Replacement head connector

[Vortex]

Looks like I'm gonna need to crimp a new connector for one of my heads. The connector got a little damaged when my installed pulled it through my car's firewall. It worked for a while, but currently the ALP only sees 3 heads but all 4 respond. Weird, I know. I haven't tested the setup yet to see how well it jams, but I'd rather it fully recognize all 4 heads.

The connectors that plug into the CPU use ethernet-looking plugs, but they're 6-pin, not 8. They're wider than RJ11 phone jacks. They look more like RJ45 ethernet plugs. My local Home Depot only carries 8 pin RJ45 cables. I haven't seen the 6 pin ones anywhere.

Does anyone have a source online on where I could find replacement connectors to crimp onto the end of my current cable?

[awj223]

Is it a RJ25 connector? You can buy them on Digikey.

I don't know about you, but if my installer screwed up the connector, I'd make them fix what they messed up.

[AirMoore]

...
I don't know about you, but if my installer screwed up the connector, I'd make them fix what they messed up.

x2 The point of an installer is so that you don't have to deal with these issues. I would (kindly) explain to them what is happening, and see if they are willing to resolve it. Most any reputable installer should.

[Vortex]

Yeah I went back there and he offered to fix it. Apparently when plastic like this is injection molded, if you reheat it it goes back to its original shape. If you take a closer look at this ethernet cable, you'll see pieces of plastic that separate each pin.



When he pulled the connector through the slot, it bent those pieces of plastic sideways so that the pins didn't fully make contact with the connectors in the CPU. I used a pocket knife to realign them and it worked for a while (ALP saw 4 heads and they functioned perfectly in testing), but in time problems started to arise again and it would start throwing errors with not being able to see the head.

Anyways, I took it to him and he briefly took a lighter to the plastic which presumably helped the plastic return to its original shape.

Having him fix the problem is definitely the way to go about it. I said that I'd reach out and find out what's going on with the ALP being able to see and respond to the head but not actually seeing it when I have it relearn how many heads it can see. Odd to see the ALP not see the head officially and then still respond to laser with the head.

So long story short, as long as I know what type of connector to get and/or have a replacement one available, it should be pretty straightforward to put a new one on.

Thanks for the info about it being an RJ25 connector and where I can get one.

[RedRocket]

Yeah I went back there and he offered to fix it. Apparently when plastic like this is injection molded, if you reheat it it goes back to its original shape. If you take a closer look at this ethernet cable, you'll see pieces of plastic that separate each pin.



When he pulled the connector through the slot, it bent those pieces of plastic sideways so that the pins didn't fully make contact with the connectors in the CPU. I used a pocket knife to realign them and it worked for a while (ALP saw 4 heads and they functioned perfectly in testing), but in time problems started to arise again and it would start throwing errors with not being able to see the head.--Anyone this unprofessional would never get my biz again! You ALWAYS protect the connector,I certainly do for ANY job I've ever done.The fact that the conn. got damaged in the manner it did confirms to me great force was applied when pulling on the wire when routing it.It's likely the internal wires are for sure stress broken & frayed. The internal 24 or 26 gauge stranded wire probably has multiple individual broken strands. I would replace the whole cable.

Anyways, I took it to him and he briefly took a lighter to the plastic which presumably helped the plastic return to its original shape. - Can't fix stupid w/ such an amateurish repair attempt !

Having him fix the problem is definitely the way to go about it. - The hell it is,having him pay for a new cable & installing yourself is. I said that I'd reach out and find out what's going on with the ALP being able to see and respond to the head but not actually seeing it when I have it relearn how many heads it can see. Odd to see the ALP not see the head officially and then still respond to laser with the head.

So long story short, as long as I know what type of connector to get and/or have a replacement one available, it should be pretty straightforward to put a new one on.

Thanks for the info about it being an RJ25 connector and where I can get one.

The receiving & transmitting functions are not multiplexed on the same wire lines,rather they are isolated from each other & that is why you have the receive malfunctions. Whereas when an incoming threat is detected by one of the heads the CPU commands the Fronts or Rears pairs to fire together.

[awj223]

The receiving & transmitting functions are not multiplexed on the same wire lines,rather they are isolated from each other & that is why you have the receive malfunctions. Whereas when an incoming threat is detected by one of the heads the CPU commands the Fronts or Rears pairs to fire together.

So 2 pins for Rx, 2 pins for Tx, and 2 pins to test whether the head is there?

[AirMoore]

Things happen, as long as the installer is willing to correct the mistake, that's the most important part. Even professionals (in any capacity) are not infallible.

It's how they respond that matters most, sounds like a good outcome here. We got some good info too boot! All is well that ends well.

Generally, whenever I am fishing these things through I wrap them to protect them. (Now that I plan to install my ALP tomorrow, watch me eat my words)

[Vortex]

Yeah I'm not at all concerned about it. It'll definitely get taken care of. I'm just trying to figure out what connector is needed since there's still something wonky going on despite the fact that the head responds to laser.

Good luck to you on your install! I hope it all goes well for you! Definitely take the time to wrap your connectors when fishing them through, lol.

[Mirage]

So the reason you are still able to somewhat work is because ALP heads go through a startup process that basically checks the connectivity and establishes what you have connected. Once this is complete it periodically checks again to make you aware if there is a problem however regardless of what you have plugged in the pins on the cpu are still going to behave as if you have all heads plugged in. Therefore even if you have a bad receiver connection it will still try to jam. Basically the pins on the cpu are hot regardless of what configuration you have. I've tested this with my bench setup in which I change the head configuration all the time. I would say 90% of the time I start it up i get a head error but the bench testing reveals they are still firing. Again its more of a notification to you that something is wrong or has changed.

[specifics]

Pointed sharpie cap and some black tabe would have avoided that.... some installers do need a bit more common sense at times but I guess the personalization goes away at times when the product/car don't have a "personal value."