Mr UP5, what do you actually DO here?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I've been talking about some of the support players around my TTRAK Control story and the topic of remote UP(5 or 7) panels came up.

As nice as Duplex Wireless is, sometimes you just want to plug your Digitrax throttle in, and only being able to do that back at "home base" sucks. To that end, we wanted to build some UP panel boxes for placement around the layout.

But as we started digging into it I realized that the UP form factor kinda sucks for portability, and that got me thinking about the old reliable RJ12 splitters like these guys: https://www.amazon.com/3Female-Telephone-Splitter-Adapter-Cable/dp/B074PNCVHJ

And that, then, of course, got me thinking: what do UPs actually do?

I know, when powered, they provide power (and charging in the case of the 7s) to throttles so they don't run down their batteries. I know they also, again, when powered, help keep the line voltage up. But aside from those two things, and providing a spiltting and plug in function, is there anything special to them?

I'm thinking something like this might be JUST what we're looking for: https://www.amazon.com/CablesOnline-3-RJ12-3-Phone-1-Connection-WP-513I/dp/B093D3PH3H

[seusscaboose]

i mean... i like the orange led telling me if i got track power....

but i grant you your point

[POVC]

If all you want to do is connect a throttle to regain control if you lose radio, the second option will work just fine.  Plug a line from the command station into one side, a line to the next remote panel into the other, and use the connection on the face plate for a throttle.

As Eric noted, you lose the ability to power/charge a throttle, the track power indicator light, and you only have one throttle connection instead of two.  But at $8, the 3-1 Phone connection plate is less than half the cost of a UP7.

Tim

[Maletrain]

The 3-way splitter is even cheaper, and works as well.  It might be a little harder to mount on the facia.

Remember that the "telephone" connectors are not "straight-through" wiring.  You can get the simple 3-way version as "straight through" (= "data") or "cross-wired" (= "telephone") type.

I know that some people argue that "telephone" cables work for Digitrax throttles, but I would want to make sure I could plug other things into them as needed in the future on an ad hoc basis without worrying about the wiring details.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

The 3-way splitter is even cheaper, and works as well.  It might be a little harder to mount on the facia.

Remember that the "telephone" connectors are not "straight-through" wiring.  You can get the simple 3-way version as "straight through" (= "data") or "cross-wired" (= "telephone") type.

I know that some people argue that "telephone" cables work for Digitrax throttles, but I would want to make sure I could plug other things into them as needed in the future on an ad hoc basis without worrying about the wiring details.

Yep, I've used the 3-ways under the layout and in some other spots, but I just find them to be awkward to use as throttle jacks. There's just not a lot there to get your hands on. I think the flat mount ones will be just the ticket to handle that and provide a nice way to daisy chain em together.

[ridinshotgun]

Over on the Freemo-N facebook there was someone printing holders for those three way plugs that mounted them to the fascia.  I am pretty sure he made the file publicly accessible.  I need a handful to finish out the loco net on mine and my brothers modules.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Over on the Freemo-N facebook there was someone printing holders for those three way plugs that mounted them to the fascia.  I am pretty sure he made the file publicly accessible.  I need a handful to finish out the loco net on mine and my brothers modules.

This one?
https://www.facebook.com/groups/FreemoN/

If not, got a link? I'd like to see that.

[ridinshotgun]

This one?
https://www.facebook.com/groups/FreemoN/

If not, got a link? I'd like to see that.

Pretty sure it was in there. No link but I am sure if you post about it someone will point you to the post.