ShackLAN Network and Power Wiring
All units in the ShackLAN product line use the same connecter and
pinouts for their network connections. Older units, as well as antenna
switches and controllers, network connections are made to a 4-pin
removable terminal block using the diagram below. Only a single
connection to a power source is required as power is distributed
throughout the network. A good, inexpensive source for the network cable
is standard CAT-5 network cable. Stranded cable is recommended as solid
wire is prone to breaking under the screw connectors. A good source for
stranded CAT-5 cable is Monoprice. Parallel three wires for the +12 and
three other wires for the Ground connections. Be sure you use one of the
twisted pairs for the data connections. Only a single wire is needed for
each of the data lines as they carry no current. When using CAT-5 cable,
be sure to use the same parallel combinations on each unit in the
system.
Newer ShackLAN products use a 6-pin "RJ-12"
connector, also known as a modular telephone connector, for
interconnecting the ShackLAN units. Connections from the antenna switch
controllers to the antenna switch still use the 4-pin screw terminal
connector. Many units have a pair of connectors to facilitate
"daisy-chaining" of the units. Each unit is supplied with a 36" cable.
Be aware that 6-conductor modular telephone cables are rare in your
local variety store. Some may have 4 conductors and can be used if
necessary but many of these "cheap" cables have only 2-conductors which
will not work.
Only one ShackLAN device should be connected to your power supply
as power is distributed over the network. For early units with only the
green 4-pin connector, connect the power to the +12 and GND pins on only
one unit. Later units have a separate power jack and a modular network
connector. The power jack on the later units is a standard 2.1mm
connector with center pin positive. Voltage should be between 12 vdc and
14 vdc. Do not exceed 15 vdc as each unit has spike and surge
suppression that clamps at 16 volts. Current requirements depend on how
many devices are on the network but supply of 1 amp is adequate for most
systems. Those with multiple antenna switches should have at least 500
ma for each switch. A 36 inch power cable is supplied with each unit.
The wire with the white tracer is positive and the solid black wire is
ground.
RJ-12 modular connector
For those who wish to connect a modular cable to the green screw terminal plug here are the connections:
| White | +12 |
| Black | +12 |
| Red | Data B |
| Green | Data A |
| Yellow | Ground |
| Blue | Ground |