DIY: DA Reef Keeper Buss Cable?

[Aberrix]

So my Reef Keeper Lite controller is arriving in the mail today. I just opened up the user manual online and discovered it only comes with a 1' buss cable... *sigh* seems pretty dumb in my opinion, anyways it appears the buss cables are just standard telephone wire and rj12 connectors, can anyone confirm? Online it looks like they want $15 for a 10' cable... should be easy to figure out the pin out and simply make my own. I wired my house with Cat5e so I'm not intimidated by this, but I am just curious if anyone has every done this? I googled and didn't find much of anything...

Thanks in advance.

[hypertech]

Got pics?

[Aberrix]

via aquacave.coms webstore;

http://www.aquacave.com/images/RKBussCable1.jpg

* Cable Type: 6 Conductor Pass-through

Connections:
* RJ12 Connector

Product Link (http://www.aquacave.com/digital-aquatics-10-buss-cable-br-1x--30-0022-003-2611.html)

[David Grigor]

I can't speak for DA but my aquacontroller was just regular phone cord. There is a max length with phone cord about 10-15'. Using higher quality cables like Cat6 people have gone more like 50'.

[Aberrix]

Ok, found this (http://www.forum.digitalaquatics.com/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1103&p=9408)

apparently its just a straight-through cable, standard telephone cables are not wired as such(?) but it should be easy enough to just re-crimp if need be...

[hypertech]

I think standard phone has 4 conductors. I'm guessing any RJ12 cable you can find will work fine.

[Aberrix]

I guess the key is finding; "6p6c flatwire, straight through, low voltage signal wire, for data".

For those not brave enough to DIY; If you don't know about monoprice.com then be prepared to have your mind blown, they have the 7' cables for $0.60 cents! (Link (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10222&cs_id=1022202&p_id=938&seq=1&format=2)). I've bought a lot of stuff from monoprice.com and have never been disappointed...

I however am probably just going to try and find it locally and/or make my own...

[David Grigor]

I get all my hdmi/dvi/ethernet. Also had bought a HDTV wall mount super cheap compared to other. I've always been very happy with monoprice and usually the first place I check for pricing.

[Merkurfan]

Go to Lowes, they have 6 wire cord. you wil likely need to cut off one and and crimp on a new end. If you hold the ends next to each other you will see they are wired the exact oppiset on both sides.

I have a crimper that can be used. But I am out of ends.

the 6 wire spliters work great, but you have to get the stacked one I think they call it, the standard spliter won't fit next to the PH probe.

I spent 6 bucks at Lowes and got it so my laptop and temp probe can be connected at the same time.

I just followed the link to monoprice...

:eek2: wallmount (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=108&cp_id=10828&cs_id=1082801&p_id=3900&seq=1&format=2)

anyone else need one? group buy?

[hypertech]

I have one of those one model down for my 32" TV in the bedroom. It isn't as nice or close to the wall as an omnimount, etc but it works and its sturdy. Tough to beat for $30.

Monoprice makes me wonder why any of the other cable companies are in business because its pretty clear there is a huge markup there. You would think competition would drive the prices down.

[Aberrix]

I just followed the link to monoprice...

:eek2: wallmount (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=108&cp_id=10828&cs_id=1082801&p_id=3900&seq=1&format=2)


Yeah, I picked up my wall mount for my 47" LCD HDTV for $25! It's the exact same thing they sell at Best Buy for well over $150! At first I was a bit weary, but I actually hung myself from the wall mount and it held 200lbs so I trust it with the TV now :)

Before:
http://i29.tinypic.com/iee1ko.jpg

After:
http://i31.tinypic.com/sew01y.jpg

Thanks for the heads up about Lowes... I'm gonna swing by on my way home...

Last, anyone know if an rj11 crimper will also do rj12? :wishful thinking:

[Merkurfan]

Sometimes. if it has both holes. Plastic cheap ones sold at most stores will do both.

[N1ceDrgn]

Microplus is a good source for parts. You can also find parts there are pretty cheap. As for the crimping and so forth, it's not a big job by any means. The important thing would be to use the 1' piece you got as a guide for making your own line. Most crimpers come with a slot for crimping phone lines along with crimping RJ45's. It's not hard work, just tedious.. Good luck!