Quick disconnect Box via cat5's

lostreception · 06-16-2005, 11:40 AM

I was thingking of making a quick disconnect box for running all my wires
(kind of a snake box i would call it) where there were 2 project boxes on either end x amount of calbe between the boxes and ide ps2 db9 usb and other connectors including vga and hopefully the xenarc 20 pin adapter pin on both sides of this "snake"
this way when working on my car i can have a quick disconnect of the wires and possibly run alot less spagetti (not the forum member) from the front to rear of the vehicle by wire tying say 20 cat 5 cables together and having access points on both sides with room for expansion. Alomost how telephone jacks are a bunch of extra wires there waiing to add new lines just tap in and go.
aside from amp draws on the gague of wires and alot of money possibly spent on connectors anyone know of similar projects or see any potential problems with this

if a can snake one large wire and have all my connections done i think this is a BIG advantage

evandude · 06-16-2005, 11:51 AM

run any power lines separately, and use the cat5 for signal lines...

you also have to worry about signal quality... for instance, USB cables are shielded, and if you go running them through 8-conductor cat5 alongside other signals, things might not behave very well.

and... have fun making all the wiring harnesses to go from regular cables to cat5 and back... I've gotten quite sick of making similar ones (on a much smaller scale)... in the time it takes to make all the adapters you could have easily just run separate wires...

personally I think just disconnecting all the cables from the computer is easier anyway, and at least in my car, I can run a new wire pretty easily, so I don't consider it a big problem. but it all depends on the car, and personal preference...

FociMan · 06-16-2005, 11:57 AM

I think it would work for a lot of the wiring required in a car install. But as you rightly point out the current carrying capacity of these cables is going to be very low. It should handle VGA, USB etc.

Rickertsen2 · 06-16-2005, 11:57 AM

this really isn't a wonderful solution. Many things use differential signaling and need to be on the same pair, require sheilding etc. If you do choose to do this, then why not just run one big cable? It seems to defeat the purpose if you are running may cables.

lostreception · 06-16-2005, 12:38 PM

thanks for the feedback i suppose ill scrap that idea and run some more wires

Bugbyte · 06-16-2005, 01:42 PM

Build a dock. Then you can use all of the real cables.

84RegalRider · 06-17-2005, 04:34 AM

printer cable 25 conductors. very clean, making a 10 switch box with it.

SnyperBob · 06-17-2005, 11:33 PM

I basically use the cat5 just like you say in my car for low voltage things. Like 5 volts or less. I use one cat5 for the power on button and the power LED and reset buttons. You can combine all three into one cat5 cable and run them to where you want them.

I use the quick connects from Radio Shack, that are typically used for remote control car battery packs. They are very durable, large enough to actually use, and hold up to extended use. You can see a picture of it in the photo album for my car.

You can see it at www.mobile-effects.com
Go to the Photo Gallery->Mobile-Effects Installs/Projects->Aspire Install-2003

It's picture number 73 on page 9 in that directory. I spliced into the wires in the case, then ran pigtails out of the back. I just disconnect them easily when I need to remove the machine.

SnyperBob · 06-17-2005, 11:47 PM

Just added some more pics of the wire splicing I did. Same album, last page.

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