Phone cable to extend Temp Probe and tampa help

FuzzyZipperbaum · 10/20/2014, 07:47 AM

2 things:

I need to extend the distance on my temp probe. So I bought a small phone line connector jack, but all the phone lines I have are too big...the small tip that plugs into a wall or in this case the apex module. I can not find ANYWHERE the smaller connection phone line. I read that the smaller tips can be 2 connector instead of 4 and ordered that...but it is still too big. Any ideas where I can find the line that has a smaller tip/plug in that matches the one on the Temp probe?

Also if anyone in the Tampa area is really good with APEX...could you please contact me???

thanks

FuzzyZipperbaum · 10/20/2014, 01:00 PM

OK figured out part one.

For future reference:

The temp probe is connected to the port with a telephone cord connection. However, the standard cord today is a too big as it is an RJ13 connection. The cord that you would need (along with a coupler to extend it) is the hand set cord which uses RJ11.

Still looking for someone who rocks with apex in the Tampa area...

morty · 10/20/2014, 11:58 PM

Check out my reply on this thread:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2323361

FuzzyZipperbaum · 10/21/2014, 07:08 AM

"The modular plug at the end of the probe is a 4P4C plug. Sometimes it's called an RJ-9, RJ-10 or RJ-22, or a handset plug. If you go to Pacific Custom Cable and search for DC-102-44CD, this is a F/F coupler for RJ-9 plugs. Then if you do a search for R9SSC, this is a custom length straight-thru RJ-9 M/M cable. It is important to use straight-thru, because Neptune chose to use pins 3 and 4 for their contacts, instead of 2 and 3 (the middle two). It appears most RJ-9 handset cords reverse the wiring at each end (1 to 4, 2 to 3, etc.) so the extension would not have the right pins active when assembled if using standard pinning. It looks like everything would be $25-$30 after shipping via UPS.

Or you could cut the probe wire and solder in an extension, of course voiding the warranty.

The thermistor in the probe runs in the 4K-5K ohm range, so adding a couple of ohms in cable resistance should not noticeably affect its accuracy."

Great stuff. Bought 2 of each for 20 plus shipping and you can customize the cable to any length.

Ted_C · 10/21/2014, 12:40 PM

Hi Fuzzy - you may get more traction if you were to post your question in the TBRC here on reef central - many apex users in that sub-forum:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=72

10/20/2014, 07:47 AM	#1
FuzzyZipperbaum Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wayne Manor, Tampa Florida Posts: 474	Phone cable to extend Temp Probe and tampa help 2 things: I need to extend the distance on my temp probe. So I bought a small phone line connector jack, but all the phone lines I have are too big...the small tip that plugs into a wall or in this case the apex module. I can not find ANYWHERE the smaller connection phone line. I read that the smaller tips can be 2 connector instead of 4 and ordered that...but it is still too big. Any ideas where I can find the line that has a smaller tip/plug in that matches the one on the Temp probe? Also if anyone in the Tampa area is really good with APEX...could you please contact me??? thanks

10/20/2014, 11:58 PM	#3
morty Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Shorewood, MN Posts: 440	Check out my reply on this thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2323361 Last edited by morty; 10/21/2014 at 12:10 AM.

10/20/2014, 01:00 PM	#2
FuzzyZipperbaum Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wayne Manor, Tampa Florida Posts: 474	OK figured out part one. For future reference: The temp probe is connected to the port with a telephone cord connection. However, the standard cord today is a too big as it is an RJ13 connection. The cord that you would need (along with a coupler to extend it) is the hand set cord which uses RJ11. Still looking for someone who rocks with apex in the Tampa area...

10/21/2014, 07:08 AM	#4
FuzzyZipperbaum Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wayne Manor, Tampa Florida Posts: 474	"The modular plug at the end of the probe is a 4P4C plug. Sometimes it's called an RJ-9, RJ-10 or RJ-22, or a handset plug. If you go to Pacific Custom Cable and search for DC-102-44CD, this is a F/F coupler for RJ-9 plugs. Then if you do a search for R9SSC, this is a custom length straight-thru RJ-9 M/M cable. It is important to use straight-thru, because Neptune chose to use pins 3 and 4 for their contacts, instead of 2 and 3 (the middle two). It appears most RJ-9 handset cords reverse the wiring at each end (1 to 4, 2 to 3, etc.) so the extension would not have the right pins active when assembled if using standard pinning. It looks like everything would be $25-$30 after shipping via UPS. Or you could cut the probe wire and solder in an extension, of course voiding the warranty. The thermistor in the probe runs in the 4K-5K ohm range, so adding a couple of ohms in cable resistance should not noticeably affect its accuracy." Great stuff. Bought 2 of each for 20 plus shipping and you can customize the cable to any length.

10/21/2014, 12:40 PM	#5
Ted_C Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Clearwater FL Posts: 1,923	Hi Fuzzy - you may get more traction if you were to post your question in the TBRC here on reef central - many apex users in that sub-forum: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=72