Connecting Smart-Serial cables.

For no good reason I have never been totally happy cutting down a CAT5 cable and clamping the ends in a terminal block. So I came up with an alternative.

 

This is an 8P8C connector and a little PCB that I had made. Actually I had a lot pc PCBs made. 50. 

 

The PCB was made small enough to fit between the rows of the 7i69, as shown above. But for a 7i76 there is not room, However a different terminal block can be used:

 

And that actually works with the first design of PCB that I had made, before realising that I had made them too large for the gap. 

 

So, I now have something like 100 PCBs (and 20 sockets) of which I will only ever use a small fraction. Does anyone want one? 

I find this far more elegant. How do I get on the list and how do we reimburse your cost?

scotth wrote:

I find this far more elegant. How do I get on the list and how do we reimburse your cost?

+1 Andy as above

FYI you can find similar stuff on eBay by searching "rj45 breakout". 

I've used stuff like  these with great success.

Roiki wrote:

I've used stuff like  these with great success.

Those don't really solve the problem of going from Mesa-card Phoenix connectors to CAT5 cable. 
 

I could use 2 or 3 of them, but it will be to much trouble for you, so i am kicking myself out of the list !

Those don't really solve the problem of going from Mesa-card Phoenix connectors to CAT5 cable.

Solved it for me.

I'd be interested in offering them in my Mesa store if you think you can send them as a sample of no value or as a gift. I assume the Cat5 plugs are standard and I can get them over here. I can PayPal you for the boards and postage.

JT

Andy,
Thanks for sending me some Smart Serial Card Connectors, what is the part number for the RJ-45 Connector? I'll try and get some on this side of the pond and finish the 20 bare boards.

JT

lcsc.com/product-detail/Ethernet-Connect...8P-B000_C386763.html

Is what I used.

Others may have the same hole pattern and pinout.