05-01-2009, 12:07 PM
So, the above post covers the track power buss. Now to take a look at the DCC buss. As I'm not familiar with Prodigy, I will probably use the wrong terms. However, the principles remain the same.
The Prodigy extension plate seems to be an RJ45 or possibly an RJ12 telephone/computer network cable connector. The RJ45 is an 8-wire connection whereas the RJ12 is a 6-wire connection. The RJ simply refers to a connection standard and the type of plug. You can find out more about it on my website.
Once again, you will run your DCC buss from one end of the module to the other with connections into you Prodigy extension plate that you install on the side(s) of your modules. At each end of the module, you will have a male plug that is similar to that which is on the end of your Prodigy throttle. So, now you connect the modules together. How do you connect the DCC buss from one module to the other? You simply use a "female-female" gender bender. This is a plastic connector that is about ¾"x ¾"x 1½" long with a female jack in each end. You simply insert the plug from one module into one end and the plug from the other module into the other end.
Now, a word of caution. As I don't know anything about the Prodigy system, you will have to determine the function of the wires in your DCC RJ45 (or RJ12) cable. the functions for Digitrax are shown on my website. So, what if you don't know what the functions of those wires are? Well let's take a look at the two different types of female-female gender benders you can get.
The first type of female-female gender bender is the cross-over. On an RJ 12 crossover, Pin 1 will go to Pin 6 at the other end, Pin 2 will go to Pin 5, and Pin 3 will go to Pin 4. For the RJ45 crossover, it will be a bit different. As we don't know what the function of the 6 or 8 wires in the cable are, we won't use the crossover-type of female-female gender bender.
The second type of female-female gender bender is the data-style or "straight-thru". On the RJ45 (and RJ12)data-style gender bender, Pin 1 is connected to Pin 1, Pin 2 is connected to Pin 2, Pin 3 is connected to Pin 3, Pin 4 is connected to Pin 4, etc. So, if you can find data-style female-female gender benders, you are away to the races! You will simply plug the male plug at the end of one module into one end of the female-female gender bender and the male plug at the end of the other module into the other end of the female-female gender bender.
Regardless of whether the Prodigy system is RJ12 or RJ45 (or even RJ11), you can make your own cables using a good crimper. Visit my website for more information on how to do it. Even though it's all about the Digitrax LocoNet, the same principles should apply to the Prodigy system.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.railwaybob.com/Modules/WiringRJ12s/RJ12s00Index.html">http://www.railwaybob.com/Modules/Wirin ... Index.html</a><!-- m -->
Hope this helps.
Bob M.
The Prodigy extension plate seems to be an RJ45 or possibly an RJ12 telephone/computer network cable connector. The RJ45 is an 8-wire connection whereas the RJ12 is a 6-wire connection. The RJ simply refers to a connection standard and the type of plug. You can find out more about it on my website.
Once again, you will run your DCC buss from one end of the module to the other with connections into you Prodigy extension plate that you install on the side(s) of your modules. At each end of the module, you will have a male plug that is similar to that which is on the end of your Prodigy throttle. So, now you connect the modules together. How do you connect the DCC buss from one module to the other? You simply use a "female-female" gender bender. This is a plastic connector that is about ¾"x ¾"x 1½" long with a female jack in each end. You simply insert the plug from one module into one end and the plug from the other module into the other end.
Now, a word of caution. As I don't know anything about the Prodigy system, you will have to determine the function of the wires in your DCC RJ45 (or RJ12) cable. the functions for Digitrax are shown on my website. So, what if you don't know what the functions of those wires are? Well let's take a look at the two different types of female-female gender benders you can get.
The first type of female-female gender bender is the cross-over. On an RJ 12 crossover, Pin 1 will go to Pin 6 at the other end, Pin 2 will go to Pin 5, and Pin 3 will go to Pin 4. For the RJ45 crossover, it will be a bit different. As we don't know what the function of the 6 or 8 wires in the cable are, we won't use the crossover-type of female-female gender bender.
The second type of female-female gender bender is the data-style or "straight-thru". On the RJ45 (and RJ12)data-style gender bender, Pin 1 is connected to Pin 1, Pin 2 is connected to Pin 2, Pin 3 is connected to Pin 3, Pin 4 is connected to Pin 4, etc. So, if you can find data-style female-female gender benders, you are away to the races! You will simply plug the male plug at the end of one module into one end of the female-female gender bender and the male plug at the end of the other module into the other end of the female-female gender bender.
Regardless of whether the Prodigy system is RJ12 or RJ45 (or even RJ11), you can make your own cables using a good crimper. Visit my website for more information on how to do it. Even though it's all about the Digitrax LocoNet, the same principles should apply to the Prodigy system.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.railwaybob.com/Modules/WiringRJ12s/RJ12s00Index.html">http://www.railwaybob.com/Modules/Wirin ... Index.html</a><!-- m -->
Hope this helps.
Bob M.