Help with custom hardwire cable, please. :)

**CuStOm** · 03-14-2006, 01:19 PM

I made my own hardwire cable today and something is wack. To preface a little, being that I am a newb here, I am an electrician by trade and am very familiar with DC voltage, meter use and proper wiring methods. I am new at wiring detectors and am no electronics guru.

I measured the voltage being provided by the included smart cord and the two center pins provide the 12Vdc whereas Red is + and Green is -.
I purchased a phone cable and wired it up using the appropriate end that would make it color matched. I used my fuse panel (switched leg from the unused "phone" fuse) and used the screw above my fuse box as a ground (It measured 12ohms to battery negative, so a great ground). The two outside wires I clipped off at the power end making sure they were not touching or grounded and shrink wrapped the end up nice.

I have the appropriate voltage on the appropriate pins as verified with my fluke but the RX65 does not turn on. If I plug in the included cigarrete power cord the unit works perfectly. There must be something else going on with that smart plug that inhibits me from using a home made cable??? If anyone has any insight I would love to hear it.
Thanks!

**Sparkknocker** · 03-14-2006, 01:57 PM

tricky...I don't know what to tell you. I would just spend 15 bucks and get a hard wire kit and call her a day

**spankyaf** · 03-14-2006, 02:22 PM

Making sure the RX-65 is turned "on" wiggle the phone plug in the detector.

**CuStOm** · 03-14-2006, 03:18 PM

I tried the wiggle trick.
Thanks

**spankyaf** · 03-14-2006, 03:31 PM

Well if you're sure that you've got voltage and ground properly the only thing I can think of is you've got a bad phone plug.

**amoney** · 03-14-2006, 04:10 PM

Didn't I once read that you have to reverse the wires at one end???

**SmaartAasSaabr** · 03-14-2006, 04:30 PM

Does the pin order match with the original plug? You have the 2 wires in the centre that's what I remember it being.

Perhaps red is + and green is - but they are reversed. Or perhaps the plug design is in some way obstructing the RX65 pins from contacting well.

**CuStOm** · 03-14-2006, 07:12 PM

Reversing the wires at one end is because Tx and Rx on a phone cord are swapped through the plug. Since the application only calls for one end of the RJ11 to be used this is not necessary.

When I hold the smart plugs RJ11 in my hand with the clasp down the Red is on the left and the green on the right (of the two center pins). I used the end of the phone cord that did the same. My voltage is accurate from this perspective.
I just tried the other RJ11 on the cable that I cut in half and swapped the colors accordingly so the voltage is supplying the proper pins and same deal. So unless both RJ11's are fubar then there is something in that damn wire that is robbing my electrons! haha....
****it. I'm going to Best Buy and picking up the direct wire smart cable.
Cheers

**asianfire** · 03-14-2006, 07:38 PM

Dudes, it doesn't matter what colors are what color (or, if they are crossed). What matters is if the orginal pin is + then the "hard wire" pin in the same position must match the same polarity and voltage. Therefore, if the pin in the far right is + then make the new cord the same.

However, perhaps the rj11 jack a slightly different, not allowing contact with the RD's internal pins.

**411** · 03-14-2006, 08:06 PM

I would make a continuity check

1 ) with the original cable : + of the lighter plug and the final pin = take note of the final position on the headphone jack , the one that goes in the rd.

Same thing with the -

2 ) repeat with your homemade connector.

You should be able to find the culprit .

Can you post pics ?