iamjulian Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 Hello, just got second hand synscan mount but the double ended RJ-45 connector is snapped at one end, so one end clicks nicely either to hand controller or to mount, but other end does not click and can just pull out. Powered up the mount but hand controller blank pretty sure it will be this plastic connecter. Anyone know if they can be easily swapped? or am I looking at a new cable? Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Ward Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 You just need a Cat5 Patch lead , fiver or so from Maplin. Just make sure it's a 'Patch' lead not a 'Crossover' lead.I use one to extend my handset cable ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mapstar Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 Yes easily swapped just need the new plug and a crimping toolhttp://www.toolstation.com/shop/p80508http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p53092Or just a standard cat5e patch cable as a temporaryDamian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesF Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 I make up a fair few cables myself, but I think it could be something of a pain unless you also have a cable tester and so on. When you're not in practice it's easy to swap pairs over when inserting them into the RJ45 plug and not realise until it's too late and it is something of a fiddly job to start with. If you just want the one, buying it off the shelf will probably be easier, cheaper and less hassle. As Steve says, you want a "straight through" patch cable (if you can see them, the order of the colours should be the same in both plugs).If you can hold the plug into the mount with a bit of tape or something however, I'd expect it to work to the point where you could test it without too much bother. The connections are usually pretty good if the cable is fully home even if the clip isn't present. If it doesn't work it might be that whatever caused the damage to the retaining clip also damaged the connections inside the connector. Again, it's probably easiest just to replace the entire cable if that's the case.Actually, if you have a spare cable lying about to connect a PC to a router or switch that should do the job too.James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamjulian Posted October 20, 2014 Author Share Posted October 20, 2014 Thank you both! Plugged the handset directly to the 12v and it worked fine so definitely looking like the iffy RJ-45 clip. Trip to Malins in the morning then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamjulian Posted October 20, 2014 Author Share Posted October 20, 2014 James, I tried holding it manually, but could not get the handset to work. Handset does work with direct 12v power. Really hoping nothing damaged inside mount hate to think fellow astronomer would sell a dud on purpose. Fingers crossed it is just the clip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesF Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 Could well be that the connections inside the connector aren't good then. If you had a multimeter you could check them, but again, cheaper and easier to just replace the cable unless you already have the kit. The only other reason I can think of immediately that would cause it not to work is if the power supply can't provide enough current for the mount. It needs to be able to provide 12V quite easily at several amps. My recollection from other people posting is that they don't like it if the voltage drops below 12V at all.James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamjulian Posted October 20, 2014 Author Share Posted October 20, 2014 Thanks, think power pack is ok. Will grab a patch cable tomorrow. May have some kicking about at work. Will update. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamjulian Posted October 22, 2014 Author Share Posted October 22, 2014 tried a couple of cables but still not working. Going to start a new thread in a more appropriate section. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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