What Cable To Use With a DCC Handheld Controller?


M

Marlin338MX

Well-Known Member
I have the MRC Tech 6 sound controller 2.0 and a Tech 6 handheld controller. The handheld controller came with a 4ft long cable with RJ45 connectors. I obviously need a longer cable to connect from my cab to my handheld if I want to "walk around" my train table. What type of cable do I need to buy so I can actually walk around my layout beyond the 4 foot reach of my factory supplied cable? I'm thinking 25 feet would be the right length for my layout.
 
Probably four pair cable. Look at your existing cable ends very close and see how many wires are in the connector. I would think getting a 25' four pair would be easy. Think Ethernet cable, so Walmart?
 
Marlin338MX said:
I have the MRC Tech 6 sound controller 2.0 and a Tech 6 handheld controller. The handheld controller came with a 4ft long cable with RJ45 connectors. I obviously need a longer cable to connect from my cab to my handheld if I want to "walk around" my train table. What type of cable do I need to buy so I can actually walk around my layout beyond the 4 foot reach of my factory supplied cable? I'm thinking 25 feet would be the right length for my layout.
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Todd: 25' of cable laying on the floor will cause nothing but grief. Can you install 'patch panels' every 8 - 10' or so? You system would have to handle the 'disconnected' part though. If you can't, go into a radio store ( CB, UHF ) and see what the cost for a long length of a pre-coiled cable is; or Google is you friend. Ethernet cable is cheap but again you have cable laying on the floor. If you go that route, get 'patch' cable vs 'riser'. Patch cable has stranded conductors and bends better than solid strand riser although it is tougher getting the wire in the ends.

Later
 
ctclibby said:
Todd: 25' of cable laying on the floor will cause nothing but grief. Can you install 'patch panels' every 8 - 10' or so? You system would have to handle the 'disconnected' part though. If you can't, go into a radio store ( CB, UHF ) and see what the cost for a long length of a pre-coiled cable is; or Google is you friend. Ethernet cable is cheap but again you have cable laying on the floor. If you go that route, get 'patch' cable vs 'riser'. Patch cable has stranded conductors and bends better than solid strand riser although it is tougher getting the wire in the ends.

Later
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Thank you for the suggestions. I'll continue to research my options.
 
OP wrote:
"I'll continue to research my options."

My opinion only, but "the option" you ought to be looking at now is wifi wireless control.

I'd make suggestions, but they won't be "MRC".
(so perhaps I'd better keep 'em to myself...)
 
J.Albert said:
OP wrote:
"I'll continue to research my options."

My opinion only, but "the option" you ought to be looking at now is wifi wireless control.

I'd make suggestions, but they won't be "MRC".
(so perhaps I'd better keep 'em to myself...)
Click to expand...

I understand there are better DCC systems out there, and I'm not offended by that fact at all. I also love the idea of a wireless controller.

The only reason I chose the MRC Tech 6 is because I have a DC layout, with mostly older DC locos, some new or newer DCC ready locos, and only 2 dual mode DC/DCC locos. I'm a long way from converting to an all DCC layout, if I ever do.

My current layout is a 16ft x 11ft "L" shape, 5-6ft wide. I am in the process of adding another 4ft x 8ft section to turn it into a "U" shape layout. So buying the Tech 6 handheld controller was my simplest and most cost effective option for a walk around controller. Especially since I already had the Tech 6 cab.

Thank you for your opinion and feedback, much appreciated!
 
If it's really an RJ45 cable, then a coiled RJ45 cable is a better choice than just a long run of uncoiled cable; something like this. My current layout is similarly U-shaped (more like a reverse J right now), 9.5x23 feet, and I have a utility throttle on a 12' coiled cable in the middle of the room, along with a couple of wireless throttles; despite having to sling the cable around things occasionally, it's generally a lot easier to handle (and less of a trip hazard) than 12' of non-coiled cable floating around--it retracts to about 6' which is enough to keep it off the ground when hung up in its holder.
 
William Burg said:
If it's really an RJ45 cable, then a coiled RJ45 cable is a better choice than just a long run of uncoiled cable; something like this. My current layout is similarly U-shaped (more like a reverse J right now), 9.5x23 feet, and I have a utility throttle on a 12' coiled cable in the middle of the room, along with a couple of wireless throttles; despite having to sling the cable around things occasionally, it's generally a lot easier to handle (and less of a trip hazard) than 12' of non-coiled cable floating around--it retracts to about 6' which is enough to keep it off the ground when hung up in its holder.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the information and the link.

I guess my layout is technically a J shape, 16ft x 14ft x 8ft
PXL_20250106_173738661.PANO.jpg
 
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