What was it for?

DavidR8

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I usually charge my sena with a usb cable attached to my laptop port. This cable did fry a gps before I realised what it was. I now have warranty guilt because the almost new gps was replaced by the retailer before I realised that the cable was the culprit. I had the cable carefully packed away but dug it out for the photo yesterday (and left it out). This morning I intercepted it in Cindy's hands going down the drive towards the pick-up!
What was the gps connected to when it was “fried�


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240Robert
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DavidR8 said:
I'm still not clear on if we are talking about a USB - mini-USB cord or the 12v adapter in the photo
I believe we're talking about the photo— a charger with a micro-USB (non mini-USB) connector with the USB symbol but having a 12V output instead of the expected typical 5V out.

The Sena charger with attached cable in question has a warning tag but that could be lost over time. You could use yellow or red heat shrink on the connector itself. But life is short and chargers are cheap. I'd cut the cord too. So to speak.
 

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240Robert
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That's a RJ phone jack plug!
Yes and it connects to



and a big spool of cable.




Sorry— that's the Gold Wing model. This



is the ST version (optional EU color). Apologies.
 
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ST Gui

240Robert
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Looks like the ST version got upgraded to push buttons!
LOL yes it's easier to operate with gloves on like a dedicated GPS. :rofl1:

So an RJ-11 connection is/was used on a radar detector by the factory? I have to wonder why that was the design choice. Cheap?
 

DavidR8

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LOL yes it's easier to operate with gloves on like a dedicated GPS. :rofl1:

So an RJ-11 connection is/was used on a radar detector by the factory? I have to wonder why that was the design choice. Cheap?
Seems a poor design choice as the RJ (Registered Jack) is designed for telecommunications use.
And definitely not something I'd use to run power as they are not rated for use as a power supply connector.


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Andrew Shadow

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Seems a poor design choice as the RJ (Registered Jack) is designed for telecommunications use.
And definitely not something I’d use to run power as they are not rated for use as a power supply connector.


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I wouldn't use it either as a power supply on a motorcycle. But purely with respect to providing power I think that its suitability is more an issue of the power consumption of what they are powering- after all they do power the phones.
 
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240Robert
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DavidR8 said:
Seems a poor design choice as the RJ (Registered Jack) is designed for telecommunications use.
Yep.


But purely with respect to providing power I think that its suitability is more an issue of the power consumption of what they are powering- after all they do power the phones.
True. They're only powering a radar detector. The current draw is probably less than the ringers on old telephones (for the old geezers who remember disconnecting the yellow wire so the CO wouldn't detect that your unpaid extension or three).

A radar detector would probably be plugged and unplugged much more frequently than a phone. The latch on the RJ-11 (and RJ-45) connector is a little delicate and it doesn't take much to bugger it up. And it's not the most environment friendly connector.

So what's the pinout? B+ and Gnd... Are the other two unused/paralleled? I'm still unclear— was this factory or a home-brew job?
 
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Don’t know. I disconnected it from the fuse block, pulled the wire and tossed it into the trash.
Yep.




True. They're only powering a radar detector. The current draw is probably less than the ringers on old telephones (for the old geezers who remember disconnecting the yellow wire so the CO wouldn't detect that your unpaid extension or three).

A radar detector would probably be plugged and unplugged much more frequently than a phone. The latch on the RJ-11 (and RJ-45) connector is a little delicate and it doesn't take much to bugger it up. And it's not the most environment friendly connector.

So what's the pinout? B+ and Gnd... Are the other two unused/paralleled? I'm still unclear— was this factory or a home-brew job?
 

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The RJ-11 jack has been used by Escort radar detectors for at least 15 years. Two of the pins provide power, and the other 2 provide feedback from the smartcord. This provide a second visual alert and the ability to mute the detector at the power source also. Escort provides a direct wire kit with a more robust jack for $30. I've always just used a black phone extension cord. This then gives me 2 ends to use. After about 5 years I switch out the plug end. These cords are getting harder to find nowadays.

I have used this type of connection for over 12 years to power my detector with zero issues, and the connection only gets tucked under the shelf when not in use


 
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240Robert
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mlheck said:
The RJ-11 jack has been used by Escort radar detectors for at least 15 years.
While the jack is still a little delicate for my taste I can see how it would be adequate otherwise in a car. I'm surprised it does well on a motorcycle and that it only took 33 posts to find this out. :rofl1:

I once had a radar detector in my car. It was an Escort but it used a coaxial plug. It was an elegant little unit but ultimately wasn't very useful and I've never needed one. The idea of long range sensors is fun. Maybe one day...
 
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