Greg's Model Railroad Controller
PCB #011

Serial Communication Cable

CAB BASE to NETWORK

To connect your controller to your TMCC system, you will need to build one single adapter cable that has a DB9M on one end and an RJ45 on the other end.  I typically make this cable by cutting the end off of a standard RJ45 straight eithernet cable.  These can be purchased at any computer store.
Strip the cut end and solder as indicated in the Excel file below.
DB9M to RJ45 Cable Excel File


 
 
DB9M  to RJ-45
DB9M
RJ-45
Color 1
Color 2
Info
nc
1
bl
wh/or
na
nc
2
or
or
na
5
3
bk
wh/gn
Gnd
5
4
rd
bl
Gnd
2
5
gn
wh/bl
TMCC Serial
3
6
yel
gn
na
nc
7
br
wh/br
na
nc
8
wh
br
na

The normal cable only needs two wires.


 
Normal Cable
DB9M
RJ-45
5
4
2
5

Basically you only need two wires.  Ground and the serial command wire. I have been wiring both Serial In and Serial Out for future use.

NETWORK CARD TO CARD

You can easily tool up to make your own modular cables.  Use RJ45 connectors and regular flat telephone cable.  Since we only use the four middle pins of the 8 pin RJ45, you can just crimp the RJ45 to the 4 conductor telephone flat cable.  Be careful to watch your polarity.  Install both ends exactly the same.

You can also use premade standard CAT5 Network "Straight" Cables.