source of handset cable

5ash (Philip) · #1 01-12-2010, 09:45 PM

I am using a skywatcher electric focuser to adjust the focus on my c9.25" SCT , I have mounted the motor so that it drives a belt attached to the focus knob .However i need to increase the length of the cable from the motor to control handbox. This cable is a coiled telephone handset cable with RJ jacks on either end. I can buy a longer coiled cable but would like to source an uncoiled cable of about 3-4 metres .So far all such cables i've found are of the wider RJ jack found in the telephone to telephone wall plug cables . The handset plug is narrower , i think its an rJ10 compared to the telephone plug rj11. Can anyone suggest a source for such a cable , i dont know any telephone technicians.
regards philip

mswhin63 (Malcolm) · #2 01-12-2010, 10:29 PM

I bought one recently so I am going to order a long one from one of my suppliers so if you need one I will order a couple. I still need to check if they have the right colour and length. They are quite rare now due to flodding of cordless phone market.

I think Dick Smith have them but not sure.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #3 01-12-2010, 11:27 PM

Very hard to find the cable for these critters.

I wanted to get a longer one for my focuser (I have the Orion Accufocus) so I trotted off to Jaycar only to be told that the plug is an RJ9 and RJ9 cables are rare, and there is no extension connector made for them any more

but he offered to make me up an exptension lead with RJ9's on each end. Not much good without an extension connector though.
So I didn't get it.

Where it gets confusing is some people say it is an RJ11, some say RJ10, but I tried them and they didn't fit into the focuser body or its hand controller. I grabbed an RJ9 connector out of its packet and it fits.

mswhin63 (Malcolm) · #4 01-12-2010, 11:57 PM

I can only get white ones at the moment, 3.6m and 8m but would not trust 8m due to voltage drop across the cable. Curly cords are lossy cables.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #5 02-12-2010, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mswhin63

I can only get white ones at the moment, 3.6m and 8m but would not trust 8m due to voltage drop across the cable. Curly cords are lossy cables.

Malcolm, I use a 15m cable at the moment with my Accufocus and it runs fine. The same 9v battery has been in it for years.

mswhin63 (Malcolm) · #6 02-12-2010, 10:25 AM

I was asked for straight cable, so will be looking at this as well.

Thanks for the info. I know it is a low current motor but with new items I am always precaustious.