RJ45 jacks?

[Dennis Cherry]

Here comes the monkey wrench.

I recommend using the screw terminals Eurostyle blocks that can be plugged into the PCB at either 90 or 180 degree orientation to the board.

You can have the best of both worlds that way.

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Sorry about the fuzzy picture.

[pk]

No RJ45 failures for me in 2 seasons.  Keep the RJ45's.  It is easier to use them than soldering custom cables.  If I have problems, I would go with the 4-core connectors from Ray.

[duane.mosley]

i say keep the rj45. it's easy, quick, and after  2 years now,  I've not had any problems. I don't spray them with anything, I don't cover them, and I've had no issues. I live in northern Kentucky where rain is plentiful in late November and early December so they get plenty of moisture. not quite like you guys in the north west but enough. that's just my opinion from my experience.

[t.jo13]

I would suggest keeping them  keeps everything simple and if someone is short a couple of cables you can just go to the local hardware store, target, ect. and just plug them in and you are done. I use dialectric grease in all connection to avoid any corrosion or moisture issues. cleans off easily with elec. contact cleaner and gives me a good connection

[keitha43]

The waterproof RJ45 connectors dont work very well. On the rainbow floods I built years ago, when I went to tear down the display on a lot of them the RJ45 jacks had melted and/or failed. I switched to the 4 core waterproof plugs and had no more problems. That being said, I didn't have a problem with the SSC RJ45 jacks but then I had them in cheap plastic Tupperware type containers with grooves for the cords cut out. My vote is to keep RJ45 jacks on the boards themselves and 4 core pigtails on the other end as an option for the individual to decide if he wants it.

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[n1ist]

What about a dual footprint that can take either an RJ45 or a 100mil header/screw terminal?  That way you can use whichever you prefer?
/mike

[Rainlover]

I am probably going to jinx myself, but I have not had a single problem with the RJ45 connectors. I have had 14 of them exposed to the elements for 3 seasons. I do spray them with a synthetic lubricant when I assemble them.

John

[kernal]

I think the easiest way to try and keep up with this is do a poll.  ??  Lots of great input.  Only problem i had was with the loose fit from cat5 to dmx dongle at the dongle. 

[jnealand]

I have not had any RJ45 failures, but my all my SSCs on the house are up under the eaves and do not get direct water exposure.  The SSCs in the yard have a long cat5 cable on them and go straight to the hubs so again no RJ45s exposed to direct water contact.  I have yet to try using a 4 pin waterproof connector except with a DSC and that is going from the controller to the lights, not to the hub.

[onesmoothhead]

I have had zero issues with the connectors.  I have used them over and over and no issues.  I have a couple of Aether II out 365 days a year and still work just fine.  I think simple is important. 

[caretaker]

I'll throw my 2 cents in. I did not have any RJ45 failures this year but on every exposed connection I used No-Olox a antix oxidizing grease used for aluminum wire electrical connections. Since I am switching my megatree over to a Zeus 16 I will no longer have to worry about the RJ45 connections for that and the rest I am going to remove the RJ45 connection at the SSC and solder the Cat6 right to the board since I make my own custom cables any way.

Bottom line keep it simple but if possible make it flexible.

[PJNMCT]

I wish we could get away from screw terminals and go to spring clamp terminals.

Oh and I've not had problems with rj45s.

-Paul

[plaberge]

I like the RJ45s inside the waterproof cases but I had lots of failures with exposed ones. Once I figured out the issue - only on the ones connected to the SCCs -  it was pretty easy replace the connectors with waterproof ones.

My vote: keep them BUT provide clear directions (as part of the SCC build manual or near it) on how to optionally install waterproof 4 pin connectors both on the SCC and at the end of a pre-made cable for SSC use in a wet location.