Acceptable Cable Substitutions
    Belden 9728: Belden 9729: Belden 8471: Belden 1583A:
    Alpha 6076C (6 pair) Carol CO910 Alpha 1899C Comm Scope 5504
    Carol CO912   ProPlex PC244T Belden 5200UE West Penn 4245
    ProPlex PC248T West Penn DA2402 Carol C2405 Cat 5 or better
    West Penn DA2404S     West Penn 225    
    PLENUM Versions (when required)
    Belden 89728   Belden 89729   Belden 6200UE   Belden 1585A
    Manhattan M42893   Belden 82729     West Penn 254245
        West Penn DA252402      
        Manhattan M42891        

  • in reply to mmeskill

    Well the reason that I want to use cat 5 is because I have 100' of it sitting around. It will be alot eaiser for me to get two connectors purchased then new cable.

     

    Btw, this is going to be a temporary solution. Eventually they are going to install all the jacks at the new location. They say its gonna happen soon... but I'm really sick of having RFU jacks all over the stage, and having to use my Video node in the LX closet.

  • in reply to willbb123

    LOL

    Oaky...if you must... it should work out using Cat5 but no guaranties on my part….

    You will want to ensure you have stranded CAT5.

    RFU pin-out:

    1.    Data 1 +

    2.    Data 1 –

    3.    Data 2 +

    4.    Data 2 –

    5.    Common

    6.    +12 VDC

    As the Cat5 has 8 wires, I would recommend doubling up on pins 5 and 6 as these are the power lines.

    Sincerely,

    Mike

  • in reply to mmeskill

    Also make sure that you use a matched pair for each of the two data pairs.  For instance -- use orange and white/orange for Data 1+ and Data 1-, and green and white/green for Data 2+ and Data 2-.

  • in reply to mgarrison

    I haven't personally done this with Expression RFU's, but I want to raise the issue of conductor size. Lots of CAT5 cable is very small-gauge, but (in my case, the Obsession....) RFU can easily draw enough current to have a bad voltage drop over 100'. It's possible that your remote will be intermittent or reboot unpredictably, due to low voltage at the RFU.

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  • in reply to mgarrison

    I haven't personally done this with Expression RFU's, but I want to raise the issue of conductor size. Lots of CAT5 cable is very small-gauge, but (in my case, the Obsession....) RFU can easily draw enough current to have a bad voltage drop over 100'. It's possible that your remote will be intermittent or reboot unpredictably, due to low voltage at the RFU.

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